Graphic design is the art of masterfully combining ideas, images and texts. It aims to captivate audiences, communicate a message, and leave a lasting impression. Understanding the definition and theoretical principles of graphic design is easy. Putting the theories into practice is another thing altogether.
Hiring a professional graphic designer ensures that your design choices will work in your favour. But if you want to try your hand in graphic design, then you have to pay attention to the seven basic graphic design elements.
Line
Line is the simplest design element. A line is a single path that deviates from a straight line. It may be straight, curved, crooked, or broken. They can also vary in context, form, length and weight.
Lines can define shapes, organise pieces of information, imply movement and convey emotions. They can also provide direction and structure, as well as communicate moods and messages.
Shape
Shapes are close outline-bound areas, figures and forms. There are two distinct types of shapes: free-flowing (organic) and geometric.
Geometric shapes are either three-dimensional or two-dimensional forms made from lines and points. Geometric shapes include circles, spheres, ellipses and all polygon iterations. On the other hand, free-flowing shapes do not exhibit the same uniformity, proportionality, and definition that geometric shapes do. They are more organic and can include abstract shapes, blobs, crystals, leaves and squiggles.
Colour
Colour is one of the most influential design elements. The use of colour has greatly influenced society and culture in all parts of the world. Colour can change a person's mood, and it can affect his buying behaviour. Colour can reflect a specific culture or attract an audience.
Colour comes in three dimensions. There is a colour we see, which is called the colour's hue. The amount of light reflected by the colour is called the colour's value. The colour's intensity is also called the colour's saturation. However, to best harness the power of colour, an understanding of colour theory is needed.
Texture
Texture is the surface quality of an object. It is the way something looks when you touch it. It can refer to the surface of an object or the substance it is made of. Texture is a basic design element that can give life to a design.
Emulating texture in a printed or digital design can be tricky. You can draw inspiration from nature and work with organic textures like tree bark and stones. But you can also create an abstract pattern using repeated two-dimensional elements. Texture can add visual interest to a final output. But make sure to use it wisely.
Type
In design, type is the physical appearance of a letter, number or symbol. The typeface is the design of a group or family of types.
Type can make or break a design. It can help turn a boring design into something modern, clean and attention-grabbing.
Space
Space refers to the area within or around two or more objects. It is the area where objects exist. It is the area where a viewer's eye moves. Space is the amount of room between objects.
Spacing can be used to balance out the whole design. The wideness and narrowness of the space between objects can convey various messages and emotions.
Image
An image can be a photo or illustration. Images capture people’s attention while expressing a particular message. It provides context, adds drama, exhibits action and creates the mood.
Choosing the right image is crucial. You need to find a photo that is aligned with your message and expresses your ideas and intention. However, always remember to choose photos and high-quality illustrations rather than clip art images. If you cannot afford a stock image subscription, some websites offer stock images for free without any attribution requirement.
Conclusion
The elements of graphic design are essential in good design. They should be used strategically to effectively communicate a message. They can be combined to create unique designs that can inspire, educate, entertain, and more.
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