Intro Graphic Design Review
Stroke
A Stroke is basically the outline of an element. You could also call it a "Border." Stroke is not limited to only shapes, but can also be used on line segments.
Sans Serif
A Typeface without serifs, e.g. Modern.
Drop Shadow
A commonly used visual effect consisting of drawing that looks like the shadow of an object, giving the impression that the object is raised above the objects behind it.
Hierarchy
A good design contains elements that lead the reader through each element in order of its significance. The type and images should be expressed starting from most important to the least.
Opacity
A layer's overall opacity determines to what degree it obscures or reveals the layer beneath it. A layer with 1% opacity appears nearly transparent, whereas one with 100% opacity appears completely opaque.
Bitmap
A pattern used in forming paint-type graphic images or type characters with a series of dots, with a certain number of dots per inch.
Illustrator
A resolution independent, vector graphics and illustration application used to create logos, icons, drawings, typography and complex illustrations for any medium.
Swatch
A sample of a specific color, either printed or stored digitally, used to describe a particular printing ink or combination of printing ink colors.
Thumbnail
A small drawing on paper (usually part of a group) used to explore multiple ideas quickly. Thumbnail sketches are similar to doodles, but may include as much detail as a small sketch.
Visual Hierarchy
A solution in which the viewer knows what to look at first, second, third etc.
Point
A unit of measurement in typography. 12 points in a pica or 1/72 of an inch.
Pica
A unit of measurement used for type. A pica is equal to 12 points and 1/6th of an inch.
Vector
A vector graphic is created in paths. The paths permit a person to change an image's size easily without pixilated edges.
Kerning
Adjusting the spacing between specific letters/characters.
Alignment
Align images, text and graphics for structure and to achieve a more visually appealing page. It is the arrangement of elements in a fixed or predetermined position.
Gradient
Allows the user to fill an object/ image with a smooth transition of colors.
Baseline
An imaginary line upon which characters seem to stand.
Grids
An invisible structure used as a guide, to help arrange elements on the page.
Margin
Any deliberately un-printed space on a page, especially surrounding a block of text. Margins are used not only to aid in the aesthetics and the readability of a page, but also to provide allowances for trimming, binding, and other post-press operations.
Shape
Areas defined by edges within the design, whether geometric or organic.
Proximity
Arranging similar elements together on a page, closeness. The appropriate spacing of elements in the layout. Elements that have a relationship should be placed close to each other.
Principles of Design
Balance, Alignment, Gradient, Repetition, Proximity, Unity/Harmony, Hierarchy, Similarity/Contrast, Variety, Rhythm, Dominance/Emphasis, Movement, Mass/Size, Perspective, Pattern, Scale/Proportion, White Space, Simplicity, Function, Negative Space and Focus.
Uppercase
Capital letters or caps of the alphabet. Abbreviated as Caps, UC or simply C.
Symmetrical
Centered and Balance. It offers a conservative, safe and peaceful atmosphere when designing.
Contrast
Contrast is a mix of elements to stimulate attention. Contrast in size or color, of different elements on a page to make it visually interesting.
CMYK
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, the four used in full-color process printing.
Bridge
Digital asset management application for centralizing your creative assets.
Dominance
Dominance is created by contrasting size, positioning, color, style, or shape. The focal point should dominate the design with scale and contrast without sacrificing the unity of the whole.
Balance
Equal distribution of weight. When a design is balanced we tend to feel that it holds together. Symmetrical and asymmetrical balance.
GIF
GIF images display up to 256 colors. GIF images generally have very small file sizes and are the most widely used graphic format on the web. The low quality resulting from compression makes them unsuitable for professional printing.
Grayscale
Grayscale images contains black, white and 254 shades of gray.
Guide
Guides help you position images or elements precisely. Guides appear as non-printing lines that float over the image. You can move and remove guides. You can also lock them so that you don't move them by accident.
Repetition
Having elements repeat to create visual consistency. For example, the same font and point size for the body text throughout the page.
Characters
Individual letters, punctuation, numerals and other elements that are used when setting type. A symbol in writing.
JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group, a compression format used for images used on the Internet.
Leading
Line spacing, which is calculated from base line to base line.
Elements
Line, Form, Space, Shape, Color, Texture and Typography
Bezier Curve
Mathematical equations commonly used to describe the shapes of characters in electronic typography.
Asymmetrical
Off-balance. It offers a fun and energetic mood when designing.
Crop
One basic way to modify images is to crop them — remove some part of the image. Cropping changes the appearance of images in order to better fit the layout, make a statement, or improve the overall appearance of the design.
Focal Point
Part of the design that is emphasized, so the viewer sees it first.
Ascender
Part of the lowercase letter that extends above the X-height, e.g. b, d or h.
Descender
Part of the lowercase letter that falls below the baseline, e.g. p, y, or g.
PSD
Photoshop document, the default file extension of the proprietary file format of Photoshop.
Pixel
Picture Element, it is a square dot that represents the smallest unit displayed on a computer screen. Also, a single point in an electronic image.
Photoshop
Pixel-based, image editing and compositioning application which is the de facto industry standard in raster graphics editing.
Portable Document Format
PNG
Portable Network Graphics format. PNG (usually pronounced "ping"), is used for lossless compression. The PNG format displays images without jagged edges while keeping file sizes relatively small, making them popular on the web. PNG files are however generally larger than GIF files. PNG supports transparency.
RGB
Red, Green and Blue the colors on computer monitors.
Letter or Word Spacing
Refers to the space between letters and words respectively.
Rulers
Rulers help you position images or elements precisely. When visible, rulers appear along the top and left side of the active window. Markers in the ruler display the pointer's position when you move it.
Selection
Selection refers to an area of an image that is selected (isolated) so it can be edited while the rest of the image is protected.
Lowercase
Small letters of the alphabet, abbreviated as lc.
Emphasis
Something that is singled out or made more prominent has emphasis. An element of a design that dominates or becomes the center of interest has emphasis.
Layout
The arrangement of elements such as type and visuals on a page or screen.
Focus
The center of interest or activity, the focal point.
Unity
The elements in a design that look as though they belong together. It gives a sense of oneness with consistency and repetition.
Rhythm
The flow or movement established by repeating or varying the visual elements.
Weight
The measurement of a stroke's width.
Resolution
The number of dots in an image's screen display or printed output.
Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds states that an image is most pleasing when its subjects or regions are composed along imaginary lines which divide the image into thirds — both vertically and horizontally. It is a powerful compositional technique for making designs more interesting and dynamic.
Serif
The small finishing strokes or hairline strokes that project from the main stroke of a letter, e.g. Times New Roman.
Porportion
The visual size and weight of a each graphic element on the page.
vector graphic
Unlike JPEGs, GIFs, and BMP images, vector graphics are not made up of a grid of pixels. Instead, vector graphics are comprised of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way.
Shift Key
Used to constrain (scale) an element or a layer in proportion.
Columns
Vertical containers that hold type or images.
Asymmetrical Balance
When the left and right sides of the design are unequal. It is created with a mismatched number of different elements.
group
a command in a graphics program that combines all selected objects into a single group, so that they can be manipulated as a single entity.
send to back
a command in a graphics program to move the current object to the back layer.
JPG
a compressed graphics file format specifically designed for storing photographs.
transparency
a property of a graphic image that allows background objects to be seen through the object. Usually adjustable from 0% to 100%.
eyedropper
a tool in a graphics program that can pick up a colour from the canvas for use elsewhere.
color palette
data that represents the set of colours used in a graphic
distortion
happens when you resize a graphic object in one direction only, using one of the side handles instead of the corner handles.
resolution
how many pixels a monitor can display or are contained in an image.
Scale
is relative. A graphic element can appear larger or smaller depending on the size, placement, and color of the elements around it. When elements are all the same size, the design feels flat. Contrast in size can create a sense of tension as well as a feeling of depth and movement.
handle
one of the small black boxes around the side of the selected graphic object.
cropping
removing unwanted parts from around the edge of a graphic
Margins
the area above, below, left & right of the live area. Art can continue outside the live area into the margins, but this should never be a crucial part of the page as it comes close to the trim line & could be cut off.
stroke
the edge of a shape.
fill
the interior of a shape.
pixel
the smallest part of a screen or a graphic image that can have its colour and brightness controlled.
justification
to align text either to the left/right or both margins
