Graphic Design 1

What is Graphic Design?

• Any form of visual artistic representation.

• Visual communication intended to be used with commercial printing/reproductive processes in both two- and three-dimensional presentations

• That part of graphic arts concerned with the impact of the product.

The Design Process

• Using the process to take an idea from concept to finished piece

• Step 1 – understand and research the problem– What are the goals?– Who is the audience?– What are limits/constraints – time, format, budget?– What has been done before (such as with a similar

format?)

The Design Process• Step 2 – Thumbnails

– Quantity not quality

– Quick, small, primitive

– Think in terms of general shapes; block out areas where items will go

– Connect your hand to your mind!

– The more you do, the better your designs

The Design Process

• Step 3 – Roughs: refinement– Choose several

thumbs to enhance– Half- or full-size

The Design Process

• Step 4 – Comp: further refinement– Presented to client for

review

– Mark typeface, color, and image details

– Primarily, this is where we’ll stop

• Step 5 – Final design– What is printed

Before beginning a design • 4 things to know:

– What do you want to say? – Who do you want to hear

your message?– What format should be

used? – Knowledge of design

elements/principles

What do you want to say?

• Helps determine how many visual elements will need to be arranged

• Know exact words, phrases, etc. • Keep It Short and Simple• Write legible

Visual Elements?

Slogans/Messages?

Who do you want to hear your message?

• The more you know about your audience, the better you can communicate an idea with them

• Consider:– age, gender, education, occupation, income, marital status,

etc

• Put yourself in their shoes

• Play up the “what’s in it for me?”

• Use images and text that will both enhance message and attract (and sufficiently keep) attention

What format should be used?

• Format is:

– Size, shape, function of the page or design

• Influences how much information you should put in the space, as well as the size/shape of the page

• Examples:– Large conference audience – try a banner with clean,

legible, and readable type (large and simple images, too)

– What might you recommend for a wedding ceremony?

Examples of format

• Stationary sets• Newsletters and brochures• Posters• Book jackets• Billboards• Packaging• Clothing• Can you think of others?

Knowledge of design elements/principles

• Elements• Principles

– Balance: distribution of visual elements – Emphasis: order of importance– Alignment: visual connection of visual elements or

organization– Contrast: how different different items appear– Rhythm/repetition: repeating items creates movement and

togetherness– Unity: elements within a design look like they belong

together

Review Quiz (10 pts)

1. What four things do you need to know before you start to design?

2. Posters, banners, brochures, CD inserts are all examples of what?

3. These sketches are quick, small exploratory/brainstorming drawings to get a design started.

4. Thumbnails are developed into what?5. What is presented to a client?