Graphic Design: an Overview for Beginners

 

INTRODUCTION

Modern graphic design is seen in lots of promotional material, websites, operating systems (which makes your computer or phone work), and even in decorating homes and stores! There are lots of types of modern graphic design, but two of the most prominent at this time are flat design and material design, which we’ll see more about later on. We’ll take a look at company and website brandings, and how graphic design plays a role in marketing different products.

 

FLAT DESIGN

Flat design is a form of graphic design commonly used in technology with lots of visuals, such as phones, computers and tablets. This style of design is easy to look at and promotes simplicity, depicting objects in a visually appealing way. It minimizes effects such as gradients, shadows, and textures, as well as removing any (or most) three-dimensional illusion, which is what makes it contrast with material design. It is often placed in the same category as minimalist design, a form of design commonly used in brandings featuring one “focus object”, or the object or design the picture is of. This is usually a logo or a simple drawing of some sort. The rest of the picture is taken up by a solid colour or photo, the latter usually being edited to make sure the focus object is visible. While minimalist design is very similar to flat design, it is important to differentiate the two if you intend to go further on the subject of modern graphic design.

 

MATERIAL DESIGN

Material design, dubbed “Quantum Paper” is a variation of flat design created and mainly used by Google, but is also used elsewhere. It is similar to flat design in many ways, including the use of a simplistic user interface, aesthetically pleasing designs and colour combinations, but allows the use of gradients as shadows. Unlike flat design, material design displays “layers”, creating a 3D effect in the design. This ties the “outdated” skeuomorphic design, which tries to recreate an object with graphic design as realistically as possible, and the ever-present flat design, in a way that makes an easy-to-view interface with a touch of reality to it.

 

GRAPHICS TYPES

A question you might begin to ask yourself as you read into graphic design is “What’s a vector editor, what’s a bitmap editor, and what’s the difference?” These are your two average graphics editors, and the simple difference is as follows:

A vector editor works in layers and shapes, while a bitmap editor is pixel-by-pixel. You have probably all used a bitmap editor, programs such as Microsoft Paint, Photoshop, and GIMP are a few good examples of common bitmap (raster) editors. On the other hand, finding a person who has worked with a vector editor is a harder feat. A vector editor is slightly harder to wrap your mind around, so many people stick to bitmap’s “doodle-based” editor. Vector editors have a “layer” for every shape you make, and because they are stored in shapes, they can be blown up (made larger) without looking fuzzy or pixelated. This appeals to many graphic designers, so many styles have been created to be practical and easy to make with a vector editor. Some common vector editors among graphic designers include Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, and Sketch (program for Mac only) While some programs, such as Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and Adobe Freehand are unbelievably expensive, many great design programs are free, including Inkscape, Embroidermodder, Dia, Synfig, and more. Having covered bitmap and vector, I believe you are quite prepared for the next few paragraphs. Have fun in the world of graphic design!

 

APPLE: AHEAD OF THE GAME?

Apple. I’m sure that along with the fruit, images of phones, tablets, and computers come to mind. Nine iPhones are sold every second, as of January 2015. This massive company makes fairly average phones, so what sets them apart? You guessed it: graphic design. The “look” of the phone and it’s operating system reels in customers and followers, fast. While under the Steve Jobs leadership, Apple was well-known for it’s use of skeuomorphic design in it’s software. (explained in section 3: Material Design) However, after Jobs’ passing in 2011, a designer who had been supporting this style with Jobs, resigned, leaving Apple designer Jonathan Ive in his place, who made his dislike for the style known widely throughout the company. Flat design took it’s place in Apple’s products instead, first appearing in iOS 7. It was a hit. By August 2014, 91% of Apple’s devices ran iOS 7. Why? It’s trendy. People want a phone that looks modern and cool, and as of now, flat design is that style. Apple may be ahead of the game, but that doesn’t put others out of play just yet.

 

DIY: GRAPHIC DESIGN

Before you try to make anything yourself, look around at what’s popular. Although everyone has their own personal art style, it’s much safer to stick to the trends when you’re new to graphic design, especially if you want your style to be noticed. Bend the rules a bit, and make sure you aren’t copying others. It turns another person’s style into your own. This is incredibly important when you’re using a tutorial, and it is all too easy to compare your version to theirs. Instead, try to see your art through somebody else’s eyes. Eventually you’ll be comfortable enough with the program you’re using to make something original, and you’ll be surprised how much better it looks when you’re no longer comparing yourself with someone else.

 

THE AGE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN

Look around again. How many things can you find in your home, in your neighborhood, in your city, that have been designed by our digital artists? You’ll be surprised by the millions of websites, companies, and more that revolve around graphic design. In the end, nothing is better than a good first impression.