Facile Web GraphicGraphic design is the process of creating and arranging visual elements to communicate a message or to create a certain feeling.
The word “graphic” comes from Greek roots meaning “to write” or “draw.” In its earliest form, graphic design was used in ancient Egypt as a way of recording information on papyrus scrolls. The Egyptians created hieroglyphics that told stories using pictures instead of words; this was the first known use of visual communication through textiles and paintings on walls (known as murals).
As time passed, people began using images more frequently than words in their work because they found it easier to understand what an image represented than written language. By combining images with text, we can better express our ideas by showing rather than telling–a concept known as visuospatial reasoning.
The Elements of Graphic Design
Line: The line is the most basic element of graphic design. It can be straight or curved, thick or thin, solid or dotted. Lines are used to separate elements in a composition, define space between objects and create movement within an image.
Shape: Shapes are created by combining lines together into different shapes such as circles squares triangles etc… Shapes can also be used as symbols for things like hearts stars etc..
Color: Color has been around since prehistoric times when cavemen painted on walls with red ochre clay! Today we use it every day whether we realize it or not because every object around us has some sort of color associated with it (even if its just white).
Texture: Texture refers specifically to how something feels when touched; whether smooth rough bumpy etc..
Typography: Typography refers specifically to how typeface looks rather than what lettering says; this includes typefaces such as Times New Roman Helvetica Comic Sans etc..
Balance: Balance refers specifically towards how balanced something feels when looking at both sides equally without any one side standing out more than another so that both sides seem equal weighty importance wise Proportion & Unity/Emphasis
Graphic Design Principles
The principles of graphic design are the building blocks of your designs. They’re the rules that govern how you use color, shape, space and typography to communicate meaning.
These principles can be applied to any medium, whether it’s a logo or an infographic, and they work together to create balance within your work. As you learn more about each principle, think about how you can use it in your own designs.
Graphic Design Tools
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe XD (formerly known as Project Comet)
- Sketch (Mac only)
- Figma (Web-based)
Graphic Design Process
Graphic design is a process that involves many steps, from research and brainstorming to sketching, wireframing and designing. The graphic designer then prototypes their work before testing it with users. Once the designer has revised their prototype based on user feedback, they will repeat this cycle until they have a final product that meets all of their goals for the project.
The graphic design process starts with research: understanding who you’re designing for (your audience), what they need from your product/service/brand etc., how best to communicate with them visually without losing them in text or complex visuals (if applicable).
This can be done through interviews or surveys, or simply by observing people’s behavior in real life situations where they interact with products similar to yours.
Once we know our audience better than anyone else on earth could ever hope too…we’re ready for some brainstorming. Brainstorming helps us come up with ideas quickly by generating lots of possibilities at once rather than just one single solution per session, so make sure everyone gets involved.
Graphic Design Trends
The art of graphic design is an ever-changing landscape. New trends emerge and old ones fade away, but there are some that will always be around to guide your designs. Here are some of the most popular graphic design trends:
Minimalism
This style focuses on clean lines, simple shapes and bold colors. It’s all about highlighting the important parts of your image rather than filling it up with a lot of extra details or elements that don’t add much value to your work in general (and can even distract from what matters).
Flat Design
Flat design uses fewer layers than other styles do so that everything looks like it’s part of one flat plane instead of having multiple levels within each element on top of each other (which would make things look more three dimensional). Flat designs tend to have less detail but still contain enough detail so as not too seem empty or boring without any depth at all.
Graphic Design Best Practices
As a graphic designer, you have the power to make or break a brand. The way you design can either reinforce or undermine your client’s message. Here are five best practices that will help you create better designs:
Simplicity – Don’t overcomplicate things! Keep it simple and clean so that the message is clear and easy-to-read.
Clarity – Make sure there isn’t any ambiguity in your design; if someone doesn’t understand what they’re looking at, they won’t be able to get anything out of it (and may even become frustrated).
Consistency – Use similar fonts throughout the piece so that readers know where they are within the layout without having to look around too much. Also avoid changing up font sizes too much–it makes things less readable and can cause confusion about where certain elements belong on the page/screen etc., especially if there are multiple columns involved like with newspapers/magazines etc..
Accessibility – Be sure all content is accessible by everyone regardless of disability type (vision issues such as color blindness being one example). This means making sure text has enough contrast between itself against its background color(s), making sure links work correctly when clicked upon etc..
Responsiveness – Designing responsively means designing so that whatever device someone uses (phone vs laptop vs desktop PC) still looks good no matter which size screen real estate available, this includes taking advantage of different resolutions available across various devices such as laptops vs smartphones vs tablets etc..
Career Opportunities in Graphic Design
If you’re looking for a career in graphic design, there are many different paths you can take. The most common job titles include:
- Graphic Designer
- Art Director
- Creative Director
- Web Designer (also called Front-End Developer)
- User Interface Designer (UI)
- User Experience Designer (UX).
How to Become a Graphic Designer
To become a graphic designer, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or visual communications. A bachelor’s degree can be earned at an accredited university or college and takes about four years to complete. You may also choose to earn an associate degree in graphic design, which is typically completed in two years.
A strong portfolio is essential for landing your first job after graduation. It should include examples of your best work and show off your skill set as well as any certifications that are relevant to the field (such as Adobe Creative Cloud).
Conclusion
As you can see graphic design is a very versatile, creative field. You can work in a variety of industries, with many different types of companies and people. If you enjoy art and design, are skilled at creating digital graphics and want to earn some money for your talents, then graphic design could be a great career path for you.
