Beyond adding interest, a drop shadow is a simple way to add dimension to an otherwise flat object on the page. Drop shadows make objects — boxes, text, or complex graphics — seem to float above or in front of the background.
You might dismiss drop shadows as contrived or overused. Or you might settle for the default black box shadow of your favorite software. But it only takes a few extra minutes (usually) to make a more realistic drop shadow that preserves the 3D illusion they were originally intended to create.
