Graphic Designer

is a form of communication using text and/or images to create an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual expression.

•In graphic design, "the essence is to give order to information, form to ideas, expression and feeling to artifacts that document human experience.” This formation of ideas is cultivated into the field of advertising art.

What is Graphic Design?What is Graphic Design?

What is Graphic Design?

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic Design

graphic artsGrApHiC dEsIgN VS. graphic arts

•Graphic Arts – “Arts represented by drawing or imposing on a flat surface an image that communicates a message; (PRINT MAKING)

Graphic Design- The word “graphic” literally means, “of writing” but the term graphic design “includes an arrangement of works, shapes, or images or a combination thereof.” Secondly, all graphic design has a purpose or a function.” ..to sell something, the intention to say something, to inform and influence your choices and your actions.

Ways of Seeing

• Perception- interpret our unique experience of the world through our five senses (memory and sensation)

• Visualization – a journey we can follow in our minds through mental images

• Imagination - the ability to see images in the form of dreams, fantasies, fairy tales and or ideas.

Creativity5 Forces Behind Creativity

• 1- Inspiration: is that creative fire which offers light, energy and a source of excitement

• 2- Motivation: is the immobilizing energy which moves you to reach a desired goal

• 3- Frustration: a feeling of disorganization which can be positively refocused into a creative

solution• 4- Intuition: an immediate sensation of an answer, a

feeling or a direction (hunch)• 5- Curiosity: is an eagerness to question further, and to

explore beyond the initial idea

1. the machines and devices

that make our lives more

efficient are ever increasing.

2. we need to teach technology

and how to use it effectively.

3. Teenagers today are well

versed in cell phone use, text

messaging, myspace, wiki

and internet blogging, to

name a few.

Why Teach

Graphic Design:

1. Digital imaging is no longer

a futuristic possibility. Youth

today are in love with their

technology and cannot

envision life without it. But

having and using the

technology is a major issue.

2. So how do we harness that

form of technology into the

classroom?

1. Today, employers expect

designers to be familiar with

both PC and MAC computer

graphics software.

2. Designers must continually

develop their skills with

updated software, either

through software training

programs or self-education.

Industry demands a student

with verbal and writing skills

coupled with a strong visual

design element.

1. Graphic designers must be creative and able to communicate their

ideas quickly and effectively.

2. Designers need to be well read, open to new ideas and influences,

and quick to react to changing trends. Problem-solving skills, paying

attention to detail, the ability to work independently

1. People in this field need

self-discipline to start

projects, budget time, and to

meet deadlines/production

schedules.

2. Good business sense and

sales ability are also

important, especially for

those who freelance or run

their own business.

W hat do Graphic Designers do?

•plan

•analyze

•create visual solutions to communication problems.

•Decide the most effective way of getting a message across in print, electronic, and film media using a variety of methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques.

•Develop the overall layout and production design of magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications.

•Produce promotional displays, packaging, and marketing brochures for products and services, design distinctive logos for products and businesses, and develop signs and signage systems—called environmental graphics-for business and government.

•Develop material for Internet Web pages, interactive media, and multimedia projects.

•Produce the credits that appear before and after television programs and movies.

Composition and Layout

Composition

1. In the arts of painting, graphic design, and photography, Composition is the plan, placement or arrangement of the elements of art in a work.

2. In graphic design and desktop publishing, composition is commonly referred to as page layout. (wikipedia)

Layout

Refers to the way in which we organize the material that makes up the content of a design. (your aim is to communicate a message clearly, coherently and logically)

Layout and BriefChecklist for layout

•What text will be used

•What photographs, illustrations, graphs etc

•How many colors can be used

•Size and format of job

•What part needs to be emphasized

•Target audience

•Is the client looking for a particular style

The Brief • what materials the client wants you to use.

• Combine text, main text, display copy (heading), boxes or side bars and captions, images, photos, illustrations, etc.

• Should include desired look or feel of the work which will depend on the TARGET AUDIENCE.

• Clean and structured

• Authoritative

• Funky and cutting edge

• Will provide a SCAMP or rough draft (guide) layout without detail

• Divides the units of space within the page• Will show column layout, margins and areas of main text, captions and images, repeating headings, running heads and page numbers etc.

The Grid

Layout Sequence

1. Thumbnail sketches

2. Rough Layout

3. Comprehensive Layout

•Exploratory drawing (thumbnail sketches)Are used to explore ideas –Drawing should become the basis of expression and underpins all our design decisions.

- ¼ the size - Minimum of 5Thumbnail sketches are small drawingsthat lay out your idea.

Observation- Drawing makes you see the subject as a SHAPE or SHAPES, color and tones.

- You can understand and manipulate perspective.

-Create the illusion of space and depth of field (texture and density)

When developing a thumbnail you will create a layout using squares (represents pictures) and lines (text).

This will allow you to see how the shapes work together before you place the text and images.

Hea

ding

Sup

port

ing

text

Pic

ture

• Thumbnails

• Rough

• Detailed

Rough

• Comp

Using photographs can either make or break a layout.

• Lines in a photo guide the viewer in a direction• Unusual shapes – attracts attention• Symmetrical compositions - evoke feelings of calm, serenity and harmony• Asymmetrical compositions - are edgier and more

mysterious• Striking light and shadow offers powerful emotional

impact and a sense of impending danger• Diagonals add drama which creates tension with a

standard rectangular format

Tips Using a Photograph

What makes a good photo?

– Image is in focus– Correctly exposed– On the best part of the page that shows the image

(not in the gutter)– Must give you some information

– Composition – bad composition can make a good photo look bad

– Too few items of interest or too many takes interest away

– Do not always need to see everything in the shot– Composing and cropping in the camera lense, THAT

IS COMPOSITION

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