Here’s a quick design tip on design from issue 44 of Before&After Magazine.
Every person, object and element in your photo—any photo—has a story. That’s why we love, love, love this technique. Instead of one caption to generalize everything, write five, seven, ten, that unpack the detail. It’s fun to do, quick to read, and perfect for our modern, big-screen, sound-bite world. The captions can be atop the photo, off to the side, or both.
CreativePro members can download original content from Before&After Magazine, a beloved resource that taught a generation of newly minted digital designers how to design and communicate effectively with the written word. See our archive here.
© John McWade/Before&After Magazine, courtesy of Gaye Anne McWade.
This article was last modified on January 4, 2026
This article was first published on August 2, 2024
Commenting is easier and faster when you're logged in!
Recommended for you
Before&After Design Tip: Create a Natural Backdrop from Recycled Parts
Stuck working a photo that doesn’t have a natural place for text? Here's how to...
Before&After Design Tip: A Logotype That Looks Like What It Says!
Look how Coca-Cola created this simple typographic device—four letters, each ski...
Before&After: Design a Pocket-Size Brochure
Eight small pages unfold into an informative, letter-size sheet.