Module 7 Elements of Graphic Design
But we don t know a thing about it! Don t try to act smart. Look, there is a graphic design competition! Should we take part? We should just ask Zubiya Ma am, she'll know what to do
Hi kids! How come you are here at this time? We have to make a poster for World Environment Day and they take digital entries only. Please show us how to enter for a graphic design competition!
Okay kids, let's learn a few basic elements of graphic design. This should get you started on your posters. Elements of Graphic Design
Line A line is a one-dimensional, continuous set of all the points between two fixed points. A line can be straight or curved. In graphic design, you use lines for: composition, emphasis, connection and patterns.
Composition Lines can be used to create a border, margin, or to give shape to the design idea. You could also use lines to create layouts. The content is arranged within these grids.
Composition You could use lines to form circles and triangles. Circles help to show relationships. Maslow s pyramid Image source : https://www.userlike.com/en/blog/consumer-needs Circular flow diagram Triangles are useful in depicting hierarchies.
Emphasis Lines can be used to emphasise certain words and phrases by underlining them. This helps key words to stand out, by drawing the viewer s attention.
Patterns You can use both curved and straight lines to create patterns within the graphic. Image source : https://www.designboom.com/art/guebasketball-court-painting-alessandria-italy01-27-2017/ Image source : http://abduzeedo.com/penrosetriangle-inspiration
Colour Colour adds mood. You can use it to produce an effect on the viewer. A coloured graphic gives off an energetic vibe but you have to take care that the colours do not create a gaudy effect. However, colour is not everything, even a black and white visual can induce a mood. Image source : www.thetraveltester.com/vintage-travel-posters-new-york
Primary (Additive) Colours There are three primary colours Red, Green and Blue (RGB). These three colours can be added to make the three secondary colours Cyan (sky blue), Magenta and Yellow (CMY).
Warm and Cool Warm and cool are terms that describe the mood that colours can induce. Warm colours are yellow, orange, red and their derivatives. The effect is hot and bright. Image source : https://it.pinterest.com/pin/441141725972934741/?lp=true Cool colours are green, blue, violet and their shades. These colours are common in water bodies, forests and mountains. They produce a cooling and relaxing mood.
Contrast Contrast is the distinction between two colors placed next to each other. A dark blue circular element in the center and a ring of lime green around it would create a high contrast between the two areas. In comparison, if the circular area was a light blue and the outer ring light green, then the contrast would be reduced. You have to use contrast to produce the desired effect.
Saturation and Value Saturation or chroma can be described as colourfulness. A certain object can be called red.but when compared with other red things, it may seem to be less red, because it has more white, making it look pinkish. Other shades may have more black, which takes them towards the maroon side. In digital design, a numerical value is used to denote the shades of colors and you can mix colors accordingly.
Isn t that sari a bit too bright in colour? Sensitivity to Eyes Our eyes are most sensitive to yellow, green, and blue light because humans have evolved with elements like sunlight, fire, trees, sky and water in our surroundings. Our eyes are sensitive to even minor changes in these colours. Amongst them green and blue are usually more relaxing on the eyes while yellow excites slightly.
Texture Texture is a quality that we usually associate with touch. We refer to the texture of fabrics, floors, walls, food etc. While the texture in graphic design cannot be touched and felt, in the same way, it uses ideas about texture to communicate. Image source : www.savethearctic.com Image source ; www.behance.net/gallery/368346/melandoric You can use texture as another way to reinforce the mood of the message.
Size Size is about prioritizing the content. The main message of the design comes first. Size can be used to draw attention by enlarging the size of the central idea, reducing text in size as the eye travels away from it. Image source: whatafoxgraphics.wordpress.com One can also start with small font and pictures on the top, steadily increasing as you go down the page and have a large final image or line of text which strengthens the main idea.
Shape Shape is another element of graphic design. Straight and curved lines create various shapes which can be used creatively. You can make intricate layouts like the one here. Shapes can also be used as large fields on the page in which text, images, and other content can be placed. Image source : www.flickr.com
Space The concept of space in graphic design is about composing your layout within the boundaries of a page. If there are too many elements, it can become crowded. Conversely, if the graphic has too much empty space or is imbalanced towards one side, the poster can look asymmetrical. An over-crowded poster design Image source :www.s-media.cache-ako-pining.com
Space If the message is concise, short, and strong, a minimal design with an empty background and a small central element can be very powerful. An example of a balanced poster Image source: www.canva.com
And here are our poster design competition winners, Rafi, Raju and Richa! Graphic Design Competition
The World of Blogging Module 7: Elements of Graphic Design Creative team Research Feroze Chandra Script Parjanya Joshi Design & illustrations Divya Varghese and Prashant Chaurasiya Editing samata.shiksha team THE END