Web Resources-Graphic Design Folder

As I read through the websites the first thing I learned was the definition of Graphic design, which is the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience. This is not something that I would have went out of my way to learn unless driven by this class. Graphic design has never come up on my radar as something I would have ever imaged to be important to include in my list of things to learn. Until I learned its impact on my everyday life and how graphic design is all around me and can be found everywhere in my day to day life in the form of

• logos
• advertisements
• product pakaging
• magazine layouts
• websites
• brochures
• posters
• newpaper layout
• business cards
• billboards
• book design
• greeting cards

and this list barely scratches the surface.

Until I read this information, I didn't really think about it much. Now I look around at everything looking for the graphic design and whether the basic principles we learned in class are present.

The next thing I learned was the (3) basics relating to graphic design, Print verses Web Design, the elements of design, and the graphic design process.

1. Print Design vs. Web Design

Print Design

• magazine ads
• product design & packaging
• business cards
• logos

vs.

Web Design

• flash websites
• email newletters
• html websites
• banner advertising

2. The (6) Elements of Graphic Design

• shape
• lines
• color
• type
• art illustration & photography
• texture

3. The (7) Steps to Graphic Design

• gather information
• create outline
• harness creativity
• sketches & wireframes
• design multiple versions
• revisions
• stick to the steps

I never really thought about what was involved in bringing a graphic design to market. Eventhough, all the steps make sense the last step is what intrigued me the most. In today's fast paced world we are always trying to find ways to cut corners to get to the end result, yet in graphic design to get to the end result there is no cutting corners if you want the process to be successful.

The next thing I leaned was something called Letter Anatomy and its elements

• baseline
• meanline
• x height
• cap height
• ascender
• descender
• serifs
• stem
• bar
• bowl
• counter
• leg
• shoulder

What all this means exactly I'm still not sure of, but in the weeks to come I am sure this information will come to bare fruit?

I never really thought about the role that graphic design plays on my everday life. It turns out it is pretty extensive. It is everywhere and in everything. It influences everything about our lives from soup to nuts. I guess I really never thought about that much.