What is Graphic Design?
Graphic design is a creative process that combines art and technology to communicate ideas.
Graphic Designers
Graphic designers work with:
● Drawn, painted, photographed, or computer-generated images.
● Designing letterforms for typefaces seen in movie credits, TV ads, books, magazines,
menus, and computer screens.
Artwork
● Created either manually or digitally nowadays.
● Artistic way of giving an information to the reader with only looking at the artwork
Types of Graphic Design
1. Image-Based Design
○ Photographic, painted, drawn, or graphically rendered.
○ Used when a picture conveys a message better than words.
2. -Based Design
○ Relies heavily on words to communicate a message.
○ Focuses on the appearance and meaning of words.
3. Image and Type Design
○ Combines images and typography to deliver messages.
○ Requires balancing letterforms and images effectively.
4. Symbols, Logos, and Logotypes
○ Symbols: Abstract representations of ideas or identities.
○ Logos: Symbols that combine image and type.
○ Logotypes: Symbols composed entirely of type.
History of Graphic Design
William Addison Dwiggins
● Coined the term Graphic Design in 1922.
● Known for designing books, illustrations, and typography.
● Example: Stenciled Ornament and Illustration (1930).
Graphic Design Process
1. Briefing
○ Initial discussion between client and designer.
2. Design
○ Involves trial and error, with regular communication between designer and client.
3. Artwork
○ Designer prepares files and provides a "proof" or draft of the completed project.
4. Production
○ Final files are saved in various formats (PSD, PDF, JPG) and delivered to the
client.
Elements of Graphic Design
1. Lines
○ Divides space and directs focus.
○ In design, it’s any two connected points.
2. Color
○ Sets the mood of the artwork.
○ Can serve as a background or enhance other elements.
3. Shapes
○ Defined by lines or colors, often used to emphasize areas.
4. Space
○ Includes negative space to create balance and new shapes.
5. Texture
○ Refers to the visual or tactile quality of elements.
○ Enhances other components like patterns and color.
6. Typography
○ The art of arranging type for readability and aesthetic appeal.
7. Scale
○ Focuses on the size of objects and their proportional relationship to each other.
Principles of Graphic Design
1. Balance
○ Symmetrical: Equal on both sides.
○ Asymmetrical: Different but balanced.
○ Radial: Arranged around a central point.
2. Emphasis
○ Creates focus by contrasting elements in color, texture, or size.
3. Movement
○ Guides the viewer's eye through the artwork.
4. Repetition
○ Reinforces unity and creates an active feel in design.
5. Pattern
○ Repeated elements or symbols throughout the design.
6. Proportion
○ Ensures all parts relate well to each other, creating unity.
7. Rhythm
○ Uses repeated elements to create a sense of movement or flow.
8. Variety
○ Engages viewers with diverse elements and guides the eye.
9. Unity
○ Achieves harmony and completeness in design.
What Makes a Good Design?
● A good design achieves balance, emphasizes key elements, and communicates
effectively.
7 Basic Elements of Graphic Design
1. Lines
● In freehand drawing, a line is the stroke of a pencil.
● In graphic design, it is any two connected points.
● Purpose: Lines are useful for dividing space and drawing the viewer's eye to a specific
location.
2. Color
● Color can stand alone as a background or be applied to other elements like lines,
shapes, textures, or typography.
● Purpose: It creates the mood within a piece of artwork.
3. Shapes
● Defined by boundaries such as lines or colors.
● Purpose: Often used to emphasize a specific portion of the page.
4. Space
● Negative space (unused or blank space) is one of the most underutilized and
misunderstood aspects of design.
● Purpose: Creates balance and new shapes to complement the overall image.
5. Texture
● Refers to the sense of feeling or visual tactility.
● Purpose: Enhances the presence of other elements like patterns, shapes, and colors.
6. Typography
● The art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and
appealing.
● Purpose: Often considered the most important part of graphic and web design.
7. Scale (Size)
● Size: Refers to the physical dimensions of an object.
● Scale: Refers to the relative size of different objects.
● Purpose: Helps in creating emphasis and focus in a design.
9 Basic Principles of Graphic Design
1. Balance
● Symmetrical: Equal or similar elements on either side of a composition.
● Asymmetrical: Different elements that still create balance.
● Radial: Elements arranged around a central point.
2. Emphasis
● Highlights a specific area by contrasting it with others (e.g., through color, texture, shape,
or size).
3. Movement
● The path the viewer's eye takes through the artwork.
● Guided by: Lines, edges, colors, and shapes.
4. Repetition
● Works with patterns to make the design seem active.
● Purpose: Reinforces unity within the artwork.
5. Pattern
● Repeated objects or symbols across the design.
6. Proportion
● Refers to the relationship and unity between different parts of the design.
● Example: Size of a head in relation to the body in a drawing.
7. Rhythm
● Created when elements are used repeatedly to form organized movement.
● Purpose: Creates a mood like music or dance.
8. Variety
● Uses different elements to hold attention and guide the viewer's eye.
9. Unity
● Ensures harmony between all parts of the artwork, creating a sense of completeness.
UNITY - SAME SIZE/COLOR
VARIETY - DIFFERENT SIZE/COLOR
