SH1645

Introduction to Graphic Design

I. What is Graphic Design?
• The art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual
and textual content.
• Also called Communications Design.
• Communicates an idea or experience by grabbing a person’s attention in a variety
of ways.

II. Tools of the Trade

• Traditional Media consists of drawing materials that can be used to easily make a
designer’s ideas come to life. Common materials for traditional media are pencils,
pens, and paper.
• The Camera is used to visually document a diverse collection of photographs a
designer can find inspiring, such as intricate natural patterns and candid shots.
• The Computer is arguably the most important tool for graphic designers as it
facilitates the conversion of traditional design to digital design, allowing design to
take on many forms using its various hardware and software.
• Image Editing Software is used to modify images and photographs. It is
considered the evolved form of traditional media because it can convert traditional
design into digital design.
• Other Software may be required by a graphic designer as he sees fit. Notable
examples are video editing software (Windows Movie Maker), animation software
(Adobe Animate), and screen capture software (Fraps).
• Other Hardware may also be required according to the design that is being
created. Notable examples are soundboards for audio adding and editing, drawing
tablets for digital illustration and design, and recording devices for video capturing
and recording.

III. Products of Graphic Design

• Logos are signs, text, and symbols used by companies and organizations to
identify themselves.
• Packaging can be usually found on commercial products to convey information
and/or catch attention of potential buyers.
• Posters are used to advertise an event or service by containing information on the
nature of an event or service and to convey them in as simple as a glance on it.
• Book Covers use provocative and appealing design to convey the nature or plot
of a book.
• Environmental Graphics make use of both design and the actual physical
environment to give a unique feel as to what message is being conveyed or what
the environment is all about.
• Interactive Design is mostly digital design that can be interacted with. The design
itself can be played around, such as being clicked, scrolled, or slid left/right using
a touchscreen. This type of design is mostly associated to websites and mobile
apps.

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References:
• Design School - 15 Awesome Tools No Graphic Design Pro Can Live Without
(n.d.). Retrieved at July 4, 2016 at https://designschool.canva.com/blog/tools-
graphic-designs-cant-live-without/.
• GNU Image Manipulation Program - User Manual (n.d.). Retrieved at June 30,
2016 at http://docs.gimp.org/2.8/en/
• Lecarme, O., Delvare K. (2013). The Book of GIMP. No Starch Press
• Smith, J., Joost, R. (2012). GIMP for Absolute Beginners. Apress
• Landreth, K. (2013). How to GIMP. Self-published
• Udemy - Graphic Design 101: Why that Logo is so Compelling (n.d.). Retrieved at
June 30, 2016 at https://www.udemy.com/graphic-design-secrets/.
• Wikibooks – GIMP (n.d). Retrieved at June 30, 2016 at
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/GIMP

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