Learn the Basics of Graphic Design
What is a graphic design?
This article is a great way to strengthen your idea and understanding of what graphic design is, and the steps to follow when designing, its covers what is graphic design, the visual elements of graphic design, and the key principles of graphic design.
What is Graphic Design
Graphic design is the art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books. Or you can say it’s the organization and presentation of information developed through a creative process for a particular function. Graphic design deals with two things:
1. Graphic
2. Design
1. GRAPHICS
Graphics are visual and it is associated with: Art, imagination, and expressions. A good designer will always consider elements in his / her design. The visual elements of graphic design are:
i. Line
ii. Color
iii. Shape
iv. Texture
v. Space
vi. Form
vii. size
LINE
The Line adds structure to composition, frame information, and divide information. The line also adds elegance to a margin, adds order, and can be used to draw the eye to a certain point.
Line are normal things that are used to divide the space and they can be used to decorate, illustrate and represent information in a photographic. A line can be straight, curved, and thick.
COLOR
Colors are some of the most important things that need special attention when mixing and it places one of the biggest rules in graphic design. It can give emphasis and it can be used as an appliance of the organization, it can create an impact in a piece of graphic design work. When working with color, it helps to have a good knowledge of color theory.
The color theory provides us with practical guideless to help us mix colors and create an interesting color combination. It is divided into three (3) colors
i. Primary color
ii. Secondary color
iii. Tertiary color
Primary color are Red, Yellow, and Blue
Secondary color are Green, Orange, and Purple
Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary color within a secondary color. For example, if we mix the yellow with the orange, we will have a yellowy-orange color in between.
SHAPE
Anything that has height and width has a shape, All object is composed of shapes and all visual elements are shapes in some way. In design, the shape has two sizes measured by HEIGHT and WIDTH
Shapes are defines by borders, such as shapes with lines or color, and can also be generated by negative space. Shapes are used to add interest and support graphic design work. there are two types of shapes:
i. Geometric
ii. Organic
Geometric is the shape that can be drawn using a ruler or compass.
Organic shapes are the shapes that can be drawn freehand or shape found in nature.
TEXTURE
Texture sometimes refers to an actual surface of a design, it is used to create a visual tone and can influence the look and feel of a piece of graphic design work. In design there are two types of texture:
i. Image texture can be simple or complex and generally appears random to create a particular look and fee. Image texture can be like the sense of smell and touch.
ii. Pattern texture is generated from organic or geometric shapes and colors. It can be simple or complex, unlike image texture, patterns appear more structured.
SPACE
Space is the empty areas between elements in your design. Space creates the visual purpose and dynamite of a composition. In design we have two types of space:
i. Positive space refers to be a space of an object; it usually refers to anything that is considered in the main focus of the page while;
ii. Negative space: refers to an empty space that is not part of your graphic design work, the space between the visual element. This can also be the background color of the design. it helps to support and holds composition and help fuscous on the observers on something specific.
FORM
A Form is defined as any 3d object, forms are the 3d similar of shapes, and such are measured by their height, width, and depth. The form can be indicated or associated and can be defined appearance of shadows on the outside of the faces of an object and can be increased by tones, texture, or color.
Because of this visual activity, a form can be used to create a definite look and feel to a piece of graphic design work. We have two types of form
i. Geometric forms are forms that appear man-made whether simple or complex which builds a feeling of control or order and appear clean. While
ii. Organic forms are forms that appear more natural, Organic forms whether simple or complex produce a natural feel.
SIZE
Size is how large or small something is. Size is very important in making a layout functional, attractive, and organized. It shows what is most important, attracts attention, and helps to fit the layout together.
Size can be used to show which element is the most important by making it the largest. It also makes all elements easy to see.
2. DESIGN
Design is to determine the look and function of something before it is made. The design includes thinking, problem-solving, and practicality, A good designer will always consider principles in his / her designs.
The key principles of design help you to combine the various design elements into a good layout. Which are:
i. Contrast
ii. Hierarchy
iii. Alignment
iv. Balance
v. Proximity
vi. Repetition
vii. Simplicity
viii. Function
CONTRAST
A lack of contrast is sometimes what separates the common design from the designs that look very professional and clear. Contrast takes place when two or more visual elements in a structure are different, it can send visual elements apart, secure them or speak something nice to them. Without contrast, visual elements can be incomprehensible.
HIERARCHY
Hierarchy is the power of visual information in an arrangement or giving to imply significance. hierarchy controls the order in which the human eye sees what it sees.
Hierarchy is usually created by the contrast between visual elements in a structure. normally, visual elements with the highest contrast are observed first and can make a complex message simple.
ALIGNMENT
Alignment: These are the necessary elements used in graphic design. it is the positioning of visual elements so they line up in the composition. In design, we use alignment to arrange elements, classify elements, generate balance, create a composition, create a relationship between elements.
we have two alignment principles:
i. Edge alignment
ii. Centre alignment
Edge alignment is either to the left or the right, to the top or bottom.
Centre alignment is aligned to the Centreline down the middle or across horizontal.
BALANCE
We can say balance supply strength in the graphic design, it is the visual weight of an element in the composition. we used the balance to add a profile, to add operation, to add process, and to create dynamics.
In design, one will try to place visual elements in an aesthetically pleasing position, or specific arrangement to carry out a purpose or achieve a certain look or feel.
we have three main types of balance:
i. Symmetrical balance (formal)
ii. Asymmetric balance (informal)
iii. Redial balance
PROXIMITY
Proximity means closeness and it is the grouping and creating of an object in the composition, in design we use proximity for two main reasons:
i. To create a relationship: proximity can create a relationship between visual elements in a composition, to generate hierarchy, organizations, and structure.
ii. The second reason is to eliminate the relationship: proximity can also be used to recommend t no relationship between visual elements to break organization and structure.
Design-related elements should be grouped so that they will be viewed as a group. While unrelated elements should have distance and should not be near each other.
REPETITION
Repetition is the re-using of the same or similar element that looks the same throughout the design. Good design practices seek to repeat some details of a design all over a piece of work, be it for a simple or complex work.
SIMPLICITY
Simplicity: it is the direction of reducing, refining, or editing back a design. When putting simplicity in design, we should keep away from a massive amount of visual elements, we should try and get across one powerful idea instead of taking in many.
When thinking about simplicity, we should take out or edit down information and details that are not required. The further simplicity you design the more beautiful and easy to understand it will be.
FUNCTIONS
A function is the reflection of the main objective for a piece of graphic work and how well a design is explored and defend to meet that end. When we create a piece of graphic design more frequently or not, there will be a requirement that will have to be fulfilled. That could be one or many requirements, Before a designer starts any piece of work, there is key information that will need to be understood, this will ensure that a designer is put in the best position to reproduce the right creative solution.
CONCLUSION
This article covers the definition of graphics design, the core concepts of graphic design, the visual elements of graphic design, and also the key principles of graphic design. There is more to graphics design than can be covered in a single article.
RECOMMENDATION
Check out the following resources for an in-depth explanation of some of the concepts mentioned in this article.
