2025-12-08 – Weekly Graphic Design News : Chasing a smell with color

Last week in our Graphic Design community, discussions centered around practical design workflows and the challenges designers face with evolving technology. Members shared experiences and advice on handling texture files for clients, debated the quirks of software tools, and explored innovative ways to evoke sensory experiences through color. There was also lively conversation about effective courses for enhancing campaign visuals and strategies for ensuring mobile readability in design.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Editable texture workflow for client files
This thread delves into best practices for preparing texture files that clients can easily edit, a must-know for freelancers and agency designers alike.
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F9 betrayed me again
A relatable discussion about the frustrations and unexpected surprises with the F9 function key, sparking a broader conversation on design software quirks.
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Chasing a smell with color
An intriguing exploration of how color can be used to represent scent in visual design, demonstrating the power of multisensory techniques.
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Which courses actually boost campaign visuals
Community members weigh in on the most effective courses for enhancing visual campaigns, separating the genuinely useful from the merely flashy.
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Keeping hero art readable on mobile
Insights into maintaining readability and impact for hero images across devices, a crucial aspect of responsive design.
Read more here


Wishing you a productive week ahead. Keep sharing your experiences and learning from each other.

When I’m trying to “evoke sensory experiences through color,” I build a low-saturation palette in HSL and add a 3–5% monochromatic noise layer in Photoshop so the print reads more tactile, like warm and dusty. Caveat: soft-proof CMYK on uncoated before sharing comps because that noise can clump and muddy on cheaper stock.

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I’ve had good results in Photoshop by switching to LAB, dropping the b channel 3–6 points and nudging a +1 to get that “wet asphalt” smell, then View > Proof Colors to CMYK so the print doesn’t flatten it. For a “citrus peel” note I flip it — raise b a hair and keep saturation modest so it reads tactile, not neon. Caveat: on wide‑gamut monitors it’ll look punchier than what GRACoL will deliver in print.

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