Technique 3: High-light

High-light can balance shadow, and it is usually closed to the edge of the object where it is near the source of light. Most of the time, High-light is neglected, because you can hardly see and feel it if it is properly used. However not all scenarios are suitable for the existence of High-light, a subtle High-light can make a huge difference on a high-optical surface. The shaper the High-light, the stronger the glossy effect it creates.

To appreciate the High-lights, we need to enlarge the details. When you are designing for High-light, it is a good practice to enlarge your design draft to double the size, because the original size can not show the detail clearly.

Examples on the Web:
Icon Dock and Newism: Both used semi-transparent white colour to create High-light effect, even though it is not very visible, but it gives a strong glossy feeling.

Apple: We should be very familiar with Apple website, but you probably did not notice the High-light at the bottom of the small navigation menu. It is this high-light, giving the menu the sense of 3D.

To be continued…

Edited By Dan Li