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!
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