Design BasicsYou will be…

- Designing the cover of the yearbook - Making promotional posters

- Making yearbook pages

It is now time to learn some design basics that will help you with these three tasks!

What is Design?In general, it is a plan or drawing

produced to show the look or function something. GRAPHIC DESIGN is the

process of visual communication through the use of fonts, space, images, and color.

Elements vs. PrinciplesWe’re going to talk about ELEMENTS of

design and PRINCIPLES of design.

Elements PrinciplesLine, shape, color, value, texture, size, and space.

These are the materials you build designs with.

Contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity.

These are rules that help you organize and place the materials.

Elements of Design: LineLines can be used for a wide range of purposes: stressing

a word or phrase, connecting content to one another, creating patterns, dividing up space, and much more.

Options:Straight Curved

Horizontal Vertical Thick Thin

Dotted Broken

Lines can create a sense of movement or direction in your

design.

Elements of Design: ShapePut lines together to create height and width, and you have a shape. Shapes can be used to create patterns, organize

and divide space, and draw the viewer’s attention.

Options:Geometric (triangles, circles, squares, etc.) Natural (plants, animals, people, etc.) Abstract (icons, freeform graphic representations)

Elements of Design: ColorColor is used to generate emotions, create unity, make

something stand out, and generally create visual interest.

Options:Warm vs. Cool Bright vs. Muted Primary vs. Secondary Neutral Colors Complementary Colors + +

Elements of Design: ValueValue is how light or dark an area looks. Use value to create

depth and light, to lead the eye, or to emphasize.

A gradient helps us visualize value: Any color has a range of value.

Elements of Design: TextureTexture refers to what the surface of an object looks and feels like. In graphic design, you can mimic the look of

different textures to add depth, contrast, and visual interest.

Options:Wood

Cement Glitter Fabric Paint Glass Metal Paper

Elements of Design: SizeSize is how small or large something is. Interesting

choices regarding size can attract attention or define the importance of an element in the design.

Elements of Design: SpaceSpace is the area around or between elements of the

design. It can be used to separate or group information. Used effectively it can lead the eye through a design.

Options:Positive Space: the space the subject takes up. Negative Space: the space surrounding the subject.

We just saw elements of design:

the materials!

Next we will look at principles of design:

the rules!

TEXT

Principles of Design: ContrastSeparate elements in a design should stand apart from one

another. Think of contrast as a noticeable difference between elements. You can achieve contrast using different

colors, textures, and sizes next to each other.

Color contrast

Value contrast

Texture contrast

Size contrast

BAD

GOOD

Principles of Design: ContrastFaux-pas!

When an element of your design (like

text) should be clearly visible to the viewer, make

sure to create high contrast!

Principles of Design: RepetitionRepeating elements helps to create patterns. When you

repeat the use of any design element, it also creates cohesiveness. For example, if you use a blue border on one image, using blue borders on the other images creates unity.

Principles of Design: RepetitionFaux-pas!

No repeating

fonts, no

repeating colors,

no repeating shapes!

Principles of Design: AlignmentAlignment means that objects in the design are

visually connected so that nothing feels out of place or disconnected. Objects “line up” with each other

when they are supposed to.

The elements on this page are not in alignment.

Principles of Design: Alignment

The elements on this page are now better aligned!

Alignment means that objects in the design are visually connected so that nothing feels out of place or

disconnected. Objects “line up” with each other when they are supposed to.

Principles of Design: AlignmentFaux-pas!

Margins are all different sizes. None of the objects are “lined up.”

Principles of Design: ProximityProximity is how close or far away objects are from each

other. If two elements are related, they should be placed in close proximity to each other. Doing so increases viewer

comprehension of the design.

Imagine how strange it would look if you put distance between

and image and its label…

My Dog

Principles of Design: ProximityProximity is how close or far away objects are from each

other. If two elements are related, they should be placed in close proximity to each other. Doing so increases viewer

comprehension of the design.

Imagine how strange it would look if you put distance between

and image and its label…

My Dog

Principles of Design: Proximity

Group related things together.

What order are you supposed to read this text

in? Group related text together.

Faux-pas!