There are no hard and fast rules on how many images on a page is too many. But unless you’re dealing with a product catalog or a yearbook, chances are that if there are more than three or four images the page is too graphics-heavy.
Too Many Images
Image overload generally comes from using too many bits of scattered clip art, decorative bullets, boxes or borders, and rules (lines) all on the same page. Strip most of that out. It’s unnecessary.
Too Much Variation
When it is necessary to use many images, unify them. Make them all the same size. Use the same border. Line them up vertically or horizontally. Use a single style of dingbat for bullets throughout the page, throughout the publication.
No Hierarchy
Text is not treated all the same — headlines get prominence through size and placement, for example. Prioritize clip art in the same way. Give a single image prominence through size and placement. Unify the remaining images elsewhere on the page using the techniques previously described.
Too Many Themes
Many times the creator of a piece will feel the necessity to use a piece of clip art to illustrate or point out every idea or concept on the page.
For example, a party announcement might have a phone icon by the phone number, a house or envelope next to the address, a clock beside the time, and several pieces of clip art for cakes, streamers, party hats, presents, or whatever and a confetti border around the whole page. While the idea may be to emphasize each of those key pieces of information, it’s overkill.
