Graphic Design Basics Course

Instructor Introduction

• Instructor: Laura Keung
• Experience: Professional graphic designer for 15 years; Course creator for Tuts+ since 2018

What is Graphic Design?

• Definition: Creation of visual content with a communication purpose
• Difference from Art: Focus on communication, not just aesthetics
• Elements Used: Images, typography, logos, complex page layouts
• Importance: Organizes complex information; delivers comprehensible messages

Brief History of Graphic Design

• Origins: Visual communication traced back to cave paintings (~38,000 BC)
• Development of Written Language: Sumerians (~3000 BCE) with logographic icons
• Early Printing: China (~200 AD) with wood reliefs
• Movable Type: Beijing (~1040 AD); Gutenberg Press (~15th century) in Europe
• Modern Typography: Emerged post-Gutenberg for mass communication
• Industrial Revolution: Brought lithography and chromolithography
• Influence of Art Movements: Bauhaus, Swiss design, postmodernism
• Digital Era: Computers, Photoshop, web and interactive design

Basic Principles of Design

• Balance: Visual weight distribution (symmetrical/asymmetrical)
• Unity: Harmony among elements
• Contrast: Difference between elements for hierarchy
• Repetition: Consistency through repeated elements
• Pattern: Repetition of multiple elements
• Rhythm: Visual tempo or organized movement
• Movement: Viewer’s eye path through the composition
• Emphasis: Focus on specific design elements
• Proportion: Relationship among elements
• Harmony: Cohesiveness of elements
• Variety: Visual interest and engagement

Color Theory

• Color Wheel: Primary (red, yellow, blue), secondary, and tertiary colors
• Color Temperatures: Warm (e.g., red) and cool colors (e.g., blue)
• Color Spaces: RGB (digital), CMYK (print)
• Color Qualities: Hue, saturation (vibrancy), value (light/dark)
• Color Harmonies: Complementary, split complementary, analogous, monochromatic, triadic, tetradic
• Color Psychology: Impact on emotions and perceptions

Typography

• Definition: Arrangement of type for readability and appeal
• Evolution: From Roman inscriptions to Gutenberg’s movable type
• Type Anatomy: Serif, ascender, descender, bowl, stem, etc.
• Type Classifications:
  • Sans Serif: Without serifs; versatile
  • Serif: With feet; subdivided into old style, transitional, modern, slab
  • Script: Formal and casual
  • Monospaced: Fixed width
  • Display: Non-standard, experimental
  • Variable Fonts: Multiple styles in one file
• Typesetting Considerations: Readability, legibility, alignment, etc.

Design Disciplines

• Graphic Design: Visual composition for communication
• Print Design: Posters, books, magazines
• Digital Product Design: UI/UX, websites, apps
• Digital Design: Overlaps with graphic design; includes animation
• Brand Design: Logo, color scheme, typography

Design Process

• Steps: Brief, brainstorming, sketching, presentation, feedback, finalization
• Design Tools: Adobe Suite, Figma, Canva, Affinity Designer, etc.
• Organizational Tools: Trello, Milanote

Design Assets

• Fonts: Free options (DaFont, Google Fonts)
• Color Palettes: Tools like Coolers and Happy Hues
• Stock Assets: Websites like Envato Elements

Impact of Technology

• Connectivity: Easier collaboration and remote work
• Digital Advancements: Better graphics, photography via phones
• Variable Fonts: Simplified font management
• Expanded Disciplines: New roles like UI/UX due to tech

Conclusion

• Purpose of Graphic Design: Communicate effectively and clearly
• Course Wrap-Up: Review of key principles and technologies
• Closing Remarks: Importance of clarity in communication