The art of communicating visually forms part of the active and innovative profession of graphic design. Graphic designers play an important part of carrying out our interactions with our environment through coming up with brands or logos to advertise a certain product, creating beautiful websites or even designing attractive newspapers and magazines to read. Primarily, graphic design reflects the illustration of an idea or a piece of information through typeface, colors, arrangements, and pictures. The general overview of the four essential concepts of graphics design and how they impact the making of striking and effective designs will also be highlighted.
Let’s take a look at what you need to know to make all of your designs rock:
Balance.
In graphic design, balance is the concern for the distribution of the form’s weight across the composition. A design that is cordinated and progressively equalizing guides the viewer’s eye in an even manner across the page. Three primary categories of balance exist:
Symmetrical Balance: A few centimeters from the central axis when the numbers of components on both sides are the same, symmetrical balance is achieved, and this may look balanced. Symmetry of this kind can suggest equilibrium and organization, and this type is regularly used in conventional designs.
Asymmetrical Balance: In asymmetrical balance, if figures have different visual stresses, the balance is arrived at through proper positioning of components. It is not the same on each side; however, if it is done right, with the right size, color, or location, an asymmetrical design works.
Radial Balance: By this, elements are placed as concentric circles spiraling around a central point which has radial balance. In many cases, circular compositions, logos, and insignia contain this kind of balance.
Hierarchy.
To show the amount of attention to be focused on an element and to prioritize it, the element is put into a hierarchy. A clear hierarchy is more beneficial to the viewers since it provides a clear physical pathway over the design and the organization of messages. Among the methods for establishing hierarchy are:
Size: Size is a useful technique for creating a hierarchy because larger items typically grab more attention than smaller ones.
Color: Vibrant, dramatic colors can highlight particular components, while muted colors might blend into the background.
Typography: Different font styles, weights, and sizes can draw attention to particular text elements and establish a hierarchy in a layout.
Placement: Making key components stand out in the composition helps draw the viewer’s attention to them and emphasizes their importance.
Contrast.
When elements with different visual characteristics—like color, size, shape, or texture—are placed next to each other, contrast is created. Designers can highlight particular components and call attention to particular parts of the design by utilizing contrast. Applying contrast effectively
Size: Size could also be used in order to bring hierarchy into focus since many items with larger sizes are often regarded with more attention as compared to those with smaller sizes.
Color: Specifically, vibrant and dramatic colors can be applied to selected components, while pastel colors can be lost in an array.
Typography: Various font typefaces, and their thickness, lettering size may emphasize certain textual components of layout and set priorities in its structure.
Placement: It is important to make the key components to pop out in the composition so the importance of these components is emphasized.
Typography.
The fonts you select to disseminate the words in your creations, are as important as the words being passed.
Layout and font both come under typography, and they mean everything. Besides your message, it says a lot about you and your organization. This is why things are important to get right.
How to creatively apply the rules of typography: I assume you already know the basics of typography. However, you also know how to use them creatively as well as implement them in the best possible way. Discover more on how and why the basic principles of typography can act as starting points for an artist’s imagination.
A crash course in typography vocabulary: Do you need a quick refresher on typography terms? Have a look at the following crash course to know the basic terms used in typography.
How to select fonts while designing a website: Again, it will give your site design the right feel, especially when you use the right typefaces. In the article you will learn how to properly choose such elements as fonts for you site design.
How to become an expert in responsive typography: You need to have responsive web design and responsive typography because actually most of your audience will be viewing your website on mobile devices. Gain mastery in types of responsive typography.
Branding.
Brand building is critical to bringing your company, products, and story to life to the people who form the marketplace. I wanted to know how you are able to make that possible? With having learnt all the aspects of graphic design we have discussed in this tutorial, you can develop your brand that suits you.
A step by step guide on creating a corporate branding strategy.
Brand strategy is the first step towards branding. You have to PLAN before you can start designing one that captures the imagination of your audience and a way to tell your story.
What sets branding apart from logos, brand identities and branding?
These, according to most people, are but one and the same. Discover what the difference between logos, brands and brand marks is.
That’s all, then! After reading this chapter you are armed with all these tools that will enable you to understand the basics of graphic design. So now that you are firm with it all you have to do is to ensure that you are coming up with great designs that will boost your brand’s status.