GRAPHIC DESIGN

GUIDE Your Introduction To

The World Of Graphic Design

© 2023 BY ATAY VAYISSOV

 WELCOME

Welcome to the Graphic Design Guide, where creativity meets innovation!

As a graphic designer, you are an artist, a problem solver, and a storyteller.

You have the power to turn ideas into reality and create meaningful

experiences for your audience.

Graphic design is an essential component of marketing and

communication, as it allows businesses and individuals to convey their

message in a visually compelling and memorable way. From logos to

websites to packaging, graphic design is everywhere, and knowing the

principles and techniques of this field is crucial for success in today's

competitive market.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in

the world of graphic design, this guide will provide you with valuable

insights and practical tips to help you elevate your skills and produce

outstanding work.

Enjoy learning!
 DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Design principles are a set of guidelines that help designers create effective and visually
appealing designs. Good design is not just about aesthetics; it also involves understanding
and implementing design principles that make the end product functional and user-friendly.
Lets dive in!

Balance Contrast
The distribution of visual weight within a design. The difference in visual elements to create
interest and draw attention.

Emphasis Repetition
The area in a design that draws the most attention. The use of the same visual element throughout
a design.

Proportion Harmony
The relationship between different elements in a design. The relationship between all the elements in a
design, creating a sense of unity.

Movement Rhythm
The visual flow of a design, leading the viewer's eye through The repetition of elements, creating a sense of
the piece. movement and visual interest.

Unity Variety
The combination of all elements in a design to create a The use of different elements to create visual
cohesive whole. interest and contrast.

Master graphic design principles to create effective designs. Apply principles and varieties to elevate your design skills,
and to always be sure of your next step.
 DESIGN ELEMENTS
Design elements are essential for creating effective and visually appealing designs that
communicate your message clearly and concisely. By mastering design elements you can
create designs that effectively communicate your message and appeal to your audience.
Let's explore each of these design elements in more detail to elevate your design skills.

Lines Shapes
Lines can be straight or curved, thick or thin, used to Shapes are flat, two-dimensional areas that can be
define shapes, create movement, or add texture. geometric or organic, used to create patterns or
highlight focal points.

Colors Textures
Color is used to convey emotion, create contrast, or Textures can be visual or tactile, adds depth and
establish a brand identity. interest to a design.

Typography Space
Typography is the art of arranging text, used to create Space is the area within a design, used to create
hierarchy, convey tone, or add personality. balance and emphasize certain elements.

Form Value
Forms are the three-dimensional aspect of an object or shape. The size relationship between different elements
in a design.

Scale Proximity
Value is usually the lightness or darkness of a color or The distance between different elements in a
element, used to create contrast and emphasis. design, used to create hierarchy and organization.

Mastering design elements is essential for creating effective designs that communicate your message clearly and appeal to your audience.
By understanding each design element and its purpose, you can elevate your design skills and create visually compelling designs.
 FILE TYPES GUIDE
Welcome to the Filetypes Guide! Get ready to master all the file formats out there in no time.
Let's dive in and have some fun!
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format is a "lossy" format that can merge
your artwork into a single layer, but it has the advantage of being smaller in size
compared to other formats, making it an excellent choice for quickly sharing images.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format used for presenting and exchanging
documents. It preserves the original formatting of the document, regardless of the
software or device used to view it. PDFs can include text, images, links, and
interactive elements, and can be viewed and printed on almost any platform.
AI (Adobe Illustrator Artwork) is a vector graphics file format used by Adobe Illustrator
for creating and editing images. AI files are composed of vector graphics, which are
scalable without losing quality. This makes it an ideal format for creating logos,
illustrations, and other graphics that need to be resized or printed at different resolutions.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a file format used for vector graphics that can be
scaled without losing quality. They are widely used for logos, icons, and interactive
graphics on the web, and can be edited using vector-based software. SVGs are
ideal for responsive web design and accessibility, as they can be easily adapted
to different screen sizes and devices.
There are many other different filetypes out there to explore. However I find these eight files the most common amongst graphic designers.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a "lossless" format that preserves
the full quality of your artwork and any transparency that may be
presented in the image. Although it may have a slightly larger file size,
PNG is a good choice for retaining high-quality images while also keeping
the transparency intact.
PSD (Photoshop Document) is a file format used by Adobe Photoshop for
storing layered image files. It allows users to work with and edit different
elements of an image separately, making it a popular choice for graphic
designers and photographers. PSD files can also be exported to other
formats for sharing or printing.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is a vector graphics file format used
for logos, illustrations, and diagrams. EPS files can be resized without
losing quality, making them ideal for printing and publishing.
They can be embedded in other documents and edited in vector-based
software like Adobe Illustrator.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a file format used for short, looping
animations with limited color palettes. They are popular on the internet
and social media due to their small file size and wide compatibility.
GIFs can be created using software or online platforms that offer
pre-made animations or the ability to create custom ones.
 LOGOTYPES GUIDE
Logos come in all shapes and sizes, but did you know there are different types too?
Whether it's a wordmark, a pictorial mark, or an abstract symbol, each logo type has its own
strengths and personality. Knowing the different logo types can help you choose the right one
for your brand. Let's dive into the world of logo types!

LETTERMARK / MONOGRAM WORDMARK

A lettermark or monogram logo is a type of logo design that uses the initials
or abbreviation of a brand name to create a unique symbol. This logo type
is often used by companies with longer or more complex names, as it provides
a simplified and easily recognizable visual representation of the brand.
Lettermark and monogram logos are often used in branding for their simplicity
and versatility across different mediums and applications.
A wordmark logo consists of the brand name presented in a unique and
stylized way, often incorporating custom typography. This type of logo is
ideal for businesses with a distinctive brand name that they want to
emphasize, and can be memorable and recognizable when executed well.
However, wordmark logos can be less versatile and may require a strong
marketing effort to establish brand recognition.

PICTORIAL / BRANDMARK ABSTRACT MARK

A pictorial or brandmark logo is a type of logo design that uses a recognizable
symbol or icon to represent a brand. This logo type is often used by companies
with strong visual associations, such as sports teams or luxury brands. Pictorial
and brandmark logos can be effective in creating brand recognition and
association, as they rely on strong visual elements that can be easily remembered
and associated with the brand. However, they may be less effective in conveying
specific information or aspects of the brand beyond the visual representation.
An abstract mark is a logo that uses a unique and often creative design to
represent a brand, without any direct reference to the product or service
being offered. It's a powerful way to create a strong brand identity and
differentiate from competitors, as the abstract design can be memorable
and easily recognizable. However, it can be challenging to create an
abstract mark that effectively represents the brand and may require more
effort in brand awareness to become easily recognizable.

EMBLEM
An emblem logo consists of text within a symbol or an icon. It's often used by
organizations, institutions, and sports teams to create a sense of tradition and
history. Emblem logos typically have a classic and timeless feel to them and
are often designed with intricate details. However, they can be difficult to
reproduce in smaller sizes and may not be as versatile as other logo types.
MASCOTS
A mascot logo features a character or an animal that represents the brand
and creates a friendly and approachable brand image. It's commonly used
by sports teams, schools, and businesses targeting a younger audience.
A mascot logo can create an emotional connection with the audience and
make the brand more memorable. However, designing a mascot logo
requires more creativity and may be more challenging to execute compared
to other logo types.

COMBINATIONS
A combination logo incorporates a symbol/icon and the brand name in a single
design, making it versatile and effective for conveying the visual and textual
aspects of a brand. However, the success of a combination logo depends on
the balance between the elements and the ability to effectively communicate
the brand message.
FAVICON
A favicon is a small icon that appears in the browser tab next to the website
title. It's a crucial part of the website's branding and can enhance the website's
visual appeal. Favicon can help users identify and remember the website
easily, even when they have multiple tabs open. However, designing a favicon
can be a challenging task as it needs to be small and concise, yet visually
appealing and instantly recognizable.

There are different common logo types used by graphic designers, each with its unique features and purposes.
It's essential to choose the right type based on the brand's identity and audience for an effective visual representation.
 COLORTYPE GUIDE
Color types refer to the different ways in which colors are created, mixed, or used in design.
This includes RGB, CMYK, Pantone, and more. Understanding color types is important for
designers to ensure that the colors in their designs are accurate and consistent across different
platforms and media.

RGB sRGB

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is a color model used for digital displays. It creates
a wide range of colors using varying intensities of red, green, and blue light.
RGB is commonly used in web design and digital photography, but may not
translate accurately to printed materials.
sRGB (standard Red Green Blue) is a color space that defines a standard
range of colors used for digital imaging. It is designed to be consistent
across different devices and platforms, ensuring that images appear
similar across various displays. sRGB is commonly used in web design,
digital photography, and other digital media applications.

CMYK PANTONE

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is a color model used in printing. Pantone is a color matching system for design that uses specific codes to
It uses varying intensities of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink to create ensure consistent color reproduction. It's widely used in branding
a wide range of colors. CMYK is commonly used in professional printing, and marketing, and available in various products like swatch books
but may not display accurately on digital screens. and printing inks.

DPI PPI

DPI (dots per inch) measures the resolution of an image for print. Higher DPI PPI (pixels per inch) measures digital image resolution. Higher PPI generally
can result in better image quality, but also larger file sizes and longer printing times. means better image quality, but can result in larger file sizes and slower
Optimal DPI varies depending on the intended use and printing method. loading times. Optimal PPI varies depending on intended use and
viewing platform.

There are various color types used in design, with RGB, CMYK, and Pantone being some of the most common.
Knowing the differences and best uses for each can greatly impact design quality and accuracy.
 SOCIAL MEDIA
GUIDE
Social media is all about visuals, and understanding the different formats can make or break your posts.
From the square images of Instagram to the vertical videos of TikTok, each social media platform has its
own preferred format. Knowing the right format for each platform can help you create engaging and
effective content. Let's explore the world of social media formats and make your posts stand out!

INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE

Reels 1080x1920 Videos 1920x1080

Single Photo Posts 1080x1080 Shorts 1080x1920
Carousel Photo Posts 1080x1080 Posts 1080x1080
Video Posts 1920x1080 Live Videos 1920x1080
Live Videos 1080x1920
Guides 3:4
Stories 1920x1080

FACEBOOK TIKTOK

Reels 1080x1920 Videos 1080x1920

Single Photo Posts 1080x1080 Live Videos 1080x1920
Carousel Photo Posts 1080x1080 Stories 1080x1920
Video Posts 1920x1080
Live Videos 1920x1080
Text Posts Free
Stories 1920x1080

TWITTER PINTEREST

Single Photo Posts 1600x900 Reels 1200x1800

Carousel Photo Posts 800x418 Single Photo Posts 1000x1500
Video Posts 1280x1024 Carousel Photo Posts 1000x1500
Live Videos 1920x1080 Video Posts 1080x1920
Links 280-character limit GIFs free
Text Tweets 280-character limit Stories 1080x1920
 THANK YOU!

Thank you for taking the time to read my graphic design guide. I hope that it has

provided you with valuable insights and inspired you to continue creating your

own designs. Remember, design is a constant learning process, and the more

you practice, the better you will become. Don't be afraid to experiment with

new ideas and techniques, and never give up on your creative vision. Keep

pushing yourself to create designs that are both visually appealing and

functional. I encourage you to continue designing and exploring your creativity.

For more inspiration and design tips, follow me on social media, where I

regularly share new content and insights. Thank you again for your interest, and

happy designing!