Graphic Designing Notes -Digiskills

1. Theory
2. Software (Microsoft publisher)
3. Practice

What is design?

Design is an arrangement of elements in such a way that serves a function &

holds a specific shape.

Design Thinking Process

1. Define Problem
2. Empathy (info about target audience) (age group, financial, economic
& education)
3. Ideate (develop Idea)
4. Prototype (Model/design)
5. Feedback (comments on your design)
6. Improvement (improve the design according to feedback)

What is Graphic Design?

To convey/communicate a message, not only in words but with visual also.

Product
Anything you can touch or feel is a Product.
e.g.: Toothpaste.

Service
the thing you can't touch but feel (in virtual form) is a Service.
eg: Courier service.

Tools for visually Communicate Message

(In common words)
1. Text
2. Pictures
3. Drawings/ Sketching

(In graphic design)

1. Photography
2. Typography
3. Illustration

History of Graphic Designing

 A cave painting in Stone age
 Hieroglyphs in Egyptian civilization
 The paper invention in China
 First Art Decoration firm by William Morris (after 1760)
 1st Advertising company "NW Ayer & Sons" (1869)
 Army Posters used in WorldWar I & II
 1st book on Designing "Thoughts on Design" (by Paul Rand 1947)
 1st GUI in Machintosh 1984 by Steve Jobs
 Software designed by Adobe (Photoshop. illustrator, AfterEffects,
Flash, InDesign etc)

Scope of Graphic Designing:

 Brands
 Companies Logos
 Invitation Cards
 Sign Board
 Games (Interface Design)

Objective Of a Graphic Designer

 Purpose of design
 The design should be good at watching
 The message should understand & clean
Creativity & Skills in GD

 New & different Ideas

 Observation ( Observe your environment, people, situation, colors or
scenes )
"Look at usual things with unusual eyes"
 Curiosity ( Do to or learn something new.)
 Inspiration ( Inspire from new Ideas & Design )

Tips:

 Strong your visual library on your brain

 Save the thing/scene that you looks good design to get Inspiration
 Search Blogs related to GD on the Internet
 Be a part of a community that share new Design/Ideas on the Internet
 Be always in Fresh MooD

Skills required for a Good Graphic Designer:

1. Technical skill:

 Typography
o To manage or arrange your text so that it could
convey understandably. if you handle text then you're
a GD
 Photography
o The skill to capture the image. basic knowledge on photography
 Illustration
o Thumbnail sketches to develop your ideas
 Software Skill
o Knowing how to use Adobe's Creative Softwares like
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator & Adobe InDesign

2. Professional Skills:
  Visual Communication Design
 Critical Thinking (problem-solving activity)
 Analytical Skill
 Time Management skill
 Efficient & Update
 Quality Assurance

Types of Assignments assign to Graphic Designer:

 Logo Designing
 Business card & Letterhead
 Info based advertiser (Brochure, Flyers, Leaflets)
 Posters
 Billboards, Streamers, X-Stands, Shop Signs
 Product Packing
 Icons
 Website Designing
 Web app interface
 Invitation Cards
 Photo Retouch
 Social Media Posts

Skills Required for GD:

1.Technical Skills:

 Typography (should be expert)

 Photography (Basic Knowledge)
 Illustration (to present your idea visually)
 Software skills (Ps, Ai, Id)

2. Professional Skills:
  Communication Skills (understand the Client's requirements and
also guide your client)
 Critical Thinking (Problem Solving activity) (for what about the
design want to say)
 Analytical Thinking (analyze his work by the time and think about the
feedback from the client)
 Time Management (should be done your work within the time)
 Efficiency & Updated (New features & Softwares)
 Quality Assurance (Word should on the best quality according to the
client)

Research, Copywriting & Concept develop:

 Research (chk your target audience, chk Compatetor brands,

understand the Design doc)
 Concept (Idea, (Drawing, Graphics, Sketches, Images & Text), like a
seed, Idea>Conncept>Design, Brain Strumming)
 Copywriting (Slogen of the companies)

Elements Of Design
The building block of designing is called elements of design.

1. Dot:
A dot is basically the beginning of “something” in “nothing”. it forces the
mind to think upon its position and gives something to build upon in both
imagination and space. some abstract points in a group can provoke human
imagination to link it with familiar shapes or forms. (Wikipedia)
In designing, dots may be large or small, thick or thin, and colored or non-
colored.

Examples:

 a debate starts from a point

 ik nukty wich gal mukdii aa
 pointillism art & design movement in Europe
 everything starts from being a DOT.

Symmetry:
If dots meet in a sequence and create a visual thing, it is called symmetry

Asymmetry:
If dots meet randomly and do not create a visual thing, it is called asymmetry.

2. Line:
The line is an element of art defined by a point moving in space. (Wikipedia)
it is the distance between two points. it can also be the combination of dots.

The line has its own length and direction..!

functions of design:

 Direction (signboards)
 Division (newspaper)

Types of Line:

 Curve
 Irregular
  Dotted
 Wave
 Zigzag
 Parallel ( two lines in a plane that do not intersect or touch each
other at any point are said to be parallel )
 Perpendicular (a line is said to be perpendicular to another line if the
two lines intersect at a right angle {90 degree} )

2- Dimensional:

 A 2d drawing is a drawing that sits in only the x-axis and y-axis. more
simply, a 2d drawing is flat and has a width and length but no depth or
thickness. there is no shade and shadow and therefore little realism in
a 2d drawing. (Wikipedia)
 In 2d you can't see corners of shape or design.

3- Dimensional:

 The 3D drawing sits in x, y & z-axis.

 It is also known as developing a mathematical representation of
any surface of an object. (Wikipedia)
 In 3d you can see almost all corners of shape or design.

Vertical Line:
A line parallel to the y-axis is called a vertical line. use it to show strength or
power

Horizontal Line:
A line parallel to the x-axis is called a horizontal line. use it to show
relaxation or comfort.

Diagonal Line:
A line that joining two vertices of a polygon or polyhedron, when those
vertices are not on the same edge is called a diagonal line. (Wikipedia) These
lines are drawn other than 0, 90, 180, or 360 degrees, i.e 60 degrees or 45
degrees) use it to show motion or movement.

3. Shape:
When some lines combine and surround an area then a shape is created. It
may be 2d or 3d.

The dots combine to make a line and the lines combine to make a shape.

Types of Drawing Shapes:

 Outline
 Color filling
 Negative space filling

Apps of Shapes:

 Decoration
 Material & content addition
 Attract & boost the interest level

Shapes are used as symbols and all the brand's logos are all shapes.

Types of Shapes:

1. Geometric Shapes:

 Geometric shapes can be defined as a figure or area closed by a

boundary that is created by combining the specific amount of
curves, points, and lines. (Wikipedia)
  Different geometric shapes are circle, triangle, rectangle, square &
parallelogram, etc
these shapes can be drawn by the use of a ruler or compass.

2. Organic Shapes:

Organic shapes are defined as shapes that are irregular or asymmetrical in

appearance and tend to have a curvy flow to them. nearly all shapes found in
nature are organic in appearance. (Wikipedia)

Examples are leaves, flowers, trees, animal or human etc.

3. Abstract Shapes:

Abstract shapes have a recognizable form, but are not real. they are stylized
or simplified versions of a combination of both geometric and organic
shapes.
all types of symbols are abstract shapes.

Visual meanings of shapes:

 use circle shows motion or movement in a drawing.

 use triangle to show directions.
 use a rectangle to show direction & length.
 use square to show weight or strength.

4. Size:
The variation between two or more objects/shapes is called size.
Playing with the size of your objects/shapes add interest & attraction and is
used to organize things.

Example, a large building or a small puppy.

5. Space:
Space is an empty or open area between, around, above, below or within the
objects.

 Positive Space:
o Positive space is any part of a composition that serves as the
main focus for attention. basically, it's anything you add that is
not part of the background.
 Negative Space:
o Basically, the background of the object/shape, that you create.
is called negative space.
o Negative space is, quite simply, the space that surrounds an
object in an image. just as important as that object itself,
negative space helps to define the boundaries of

Positive Space and brings balance to a composition.

Negative space is also called breathing space.

Minimalism is less a visual style and more a principle. a minimalist design is

a design that only uses the most essential elements, including basic shapes
and limited color palettes, to create something that's very simple yet
memorable. (Wikipedia)

6. Color:
Color is the sensation of light.

Color Wheel:
Color Wheel is a basic color theory represented in a circle (wheel). consists
of three group types of colors:

 1. Primary Colors:
These are the most important colors in the color wheel. the other colors
are made up by the mixing of primary colors. these are:

o Red
o Blue
o Yellow
 2. Secondary Colors:
These are made by mixing any two primary colors. for example:
o Green ( yellow & blue)
o Purple ( blue & red)
o Orange ( red & yellow)

 3. Tertiary Colors:
These are made by mixing 1 primary and 1 secondary color. for
example:
o Yellow-Orange
o Yellow-Green
o Blue-Green
o Blue-Purple
o Red-Purple
o Red-Orange.
 4. Neutral colors:
Black (shadow), White (tint) & Grey (tone) is called Neutral Colors &
Earth Tones.
 o When we add white color in any color, we gain the lighter
version of that color. e.g: pink (Red + White)
o When we add black color in any color, we gain the
darken version of that color. e.g: maroon (Red + Black)
o Wen we add Grey color in any color, we gain the tone of
that color.
 5. Warm Colors:
Red, Yellow & Orange in Flame
Red = love, passion, danger & energy
Yellow = happiness & friendship
 6. Cool Colors:
Blue, Green, Purple in Water & trees
blue = Relaxation & Calmness & cool
7. value:
Value is the lightness or darkness of any object, any area, any shape or any
color.
We use a 9-step scale to measure the value of any object, area, shape, or
color. The 9-step basically shows the tones of colors

 The first 3 steps/boxes are called Highlights.

 The last 3 steps/boxes are called Shadows.
 The middle 3 steps/boxes are called Midtones.

When we choose Highlights & Shadows at same time, we get Contrast.

Imp Point: Value has a great relation with color & contrast but itself it is not
a color or contrast. it is just the name of Tones.
8. Texture:
The feel of any surface is called its Texture. We can define texture in
different words like Rough, Smooth or Silky, etc.

 Texture can be Organic Or Non-Organic :

o Organic Texture: The textures which are obtained
through Nature (Trees, grass raat matii flower) are called
Organic Textures
o Non-Organic: The textures which are obtained surfaces
other than Nature ( ieeent, cement) are called NonOrganic
Textures
 Texture can be Actual Or Implied :
o Actual Texture: If the touching feel of a surface is the same
as its seeing feel then it is Actual Texture.
o Implied Texture: If the touching feel is nit the same as the
seeing feel it is Implied Texture.
 Texture can be Pattern Texture or Image Texture :
o Pattern Texture: When different shapes are repeated in a special
pattern then the texture made by patterns is called Pattern
Texture.
Pattern Textures are used in clothes, shoes & Fashion Brands
o Image Texture: usually the textures gain from different types of
images are the Image Textures.
These textures can be Environmental, Biological, or man-made
textures.
 Principles Of Design
1. Balance
Equal distribution of visual weights. Visual weight means how heavy or light
a thing in its visual.
Eye traveling: enter & out from a pic and which things should see first and
which things see later.

Types Of Balance

1. Symmetrical:
In Symmetrical Balance, all the sides (horizontally-vertically) are in equal
shapes ( patterns). if we cut these images horizontally or vertically, the
pic will show the same visual on both sides.

2. Asymmetrical:
In Asymmetrical Balance, all the elements are not in equal patterns but they
confirm the visual balance.

3. Radial:
In Radial Balance, the elements move around a central point in a round
pattern.

2. Proximity:
It is a technique to organize the elements and this organization adds beauty in
our graphics.
For Proximity, we collect the same liking visuals and place them as a
collection. And for different visuals, we put them at a distance/space, so we
gain a Unity.
By use of proximity, we can remove Clutter from our designs, which destroys
our design.
3. Alignment:
Arranging elements of design with a stright Line.
The Stright Line may b visible or invisible.
E.g: Car Parking Lines.

Types Of Alignment (According to Text)

 1. Centre Alignment
 2. Left Alignment
 3. Right Alignment
 4. Justified Alignment

Why Alignment:

 To create Order & Organization

 To Group elements and create Visual Connection.

4. Repetition:
Using the same elements in design again & again is called Repetition. We
can repeat similar shapes, colors, or lines in the design.

It helps

 to create Consistency & Association in design.

 readers to navigate.
 in filling the canvas.
 to create Balance
5. Contrast
Arranging opposite elements together.

 LightColor VS Dark
 LargeScale VS Small
 RoughTextr Vs Smooth

We can do contrast by:

 Size
 Shade
 Color
 Direction
Contrast can :

 create an interesting relationship between visual elements.

 pull the elements Together or Push away the elements of design.
 helps the human eye to differentiate among different elements.
6. Emphasis
Area or object within the design that draws attention and becomes a focal
point.
The focal point is the area where the Primary Concept / Theme / Story of
design is placed. There should not be more than one focal point in one
design.
7. Unity
Arrangement of design elements in such a way that combined together, they
give a feeling of a whole.

"The whole is greater than its parts."

Unity creates Order & Organization in GD

We can get unity by:

 Similarity
 Continuation
 Repetition
8. Movement:
Movement refers to the way the eye travels over a design. Movement is
controlling the elements in a composition so that the eye is led to move from
one to the next and the information is properly communicated to your
audience.
9. Rhythm:
Repetition of design elements in a specific pattern/certain gaps or intervals is
called Rhythm.
Types of Rhythms:

 1. Random Rhythms:
o Repetition of elements with no regularity and random intervals.
 2. Regular Rhythms:
o Repetition of elements with regular/similar intervals/gaps.
 3. Flowing Rhythms:
o Repetition of elements following bends & curves. e.g: waves,
 4. Progressing Rhythms:
o Repetition of elements with certain changes and progress
every time.
10. Pattern:
It is a uniform repetition of any of the elements of design. Anything that can
be a pattern by repetition.

Rule Of Third:
In RuleOfThird, we divide our Design area into Three equal rows & Columns
by Imaginary lines. Now we place the most important Element (design, art,
pic, etc) of our image into the Intersecting lines (of our imaginary lines). This
makes a special balance in our design.

Typography:

To Present. Design, Arrange and Manage the words in visual form is called
Typography
Typo = Impression
Graphy = Likhna Draw krna

Typhase & Font

Typhus is a Family of Typography and Font is the Family Member of that

Typhus.

Eg: Helvetica Family

Mrs. Helvetica Regular
Mr. Helvetica Bold
Helvetica Light
Helvetica Oblique
So there Helvetica Family is Typhase and Helvetica Light 24px is the Font.
Safir & San Sarif Fonts

Serif is a small decorative flourish on the end of the strokes that make up
letters & symbols.

Eg: Times New Roman

Trajan Pro
Cooper Black

San Serif (to be without) SanSerrif fonts Do not have any flourishes at the
end of strokes.

Eg: Arial
Helvetica
Verdana

Helvetica is the favorite font of Graphic Designers because of its nice

readability.
Choosing Font According to Topic

 Beauty Salon: Glamours, Sleek & Stylish Font

 Construction Company: Heavy, Thick & Bold Font
 Event Advertise: Decorative, Stylish, Full Of Colours
 Technology Ads: Simple & Modern
Illustration
In GD, Illustration means depicting something visually.
To explain anything (story, pic, process or data) visually in such a way that it
can be published through a medium for people, is called illustration

illustration
  Art of Storytelling
 Comics
 Magazine adz
 Animation & Video games

Vector Vs Pixel

Vector:
Any image produced my dots and lines. vector images made by geometrical
shapes
Any graphic made by geometrical shapes or mathematical calculations are
called Vectors

Properties:

 Better Image Quality

 Edges do not distort in zoOm
 Fewer Details
 Have a small size
 Formats: AI EPS PDF
 Sharpe Edges

Pixel:
Small Squares that mixup to form a picture.

Properties

 Not better Image Quality

 Edges distorted in case of zoOOom
 Unit = dpi (dots per inch)
 More Details
 Have bigger sizes
 Formats: PSD JPEG PNG
 Fuzzy Edges

File Formats In GD:

  .AI (adobe illustrator / Vector based graphic )
 .PSD (Adobe Photoshop / Pixel based Graphics)
 .JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group - Pixel / commonly used
worldwide for preview image / not appreciatable for printing
because details lost )
 .TIFF ( Tagged Image file Formate - Pixel/ideal for printing because
all details save & small size - Lossless Compression )
 .PNG ( Portable Network Graphic - Pixel / Transparency & Web
Media )
 .GIF ( Graphics Interchange Formate - Pixel / Animation )
 .PDF ( Portable Document Formate - Vector / Text , Vector Img &
Raster Img )
 .EPSS ( Encapsulated PostScript - Vector - Adobe illustrator / Text &
Img - Formate during Editing Img in AI )
Fonts Formats

 .TTF ( True Type Formate / 1st in Machintosh but later worldwide )

 .OTF ( Open Type Font / Modified form of TTF )
Color Modes
There are two Color Modes in Graphic Designing:

 RGB:
o Red, Green & Blue
o Light Colours.
o Screen Medium
o 72 Image Resolution
 CMYK:
o Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black
o Printing Colors.
o For Printing Medium
o 200-600 Img Resolution