Adobe Visual Design (1.00-5.00)

Gradient

A gradual change of color within a design component.

Color Profile

A pre-determined subset of specific colors assigned to an image.

Patterns

A repeating pattern fills the image with unique assortment of shapes and colors.

Quick Selection

A selection tool to quickly "paint" a selection using a round brush tip.

Proportion

A size relationship between components of a design.

Brush Tool

A tool that allows you to apply and draw with brushes to create artistic elements.

Spot Healing Brush

A tool that allows you to replace unwanted parts of the image with pixels near it.

Straighten Tool

A tool that can straighten an image.

Formal Balance

AKA Symmetrical balance. Design is exactly equal on both sides.

Informal Balance

AKA asymmetrical balance. Both sides of the design are not equal, but are still balanced.

Diagonal Lines

Add interest to a design.

Color Correction

Adjusting the color values of a graphic to make them appear more realistic or to meet the desired effect.

True Color

All possible color combinations.

1-Bit

Black & White

Low Resolution

Blurry in appearance. Relatively small file size.

Horizontal Lines

Carry eye left and right. Convey a feeling of calm or peacefulness.

Vertical Lines

Carry eye up and down. Convey a feeling of awe.

Emphasis

Center of interest in a design. Component of the design that is noticed first by the audience.

Free Transform

Change by using rotate, scale, skew, distort, or perspective into a continuous operation.

Destructive Editing

Changes the original photo in a way that cannot be reversed after saving and closing.

Non-Destructive Editing

Changes to the original photo that can always be reversed.

Scaling

Changing a graphic's size dimensions (height and weight).

Adjusting Levels

Changing highlights, shadows, and mid-tones of a photo.

Elements of Design

Color Line Shape Texture

Complementary Colors

Colors across from each other on the color wheel work well together when used in a design.

Texture

Combination of dots, lines, and colors used create the illusion of a surface appearance. Adds depth and dimension to a design.

Tools Panel

Contains tools for creating and editing images, artwork, page elements.

Smart Object

Converting a photo or a graphic to a smart object allows it to be scaled, rotated, or warped without losing the original quality.

Adjust Video Settings

Create a new document. Choose Film & Video preset. Choose appropriate size option.

Rhythm

Creating the feeling of movement in a design.

Options Bar Control Panel

Displays options for the currently selected tool.

Color Panel

Displays the color values for the current foreground and background colors.

Document Panel

Displays the file you are working on.

History Panel

Each time you apply a change to an image, the new state of that image is added to the panel.

Cropping

Eliminating unwanted parts of a graphic.

.TGA

Format most commonly used by digital scanners. Full color format Large file size.

Curved Lines

Gently bent. Give a soft, relaxed feel to a design.

Lines

Give direction to a design. Create movement in a design. Thick lines show importance, thin lines demonstrate quick movement.

Color

Helps identify objects in a design. Communicates feelings and moods to the audience or viewer. Consists of hue, saturation, and brightness.

Balance

How design elements are arranged either horizontally or vertically on the canvas.

Brightness

How light or dark a color appears; adding black or white changes a color's brightness.

Production

Import or place existing graphics onto canvas using a digital graphic editing software. Draw or create original graphics.

8-Bit

Indexed Color (256 colors)

.GIF

Indexed color format. Supports simple transparency layer.

Layers Panel

Lists all layers, layer groups, and layer effects in an image.

Grids and Rulers

Measuring tools used to assist in the scaling, arranging, and spacing of design components.

Pre-Production

Meet with clients to create project plan. Determine the purpose of the graphic design. Define target audience.

.JPEG (JPG)

Most common graphic file format. Full color graphic format Small file size

.PSD

Native file type used by Adobe Photoshop. Does not compress layers of a design, allowing for future editing.

Publish Graphics

Optimize the graphic for specific client needs: File format requirements File size requirements File name requirements

CMYK (Cyan, Yellow, Magenta Black)

Optimized for printing purposes.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

Optimized for viewing on a screen.

Dithering

Pixels of similar colors to replace the colors that cannot be displayed.

Filters

Preset effects applied to entire graphic used to quickly adjust a graphic's appearance.

Principles of Design

Proportion Balance Rhythm Emphasis Unity/Harmony

Post-Production

Re-design the graphic based on client feedback (if necessary). Create proof preview to see how the graphic design will look on particular output device. Submit finalized version(s).

Retouching

Removing unwanted elements and/or blemishes from a photo to enhance the visual quality.

Optimize for Web

Save in web friendly format: JPEG GIF PNG PDF

Marquee Selection

Selects in the shape specified: Rectangle Elliptical Single Row Single Column

Layering

Separating components of a design individually or into groups in order to make adjustments specific to the layer.

Generate for Print

Set image to resolution to 300 ppi Convert to CMYK Use lossless or un-compressed format

Feathering/Blending

Smoothing or blurring the edges of an image to help transition into the background or into another image.

.PNG

Supports advanced transparency. Average file size. Can be interlaced, optimizing for internet use.

Selection

Surrounding specific part(s) of a graphic to make individual adjustments.

Saturation

The amount of hue used in a particular color.

Exposure

The amount of light in a photo.

Contrast

The amount of separation between the darkest areas of a photo and the brightest areas.

Shape

The form of an object. When Lines enclose a space.

Fill

The inside of a color of a closed shape.

Hue

The name given to a color.

Stacking Order

The order in which the images and graphics lay on top of one another.

Stroke

The outline of a shape, text, or image.

Sharpness

The property of a photo that describes the clarity of detail.

Color Gamut

The range of colors that is defined by the color profile.

Magic Wand

This tool will allow you to make selections by color, pattern and stroke weight.

Lasso Selection

Three versions of lasso selection tool all enable free-hand draw around image to be selected: Lasso Polygonal Lasso Magnetic Lasso

24-Bit

True Color (16.7 million colors)

Vector Graphics

Use mathematical formulas to define lines, points, curves, and other attributes. Do not lose clarity when viewed up close or zoomed in.

Bitmap Graphics

Use square pixels arranged in a grid that have assigned colors. Lose clarity when viewed up close or zoomed in.

Black & White

Uses only true black and true white.

Grayscale

Uses true black, true white, and all shades of gray in between.

.TIFF

Versatile graphic type that can use a variety of color formats. Format works best for desktop publishing or print work.

High Resolution

Very clear in appearance. Relatively large file size.

Unity/Harmony

When all components of a design look as if they belong together.

Images for Video

You can produce images for specific video systems: NTSC PAL HDTV

Paint Program

bitmap graphic editing program that creates and/or edits photos or bitmap images (ex. Adobe Photoshop)

Draw Program

vector graphic editing program that is commonly used for logos, icons, and other scalable graphics (ex. Adobe Illustrator)