GRAPHIC DESIGN NOTES UNIT CODE: IT/CU/ICT/CR/9/6

Topic 1: Identify Graphic Design Concepts

Graphic design: is the art of combining images, text and ideas to create works that
capture a viewer's attention to tell a specific message. Graphic designers use various
elements such as typography, colour, images, and layout to create a visual
representation of a message. The purpose of graphic design is to effectively
communicate an idea and evoke an emotional response from the viewer using visual
elements.

Graphic designer: is an artist who creates visual text and imagery. They design
creative content for online campaigns, print ads, websites, and even videos.

 Graphic design equipment

 Computer: computer is the central hub for graphic designers. It is used for
creating, editing, and storing digital files. Graphic design software like Adobe
Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other tools run on
computers, allowing designers to manipulate images, create illustrations, and
design layouts.
 Scanner: is used to convert physical documents, photographs, or artwork into
digital images. Graphic designers use scanners to capture textures,
illustrations, or sketches and incorporate them into their digital projects.

Flatbed scanners are common for documents and flat artwork, while drum scanners
are used for high-resolution scanning of photographs and transparencies.

Flatbed scanners (HP scan-jet-pro-

Drum scanners
3500)

Printer: are essential for producing physical copies of graphic designs. They are used
for creating everything from business cards and brochures to posters and packaging.
Colour accuracy and high resolution are crucial for achieving professional-quality
prints.
Types: Inkjet printers are common for high-quality photo prints, while laser printers are often
used for text-heavy documents and large print runs.

Laser printer
Inkjet printer

 Camera: are used by graphic designers to capture original photographs or to

document physical objects and scenes for use in design projects. This could
include photographing products for advertisements or capturing textures for
digital design work.

Types: DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) cameras are popular for their versatility and
high image quality, but smaller digital cameras or even smartphone cameras can also be
used effectively.

 Digital Tablet: also known as graphics tablets or drawing tablets, allow

designers to create digital illustrations or manipulate images more intuitively
than with a mouse. They often come with a stylus, providing a natural and
precise drawing experience.

graphic tablet

graphics tablet
Pressure Sensitivity: Many tablets offer pressure sensitivity, meaning the harder you
press with the stylus, the thicker or darker the line, replicating traditional drawing
techniques.

 Application of graphic design

1. Corporate Branding:
 Logo Design: Graphic designers play a crucial role in creating logos that
represent a company's identity and values. Logos are essential for brand
recognition and establishing a visual identity.
 Brand Guidelines: Designers develop brand guidelines that include colour
schemes, typography, and other visual elements. This ensures consistency
across all brand materials, fostering a unified and recognizable brand image.

 Marketing Collateral: Graphic designers create various materials like business

cards, letterheads, and brochures, maintaining a cohesive brand aesthetic.
2. Packaging:
 Package Design: Graphic designers contribute to the visual appeal and
functionality of product packaging. They consider factors such as target
audience, shelf visibility, and brand consistency to create eye-catching and
informative packaging.
 Labelling: Designers work on labels for products, ensuring they convey
necessary information while aligning with the overall brand image.
 Structural Design: In collaboration with structural designers, graphic designers
contribute to the physical form and layout of the packaging to enhance both
aesthetics and usability.
3. Printed Materials:
 Brochures and Flyers: Graphic designers create visually appealing
brochures and flyers for marketing purposes. They focus on layout,
typography, and imagery to effectively convey information.
 Posters and Banners: Designers create large-format graphics for
promotional materials, events, and advertising campaigns.
 Editorial Design: Graphic designers work on magazines, newspapers,
and other publications, ensuring a visually pleasing layout that
complements the content.
4. Online Art:
  Website Design: Graphic designers contribute to the visual aspects of
websites, ensuring a user-friendly and visually engaging experience. This
includes designing layouts, icons, and other visual elements.
 Social Media Graphics: Designers create graphics for social media platforms
to enhance brand presence and engagement. This includes profile images,
cover photos, and posts.
 Digital Advertising: Graphic designers contribute to the creation of digital
ads, considering the specific requirements of online platforms and optimizing
visuals for different screen sizes.

Topic 2: Identify Elements and Principles of Graphic

Design
Design elements could be considered as the marks we make on the surface or page.
The 8 elements of Graphic Designing are Line, Shape, Colour, Texture, Space, Size, Value
and Typography.

Colour

The colour is the most important element of a design because it offers the most
powerful impact at a single glance. Colour is obvious and does not need graphics skills
to be noticed.

Hue, Saturation, Shade, Tint, Tone or Chroma are all parts of colour. People process
colour in the artwork subconsciously. Colour is used to generate emotions, define
significance, create graphic interest and unify branding.
To establish mood, build appeal, create interest and get a message across, colour is
the most powerful tool in your graphic design arsenal. The Colour Wheel is a great
tool for a graphic designing artist and you will use it repeatedly to create a great piece
of artwork.

Line

The Line is usually in every design, The lines can be long, red, straight, thin, blue,
dashed, short etc. the lines can create different effects and visual impact. The colour has
an impact too on the lines.
Lines in graphic design can be used for a wide range of purposes: connecting content,
stressing a word or phrase, forming patterns etc. Lines can be vertical, horizontal,
diagonal, circular, patterned, free form or solid. They are used as roadmaps to direct the
viewer’s eye movements.

Shape

The Shape or the form is the second most used element of a design. There can be
circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, or any other shape. Like lines shape also have
impact on human mind.

The three basic types of shapes are Geometric (Circles, Squares, Triangles etc.),
Natural (leaves, mountains, people etc.) and Abstract (icons, stylizations and graphic
representations). They give volume to the forms in a design.

You don’t always have to use similar shapes in your design work, instead you can mix
it up and put them together making sure that the placement of them keeps your piece
balanced. Sometimes adding just a small shape to a blank area will make the piece look
more balanced.

Space

The space which also refers to "whitespace" is also called negative space. If there is a
lot of negative space in your web design, it will be light and express open feeling.

The lack of white space will turn your design into a clutter design. It can turn a design
to your advantage and get the best out of your layout. Space is the area around the
elements in a design, which is used to separate or group information. You must learn to
use it effectively to define importance and lead the eye to where you want it to travel.

Texture

The textures were not very popular a couple of years ago. Texture styles include paper, stone,
concrete, brick etc. Textures can also be subtle or pronounced and can be used sparingly and
liberally.

Textures can totally change a design and offer a totally different visual impact. Texture
relates to the surface of an object, where it creates an illusion of a surface that is not flat
or smooth. By using texture, we can add depth and visual interest in graphic design. It
enhances a sense of feel, especially with two-dimensional images.

In graphic design, texture can take the form of layers or progression of text, lines or
shapes, which can be applied in the form of pattern or through the choice of printable
surface.
 Value

Value is how light or dark an area looks in a design. It is everything from the darkest
of blacks through to the brightest of whites. If you learn to use values in the right
manner, it will add enormous depth, contrast and emphasis to your design.

 Principles of Graphic design

Principles of design are the directions or guidelines for mixing the elements. Principles
included are balance, rhythm, emphasis, scale, proportion, and unity or harmony.

i. Balance: refers to the distribution of visual weight in a design. It can be

symmetrical (evenly balanced) or asymmetrical (uneven balance), and it helps
create a sense of stability and harmony in the composition.
ii. Contrast: involves highlighting the differences between elements in a design.
This could include variations in colour, size, shape, or other visual qualities.
Contrast adds visual interest and helps important elements stand out.
iii. Emphasis (Dominance): is the principle of making certain elements more
prominent to draw attention. This can be achieved through colour, size,
contrast, or positioning, and it guides the viewer's eye to key focal points in the
design.
iv. Unity (Harmony): refers to the cohesive relationship between all elements in a
design. It ensures that the design feels like a single, integrated piece rather than
a collection of unrelated parts. Consistency in style, colour, and typography
contributes to unity.
v. Repetition (Rhythm): involves the consistent use of visual elements such as
colour, shape, or pattern throughout a design. This creates a sense of rhythm
 and helps establish a visual connection between different parts of the
composition.
vi. Proximity (Alignment): deals with the placement of elements in relation
to each other. Items that are related or belong together should be grouped
closely, while adequate spacing can be used to differentiate unrelated
elements. Alignment contributes to a clean and organized layout.
vii. Hierarchy: is the organization of elements to convey their importance or
order of significance. It helps guide the viewer's eye through the design,
emphasizing key information and creating a logical flow.
viii. Scale (Proportion): Scale refers to the size of elements in a design relative to
each other. Playing with scale can create visual interest and hierarchy, drawing
attention to specific elements and establishing a sense of proportion.
ix. Pattern: refers to the repetition of visual elements, such as shapes, colours,
lines, or textures, in a consistent and organized way. Creating patterns can add
visual interest, rhythm, and unity to a design.
TOPIC 3: Apply Typography Techniques
Typography: is the art of arranging letters and text in a way that makes the copy legible,
clear, and visually appealing to the reader.

It involves font style, appearance, and structure, which aims to elicit certain emotions and
convey specific messages. In short, typography is what brings the text to life.

In graphic design, the term "anatomy" is metaphorically used to describe the structural
components, elements, and organization of a design. It refers to the underlying framework
that makes up the visual composition and layout of a graphic piece.

Application of Anatomy in Graphic Design:

& Grid Systems:

Grids form the backbone of many graphic designs. The use of a grid system provides a
structured framework for arranging elements on a page. This helps in maintaining
consistency, alignment, and a sense of order in the design.

& Layout Structure:

The anatomy of a design includes the arrangement of elements such as text, images, and other
graphic elements. Understanding how to structure these elements ensures a balanced and
visually appealing layout.

& Hierarchy:

An essential aspect of design anatomy is establishing hierarchy. This involves organizing

elements in a way that guides the viewer's eye through the design, emphasizing
important information and creating a logical flow.

& Typography:

Typography plays a crucial role in design anatomy. This includes the choice of fonts, font
sizes, line spacing, and the arrangement of text elements. Proper typographic anatomy
contributes to readability and visual coherence.

& Colour Scheme:

The use of colour is part of the anatomy of a design. A well-thought-out colour scheme
contributes to the overall aesthetic and can evoke specific emotions or convey particular
messages.
 • Whitespace:

Whitespace, or negative space, is an integral part of design anatomy. It refers to the empty
space around and between elements. Effective use of whitespace helps in preventing visual
clutter and allows the viewer to focus on key elements.

& Alignment and Proximity:

Elements in a design should be aligned purposefully, and their proximity to one another
should be considered. Proper alignment and proximity contribute to a clean and organized
design.

& Consistency:

Consistency in design elements, such as colours, fonts, and styles, is part of the anatomy. It
ensures a cohesive and professional appearance across various parts of a design.

 Types of Typography
1. Old Style:

Characteristics: This type of typography is inspired by the letterforms of medieval scribes. It

features a diagonal stress axis, bracketed serifs, and a relatively low contrast between thick
and thin strokes.

Examples: Garamond, Caslon.

2. Transitional:

Characteristics: Transitional typefaces emerged in the 18th century as a transition between

Old Style and Modern. They have higher contrast between thick and thin strokes and
more vertical stress.

Examples: Baskerville, Times New Roman.

3. Modern:

Characteristics: Modern typefaces, also known as Didone, originated in the late 18th century.
They have high contrast between thick and thin strokes, vertical stress, and often have a
more geometric appearance. Examples: Bodoni, Didot.

4. Slab Serif:

Characteristics: Slab Serifs have thick, block-like serifs, often with little to no bracketing.
They are known for their bold and sturdy appearance. Examples: Rockwell, Courier.
 5. Gothic (Sans-serif):

Characteristics: Gothic typefaces, also known as sans-serif, lack serifs and often have a more
straightforward and modern appearance. They are characterized by uniform stroke widths.

Examples: Helvetica, Arial.

Typography Techniques

 Kern upside down:

Kerning is the adjustment of space between characters in a font. It's unlikely that kerning
would be done upside down, as kerning typically refers to adjusting the space between
characters horizontally. If you have a specific context or application for "kern upside down,"
please provide more details.

 Blur it:

Blurring text is a graphic design technique often used for artistic or stylistic effects.
However, it's important to note that blurring can make text harder to read, so it's typically not
used for body text. Instead, it might be applied to headlines or decorative text to create a
sense of depth or motion.

 Kern with balloons:

Again, the term "kern with balloons" doesn't have a conventional meaning in typography.
Kerning is usually done with characters in a horizontal arrangement. If you have more
information or a specific context, I can provide a more accurate explanation.

 Rough our headlines:

It seems like there might be a typo in your question ("Rough our headlines"). If you intended
to ask about roughening or distressing headlines, that could refer to a design trend where
headlines or text are intentionally made to look imperfect or weathered. This technique can
add a rustic or vintage feel to the typography.
TOPIC 4: Create and Edit Images
Image: refers to a visual representation of something.

Creating and editing images is a versatile and essential aspect of digital content creation. This
topic involves using various tools and techniques to produce visually appealing graphics,
manipulate existing images, and enhance overall visual communication.

Types of Graphic design software

 Adobe Photoshop:

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful raster graphics editor developed by Adobe Inc. It is widely
used for photo editing, image manipulation, and graphic design. Photoshop supports a
vast array of tools and features, including layers, filters, masks, and various effects. It is a
go-to software for professionals in the design and photography industries.

 Adobe InDesign:

Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing software also developed by Adobe Inc. It is designed
for creating print and digital media, including magazines, brochures, posters, and eBooks.
InDesign is known for its advanced typography and layout capabilities, making it an essential
tool for designers who focus on publishing and editorial projects.

 Corel Draw:

CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor developed by the Canadian software company

Corel Corporation. It is commonly used for illustration, logo design, and layout creation.
CorelDRAW supports both vector and bitmap editing and is known for its user-friendly
interface. It is particularly popular among designers who work on projects like signage,
branding, and marketing materials.

 [Link]:

[Link] is a free and user-friendly raster graphics editor for Windows. While not as
feature-rich as professional tools like Photoshop, it provides a range of essential tools for
image editing and manipulation. [Link] is a good option for users who need a
straightforward and lightweight graphics editing software without the complexity of
more advanced programs.
  Types of image file types

When working with digital photos, graphic design, logos, and other digital images, raster and
vector are the two most common file types you’ll encounter.

 Raster file

Raster files are images built from pixels — tiny colour squares that, in great quantity, can form
highly detailed images such as photographs. The more pixels an image has, the higher quality it
will be, and vice versa. The number of pixels in an image depends on the file type (for example,
JPEG, GIF, or PNG).

 Vector file

Vector files use mathematical equations, lines, and curves with fixed points on a grid to produce
an image. There are no pixels in a vector file. A vector file’s mathematical formulas capture
shape, border, and fill colour to build an image. Because the mathematical formula recalibrates to
any size, you can scale a vector image up or down without impacting its quality.

What is the difference between raster and vector files?

Raster and vector files are the two most popular formats used for visual content. They represent
images in very different ways, so there’s a lot to consider when deciding which one to use. Some
of the main differences between raster and vector include:

1. Resolution.

One of the main differences between raster and vector files is their resolution. The resolution of a
raster file is referred to in DPI (dots per inch) or PPI (pixels per inch). If you zoom in or expand
the size of a raster image, you start to see the individual pixels.

Raster files display a wider array of colours, permit greater colour editing, and show finer light
and shading than vectors — but they lose image quality when resized. An easy way to tell if an
image is raster or vector is to increase its size. If the image becomes blurred or pixelated, it’s
most likely a raster file.

With vector image files, resolution is not an issue. You can resize, rescale, and reshape vectors
infinitely without losing any image quality. Vector files are popular for images that need to
appear in a wide variety of sizes, like a logo that needs to fit on both a business card and a
billboard.

2. Uses.
Digital photographs are usually raster files. Many digital cameras automatically shoot and save
photos as raster files — and the images you see online are often rasters, too. Raster files are also
commonly used for editing images, photos, and graphics.

Vector files work better for digital illustrations, complex graphics, and logos. That’s because the
resolution of vectors remains the same when resized, making them suitable for a wide variety of
printed formats.

3. File sizes.

Raster files are generally larger than vector files. They can contain millions of pixels and
incredibly high levels of detail. Their large size can impact device storage space and slow
down page loading speeds on the web. However, you can compress raster files for storage and
web optimization to make sharing faster and easier.

Vector files are much more lightweight than raster files, containing only the mathematical
formulas that determine the design.

4. Compatibility and conversion.

You can open raster files in many different apps and web browsers, making them easy to view,
edit, and share. Vector files aren’t as accessible — many vector file types require specialized
software to open and edit the files. Though it can present some challenges, it’s possible to convert
vector files to raster or raster files to vector when needed.

File and extension types.

Your software will usually determine your file type, whether it’s raster or vector. There are
multiple types and extensions of both raster and vector files, each with its own features.
Learn more about some of the common ones:

o RASTER FILE TYPES

File type Extension

Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) .jpg

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) .png

Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) .gif

Bitmap Image File (BMP) .bmp

Adobe Photoshop File (PSD) .psd

 o VECTOR FILE TYPES.

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) .svg

Enhanced MetaFile (EMF) .emf
PostScript (PS) .ps
Adobe Illustrator File (AI) .ai
Encapsulated PostScript File (EPS) .eps

 Creation of letterforms, lines of type, and body

The creation of letterforms, lines of type, and body copy in graphic design involves the careful
consideration of typography, which is the art and technique of arranging type to make written
language legible, readable, and visually appealing. Here's an overview of each element:

 Letterforms:

Typography: Typography is the design and arrangement of typefaces (fonts), aiming to make
language visible. It involves selecting appropriate fonts and adjusting their size, spacing, and style
to convey a specific message or evoke a particular mood.

Typefaces: A typeface is a set of characters with a consistent design. Examples include Times New
Roman, Helvetica, and Arial. Designers choose typefaces based on the project's requirements and
the message they want to convey.
Font Styles: Fonts can have different styles, such as regular, bold, italic, and variations in between.
Designers use these styles to create emphasis, hierarchy, and contrast in their layouts.

 Lines of Type:

Leading: Leading refers to the vertical space between lines of text. Adjusting leading can
affect the readability and overall aesthetics of a block of text. Proper leading ensures that lines
of type are spaced optimally for readability.

Tracking and Kerning: Tracking is the overall spacing between characters in a block of text,
while kerning is the adjustment of space between individual pairs of characters. Fine-tuning
tracking and kerning help achieve a visually balanced and harmonious look in the text.

Body Copy:

Hierarchy: Establishing a hierarchy in body copy involves using different font sizes, weights, and
styles to guide the reader through the content. Headings, subheadings, and body text should be
clearly differentiated to enhance readability.
Alignment: Deciding how text aligns within a layout (left, centre, right, or justified) contributes to
the overall visual appeal and readability. Alignment choices should align with the design's
aesthetic and purpose.

Column Layout: For longer bodies of text, designers often use columns to break up the content
and make it more manageable for the reader. The number and width of columns can affect the
flow and readability of the body copy.

 Techniques of image manipulation

Image manipulation involves altering or enhancing images using various techniques. Colour
blending, image merging, texture use, and proportion adjustments are important aspects of this
process. Here are some techniques for each:

& Colour Blending:

 Layer Blending Modes: Experiment with blending modes like Overlay, Multiply,
Screen, etc., to achieve different colour effects.

Use blending modes selectively on specific layers to control the impact on different
elements.

 Gradient Maps: Apply gradient maps to map colours from one range to another,
creating interesting colour toning effects.

Adjust opacity and blending modes for subtler or more pronounced results.

 Selective Colour Adjustment:

Use tools like selective colour adjustment layers to target specific colours and adjust their
intensity.

Fine-tune individual colour channels to achieve the desired colour balance.

 Colour Grading: Apply colour grading techniques to enhance the overall mood of the
image.

Experiment with colour wheels or colour lookup tables (LUTs) to achieve specific looks.

& Image Merging:

 Layer Masking: Use layer masks to blend different images seamlessly.

Refine masks with soft brushes or gradient tools to create smooth transitions.

 Focus Stacking: Combine multiple images with different focus points to create a final
image with greater depth of field.
 Use tools like Adobe Photoshop's Auto-Blend Layers for automated focus stacking.

 Panorama Stitching: Combine multiple images to create a panoramic view.

Use software or tools that automatically align and blend the images for a cohesive
result.

& Texture Use:

 Texture Overlay: Apply textures to specific areas using blending modes.

Adjust opacity to control the intensity of the texture.

 Texture Mapping: Use textures to map onto 3D objects or surfaces for added realism.

Experiment with displacement maps for more intricate texture interactions.

 Brush Textures: Utilize custom brushes with textures for painting effects.

Adjust brush settings for texture size, scattering, and blending.

& Proportion Adjustments:

 Transform Tools: Use scaling, rotating, and skewing tools to adjust the proportion of
specific elements.
Maintain aspect ratios to prevent distortion.

 Content-Aware Scaling:

Employ content-aware scaling to resize images while preserving important details. This is

useful for adjusting proportions without compromising the main subject.

& Perspective Correction: Correct perspective distortions caused by camera angles.

Tools like the perspective crop or transform can be handy for this purpose.

 Creation of Images using Adobe photoshop

Adobe Photoshop: is a software application for image editing and photo retouching for use on Windows
or MacOS computers.

Adobe Photoshop is a user-friendly, most powerful, and widely used image/graphics editing
software developed by Adobe Inc. Adobe Photoshop is basically a raster-based image editing
software. With multiple layers and features such as masking, image wrapping tools, alpha
compositing, fluid camera rotation, and file display tools, and much more advanced tools,
Photoshop can edit and compose raster images.

HOW TO CREATE A NEW IMAGE IN PHOTOSHOP

 i. Choose File→New.
ii. Type a name for the new file.
iii. In the New dialog box, select a preset image category from the Preset pop-up menu. If you
selected an image category from the Preset menu in
iv. Select your desired preset Size for that category.
 Features of Photoshop

With every new version, Photoshop is developed, from a simple small photo editing tool to an
industry-leading software that changed the global graphic designing and multimedia industries
standards. Every new version has some new features introduced, but there are a few tools that are
being tested with time and remain sturdy and highly important to the designers. Here are some
tools and features that are proved as the best of Adobe Photoshop:

i. Layers: With the layers palette, we can draw/design different elements of your design
independently in layers and then merge them up as per the order of display. It helps and
enhances the power of the designer to control the flow of the design.
ii. Colour channels: In the colour channels palette we can look at particular shades that are
included in the picture. In the RGB mode, we get red, green, and blue. However, when we
move to a different colour space, these colour channels will be different, such as LAB or
CMYK.
iii. Shapes: By holding the original quality, a shape layer can be easily edited with the help
of a pen tool or a direct selection tool. The colours, gradients, and many other effects
within the shape path can be changed anytime.
iv. Pen tool: One of the important features of Photoshop is a Pen tool. It is used for drawing
paths along with the anchor points, the creative scope it provides is limitless. The pen tool
is so flexible that the designer can draw any shape or edit the existing shapes as well as he
is using his bare hand. We have a good amount of control through placing the anchor points
in the right places.
v. Hue and saturation: The Hue and Saturation feature is one of the most important in
Photoshop. It enables the designer/editor to adjust the hue and saturation colours, change
the richness of colours and their intensity in the photos. This will make the image look
more natural and realistic.
vi. Selection Tools: The set of selection tools Photoshop offers is the most common and
widely used feature by designers. Selection tools made life easy for photographers,
graphic designers and every professional that is associated with multimedia the detail we
obtain is fabulous.
vii. Vector Mask: A layer mask looks like a dry and non-responsive subject. Once the subject
is grasped it starts to use the black and white colours within the masking layer thumbnail.
The layer masks create a masking portion of an object by using the shades of Gray, i.e,
grayscale colour combination. When the masking is done, the area of the object under the
layer mask will disappear.
viii. Slice Tool: A slice tool provides the feature to snip the images into slices. These images
basically used in the development of web technology so the loading time of a website can
be optimized.
ix. Retouching Tools: Retouching tools are a combination of various tools such as Stamp tool,
Pattern Stamp tool, Healing tool, Spot Healing tool, Patch tool, Redeye tool, and much
more. These tools are used to correct images at the initial stages.
x. 3D: The feature Photoshop 3D, we can directly import the 3-Dimensional objects into
Photoshop and draw the textures directly on the Photoshop canvas. We can make a series of
images related to the 3D object and choose the pose and facial expressions from the animation
within Photoshop.

 Menu bars in Photoshop

& File: The first menu given in the menu bar of Adobe Photoshop is File Menu. There are
many options in this menu such as New, Open, Save, Revert, Place, Import, Export,
Automate and also File Info, etc.
& Edit: The 2nd tab that is given up in the menu bar of Adobe Photoshop stands for Edit
Menu. Edit Menu is divided into 4 main sections. History, Clipboard, Transform, and
Setting.
& Image: The 3rd tab Image menu has features for dealing with images and canvas. Using
the options of resizing files, adjust curves and levels, duplicating pictures, as well as
rotating photos.
 & Layer: 4th tab menu has controls for working with your document/image layers. We can
play with the layers with options like add, delete layers, create layer masks, and merge
layers, among other things.
& Type: 5th tab menu has added in Variation CS6 of Photoshop that is Type. A lot of the
commands on the Type menu could be discovered on the Options bar, as well as the
Paragraph and also Personality panels.
& Select: 6th menu items let you grab layers, pick colours, use Quick Mask mode, Deselect,
Reselect, Inverse, Deselect Layers, Colour Range, Refine Mask, Transform Selection, and
more.
& Filter: The 7th menu filter is packed with all kinds of affects you can apply to your
documents/images. It groups filter by type: Artistic, Blur, Sharpen, and many more.
& 3D: This 8th menu includes tools for working with 3-D images, like rendering and
painting on 3-D objects.
& View: The 9th menu gives us all sorts of different ways of looking at designs/images,
from zooming in or out to adding guides and rulers.
& Window: The 10th menu is used to change what we want to see in the Photoshop
window. It lets you arrange your open documents, view or hide panels, and much
more.
 File formats supported in Photoshop

There are several file types found in Photoshop, some of them that most commonly used are:

JPEG – Joint Photographic Expert Group: It is the most popular and widely used file format
for digital photos.

PNG – Portable Network Graphics: PNG is a great choice for saving digital photos as high-
quality originals.

GIF – Graphics Interchange Format: GIF allows you to create simple animations. All web browsers
support GIF files and their small file sizes load quickly on the screen.

PDF – Portable Document Format: PDF files used for viewing, sharing, and printing the documents.

TIFF – Tagged Image File Format: TIFF files can be very large, as compared with JPEG files.
TIFF is the widely accepted standard for images destined for commercial printing.

PSD – Photoshop Document: PSD is Photoshop’s native file format. It is a file format of our working
file in Photoshop.

Usage of Adobe Photoshop:

The most basic use of Photoshop is photo editing, graphic editing, website theme designing, poster
designing.
1. Photo Editing: Almost every photographer needs software for editing photos. Editing the photo
involves actions,

o To adjust the colour levels of the photo.

o Resize and crop the photos.
o Touch-up photos, by erasing, changing the objects in the photo.
o Applying filters.
o Change the format of the photo.
o A designer can use their skills and transform the image.

2. UI content designing: Designing the User Interface content, for example, Logo’s, Buttons,
Task Bar Design, GIF’s, etc.,

3. Graphics Design: Using paintbrushes, effects like drop shadows, water, fire, and many
more effects. The graphic designer can produce high-quality graphics.

4. Social Media Content: Social media handler designs high-quality attractive posts, stories for
their public engagement using various tools available in Photoshop.

5. Animation: Using Photoshop, we can make simple graphics animation. We have to create a set
of layers and then activate the animation panel from the timeline. We can export our animation in
the form of a GIF.

 Advantages of Photoshop
o Photoshop is available on multiple platforms.
o Features of editing different types of image format.
o Professional Colour Grading support.
o Advanced layer management.
o Professional Plug-Ins, Filters, Textures, and Overlays.
o Merging images and graphics.
o Supports Video Clips and Animation Layers.
o Has Cloud Storage.
o OpenType SVG Fonts and Emoji Support.

 Disadvantages of Photoshop
o Beginners may find the interface complicated to learn.
o Untested beta versions are sometimes released and may cause the software to crash.
o A progress monitoring facility is not available in few tools.
 o Less support for vector graphics design.
o The software consumes more disk space while running.

Topic 5: Perform Layout design

A layout design: refers to the overall appearance and the connection among graphic elements to
achieve a smooth message flow to maximize performance. In other words, it’s playing puzzle with
graphic elements until you have a piece of art. But looking pretty is not enough, your design must
be user-friendly, versatile, unique, and easy to understand.

Proportion in design: refers to the relative size of the elements in the design. In graphic design,
you may not necessarily need to worry about the actual size of a specific design element, but you
may be much more deeply concerned with the relationship of specific elements to other elements
within the design itself.
  Application of proportion
1. Visual Harmony and Balance:

At the heart of proportion lies the quest for visual harmony and balance. When elements within a
design are proportioned well, they complement each other, creating a sense of unity and
equilibrium. On the other hand, poor proportion disrupts the flow and leads to visual clutter,
making it challenging for the viewer to fully engage with the design.

2. Emphasizing Focal Points:

Effective use of proportion allows designers to emphasize key focal points in their work. By
carefully controlling the size and placement of elements, designers can direct the viewer’s gaze and
convey the intended message with greater impact. This skilful manipulation of proportion helps
guide the viewer’s experience, ensuring they absorb the essential aspects of the design.

3. Evoking Emotional Responses:

Proportion has a unique ability to evoke emotional responses in the audience. Well- proportioned
designs often create a sense of comfort, stability, and order, fostering positive emotions.
Conversely, deliberately unbalanced proportions can spark excitement, tension, or intrigue,
depending on the design’s objectives. Understanding the emotional impact of proportion allows
designers to tailor their work to resonate with specific audiences.

4. Enhancing Readability and Comprehension:

In typography and graphic design, proportion plays a crucial role in enhancing readability
and comprehension. Properly proportioned fonts and visual elements contribute to ease of
reading and understanding. Whether in print media or digital interfaces, an appropriate balance
of proportions ensures that the information is effectively conveyed to the audience.

5. Spatial Relationships and Flow:

Proportion defines the spatial relationships between elements, influencing how the viewer’s eye
moves through the design. By organizing elements in proportionate sizes, designers can create a
natural flow that guides the viewer from one point to another seamlessly. This fluidity enhances
the user experience and engagement, making the design more user-friendly and enjoyable.

6. Building Brand Recognition:

Consistency in proportion is essential in building a strong brand identity. Brands with a well-
defined proportionate design language are instantly recognizable and leave a lasting impression on
consumers. Proportion becomes an integral part of a brand’s visual DNA, helping it stand out in a
crowded marketplace.
 7. Pushing Boundaries and Innovation:

Proportion can be used creatively to challenge conventional design norms and explore new possibilities.
Innovatively applying proportion can lead to groundbreaking and unique visual solutions, setting new
standards for the industry and pushing the boundaries of design.

In conclusion, proportion is the magic ingredient that transforms a mere arrangement of elements
into a captivating and impactful design. From creating visual harmony to guiding the audience’s
gaze and evoking emotions, proportion’s influence is undeniable.

 Unified design

Unified design blends all its parts to make a single impression. Unity is an overarching ideal of
successful visual design that most of the other principles support. For example, achieving a
balanced design through the distribution of visual weight contributes to unity. Consistent styles of
imagery and a consistent colour palette also create a unified design.

There are two different kinds of unity: conceptual and visual.

“Conceptual unity” is the idea that everything in a design should work together to convey a single
message or idea. An excellent example of this is the logo for the United Nations, which uses the same
font for all its languages. This type of unity is often established using only colour, shape, or typography
without any need for symbolism or illustration.
“Visual unity” is achieved when everything in a design looks like it belongs together because it
shares a standard style or theme. This can be done through colour and shape alone or by combining
them with other visual elements like illustration and photography.

 Typographic tools

As more and more designers understand the benefits of a content-first approach, crafting good
typography becomes an essential part of the design process.

But working with typography can be hard especially if you’re relatively new to the field. In the
attempt to make the task more comfortable for you I’ve prepared this list. All tools mentioned in
this article aim to help you design better products by setting your content in the perfect light.

All tools are combined in the following sections:

& Fonts
& Font pairing and styling
& Scale
& Inspiration
A. Fonts
The process of working on typography starts with the fonts you choose for your design. Your font
choice plays a vital role in the message you send to your audience.

 Google Fonts

Looking for free fonts? One of the best places to find them is Google Fonts, a robust directory of
more than 850 fonts that are available to use for free. Without a search, it would be possible to
get lost in such a huge collection. Hopefully, Google Fonts allows you search for fonts according
to categories and visual properties (such as thickness).

 Calligraphry

Didn’t find a right font for your product? No problem! Now you can create your own font. Calligraphr is
a tool for converting your handwriting into fully functional vector fonts.
  FontFace Ninja

Have you ever visited a site and wondered, “What font is this?” Of course, you can open
developers tools in your browser and find out the font, but there’s a much easier way.
Fontface Ninja is a free browser extension for Google Chrome that let you inspect and bookmark
any fonts on any website.

 Emotype

Emotype makes it easy to find fonts based on the emotions you want to convey on your website.
Fonts are hand selected and sorted into four groups of emotions: confident, welcoming, unique,
and neutral.

B. Font Pairing and Styling

Picking the perfect fonts for a project can be a huge challenge. Quite often you need more than
one font, and it means that you need to find a perfect pairing. Fonts need to complement each
other to create a pleasant reading experience.

 Archetypeapp

Looking for a tool that can help you find a compatible pair of fonts for your project? Use
Archetypeapp to find them. Archetypeapp lets designers create consistent typography styling and
spacing live, right in the browser.
  Font Joy

Font Joy’s slogan is ‘Font pairing made simple.’ The tool applies deep learning to font pairing.
But as a user, you won’t have any problem using the service. All you need to do to pair fonts is to
Click (Generate) to create a new font pairing, (Lock) to lock fonts that you want to keep, and
(Edit) to choose a font manually.

C. Scales

Once you’ve found a perfect font pair, it’s time to start working on your hierarchy — the size
relationships between different heading levels and body text. Proper hierarchy improves readability
by making it easier for people to understand the relationships between different types of content on
your site.
  Material Design Type Scale

The Material Design type scale includes a range of contrasting styles that support the needs of
your product and its content. The type scale is a combination of 13 styles that are supported by
the type system. It contains reusable categories of text, each with an intended application and
meaning.

 Modularscale

This calculator makes a set of numbers called a modular scale, which you use like a ruler.

 Type Scale

Type Scale is another simple scale calculator. All you need to do to use it is to enter the base font-
size for paragraph text and then select from the surrounding values for headers and small text.
 D. Inspiration and Fun

Inspiration plays a crucial role in the process of product design. Without inspiration, it’s really hard to create an exciting
product. That’s why you as a designer should spend enough time getting inspiration from different things, not necessarily
digital design.
 Typewolf

Typewolf is an excellent resource for designers who want to see how real type work for websites
and posters. Visit a ‘Site of the day’ section to get a daily dose of inspiration.

 Typographic posters

Typographic posters is a curated collection of posters. The site provides excellent examples of
posters from all around the world.
  Kerntype

Kerntype is not a tool; it’s a game. The rules are simple — your mission is to achieve pleasant
and readable text by distributing the space between letters. This simple and exiting game will
make your better design.