What Is Graphic Design?

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic Design is a creative process, most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form, (e.g. printers, signmakers etc..) undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience. The term Graphic Design can also refer to a number of artistic and professional disciplines that focus on visual communication and presentation. The field as a whole is often referred to as Visual Communication of Communication Design. Various methods are used to create and combine words, symbols, and images. A Graphic Designer may use a combination of typography, visual arts, and page layout techniques to produce the final result. Graphic Design often Refers to both the Process by which the communication is created and the products which are generated. Common uses of graphic design include identity (logos and branding), publications (magazines, newspapers, and books), advertisements and product packaging. For example, a product package might include a logo or other artwork, organized text and pure design elements such as shapes and color which unify the piece. Composition is one of the most important features of graphic design, especially when using pre-existing materials or diverse elements.

Types Of Graphic Design.

• Graphic Illustration
• Graphics and Photography
• Package Design
• Advertising and Marketing
• Print Publication Design
• Logo and Typography Design
• Web Designers
• I-Media Design - Apps
• Games Designer
• Information Graphics

Software That I Use.

Sofware that I use in Graphic Design includes, Adobe Photoshop CS3, Microsoft Word, Windows Movie Maker and I also use the Internet to help me conduct my Artist Research.  By using Adobe CS3, I can create iomages from scratch, or edit existing images which i have previously taken. I find that this helps me to create several different options of one image, therefore giving a wider range of future products. Microsoft word allows me to note down ideas and information on products, while Windows Movie Maker allows me to create a movie of my product, or it would allow me to create a video or and I-Dent for a Television Company.


Principals Of Graphic Design.

The two main principles of Graphic Design are Balance And Unity.
BALANCE: Symmetrical balance occurs when the visual weight of design elements evenly divided in terms of horizontal, vertical, or radial. This style relies on a balance of two similar elements from two different sides. Conditions in the symmetrical equilibrium is a general style that is often used to achieve a balance in design. Although it is easy to implement, symmetrical balance is difficult to evoke emotion from the Visual readers because it was impressed too "planned". Symmetrical balance is also commonly referred to as formal balance.
Asymmetrical balance occurs when the visual weight of design elements are not evenly distributed in the central axis of the page. This style relies on visual games such as scale, contrast, color to achieve a balance with irregular. We often see a design with the big picture offset by the small but visible text balanced because the game contrast, color, etc. Asymmetrical balance is more likely to arouse emotions because the Visual reader and the resulting visual tension. Tensions asymmetric also referred to informal balance.
UNITY: Unity looks at how close or far apart various elements on the page are to one another. The closer two elements are, the stronger the relationship is between the two elements.

Unity in design is achieved primarily through placement in your layout. But it can also be achieved through margin and padding changes to the elements.
Another way to use unity in web design is to separate your text into groups using headlines. The headline adds some visual contrast, and by grouping it with the text below it, it is clearly related to that content.

Art and Design Materials Needed.


To be able to compete tasks, I needed to be able to have the right equipment. This consisted of using Coloured Pens/Pencils to enable to to sketch out ideas ready to scan in by using a Scanner Device, which would then allow me to upload freehand work to be edited on Adobe Photoshop. I also needed access to a Computer and to have a Memory Stick available in which to save research and experiments to a safe place which wouldn't be lost if the computer crashed. I also found that I needed to be able to have access to a Camera so that i could photograph objects and then use them to aid my initial ideas and then help me to develop any of my ideas further.