Elements of Graphic Design
Graphic Design is more accessible than ever, meaning there’s a lot of bad design out there. Lucky for you, GCFLearnFree.org came out with a wonderful course laying out everything you need to know, and avoid the pitfalls of bad designs. Whether you’re making a poster, chyron, or full on animated video, you’ll be able to apply all the concepts here to make your end product stand out.
In this first video, they go over the most basic elements of any visual design, and how they can be adjusted to contribute to whole, cohesive piece.
Layout & Composition
Now that you have all your elements picked out, how do you arrange them in the most pleasing and understandable way possible? Check out the next video to find out!
Typography
Words are important. Learn how to make yours stand out more, how to get your message across, and how to make it look legible and pleasant at the same time.
Color
Believe it or not, color influences you in unimaginable ways. From fashion, to architecture, to street signs and billboards, colors are meant to grab your attention in different ways. Learn to use them to your advantage with the next video!
Using Images
Using the right image for your project is the easiest way to create a professional looking design. Be careful, though, because there are a few other considerations to make. Learn how to use them right, here!
Branding & Identity
It’s time to bring it all together. Even if you’re not designing for a business, branding and identity are important concepts because it informs the reader what kind of message you’re portraying through logos, images, text, etc.
The Gestalt Principles | Basics for Beginners
Let’s take a little detour into theory. TipTut shares a great crash course into the Gestalt Principles of design, as defined by German Psychologists in the 1920s. It’s an insight into how humans interpret the world around us, and how to utilize that understanding in our designs.
Graphic Design in the Real World
Now that you know what to look for, let’s turn to the professionals and see how they apply these basic fundamentals to the world around us.
In PBS’s Off Book series, they explore the different applications where graphic design is not only beautiful, but functional and immediately informational. From packaging (1:33), to environmental design (3:06), to book covers (4:15), learn how visual design affects our everyday decisions and lives.
