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)