Lesson 1: Graphic Design

• This course is about graphic design. In this lesson, we will be discussing what it is.
We will also go over the basic concepts in computer graphics. We will also start
exploring Inkscape, which is the graphics editor application that we will be using
for the course.

Objectives
After studying this lesson, you should be able to:
• define graphic design,
• review the elements and principles of design;
• know the difference between raster and vector graphics; and
• start using Inkscape.
Introducing Graphic Design
Graphic design is the systematic and methodical process of creating visuals that
communicate messages effectively.

Example of Good Graphics Example of Bad Graphics

The elements of design are the basic units that make up a visual.
The principles of design provide guidelines on how to put these elements together.

These principles are interrelated, and deciding how to apply one principle can impact
how others can be accommodated.
What is Computer Graphics?
Computer graphics deals with how visuals and images can be generated, processed, and
manipulated using computers.

Vector images Raster images

File Types
Introduction to Inkscape

Inkscape is a vector
graphics editing
application.
To download go to:
https://inkscape.org/.
The Inkscape
GUI
Setting Up the Canvas
Click File > New from Template or
press Ctrl + Alt + N.

To Modify the existing blank

document
Click File > Document Properties or
press Ctrl + Shift + D

To Save a File
Click File > Save or press Ctrl + S
Inkscape’s default file format is SVG.
 Lesson 2: Lines, Curves, and Shapes
• In this lesson, we will be starting to create some basic design elements. Inkscape
allows us to draw lines, manipulate curves, and create shapes. We will also be
exploring colors, fills, and strokes.

Objectives
After studying this lesson, you should be able to:
• use Inkscape’s basic drawing tools;
• draw lines, curves, and shapes; and
• apply colors and effects.
Main Tools and
Shortcuts
Main Tools and
Shortcuts
Lines
Inkscape provides two ways for us to draw lines of the canvas.

First: Using Freehand Tool

Click Freehand tool in the Tool Box or
press the P key.
Freehand tool allows you to draw
lines on the canvas by clicking and
dragging your cursor on the canvas.
Lines and outlines in vector images are
made visible by setting color and
thickness values. This is referred to as
the stroke.

To change the width of an object’s

stroke, press Shift + Ctrl + F.
Lines
Inkscape provides two ways for us to draw lines of the canvas.

Second: Using Bezier Curves tool

Click Bezier Curves tool in the Tool Box
or press the B key.

Bezier (pronounced BEH-zee-ay)

curves are displayed using a
mathematical formula. Bezier curves
will appear smooth no matter the
scale.
Paths and Curves

If you select either of the straight lines you have drawn, you will notice that it is
simply a connection between two points. We can use multiple points or “nodes” to
create multiple line segments or Bezier curves. This sequence of nodes is called a
path.
Switch to the Select tool. Double click on our line
object. It will reveal the nodes and line segments
(collectively, the path) created from our cursor
movement.

Using Bezier Curves tool, create straight line

segments by clicking on the start and end nodes. Or
click, hold, and drag while creating a node to curve
the line. Double-clicking while drawing a line or
pressing Enter “ends” the path.

Switch to the Select tool again and double-click

on the path we just created. This will reveal the
nodes and curves that comprise our path.
To edit paths, select the Edit Paths by Nodes tool or
press N.

To change the segment curves, click and drag the

handles of the node.

To delete a node, select it and press Del.

 Shapes and Colors
Creating Shapes

Rectangles and Squares - Circles, Ellipses, Arcs - Stars and Polygons -

Press R or F4. Press E or F5. Press *.
To switch between stars and polygons, select the shape in the Tools Command Bar. You
can also set the number of corners of the shape you want to draw.
Fill and Stroke

Fill settings determine the color of the area

inside the shapes.

Create any shape. Select it and open up the Fill

and Stroke options by pressing Ctrl + Shift + F.

You can pick among the available color models,

including RGB(Red, Green, Blue) and
CMYK(Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). You can
also use the Wheel option.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fill Options

1. No Paint
2. Flat Color
3. Linear Gradient
4. Radial Gradient
5. Mesh
6. Pattern
7. Swatch
8. Unset Paint
Choosing Colors
A tool that can help you find which colors are in harmony is the color
wheel.
Basic Color Combinations

Complementary Monochromatic Analogous

Triadic Tetradic
Transforming Objects
Inkscape allows us to transform objects by scaling, rotating, or “shearing” them.

To scale or resize an object, select the Select

tool or press S.
Click on an object.
Click and drag on any of the corners.

You may also scale a selection by manually

entering the width and height values in the Tools
Control Bar.
To rotate a selection, press Shift + S while using
the Select tool.

We can also shear or skew objects.

While using the rotate/shear option,
click and drag on the middle arrows.

To move the axis, click on the crosshair at the

middle of the object and drag it to a new
position.
Please review our lesson

tulog early kaun damo!