Overview

Graphic design is a huge field that challenges creative people to create memorable brands, persuasive messages and eye-catching layouts in an increasingly fast, graphic-laden world. Graphic designers work in everything from web design, printed media and sign-making, through to videography, packaging and video-games.

​The creative skills of graphic designers are in huge demand - but it also a very demanding industry, where not only do designers need to come up with fresh ideas, but also need to have the technical knowledge an skills to produce the chosen concept fo
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Technologies for graphic design

As important as design is, understanding how graphics are produced - digitally and in print - is equally important. You must understand the technologies, techniques, options and limitations of different options, if you are to turn your big ideas into something tangible. 

In this section of learning, we introduce you to the printing technologies, graphic formats and different options available to the budding designer...

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Technologies Notes

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Desktop Publishing Software Techniques

Using Desktop Publishing (DTP) software can be challenging. It is much more than just throwing elements and assets at a page and there are many subtle techniques and technologies used to create an effective layout. Using DTP software should be used with a sound understanding of Design Elements and Design Principles. Pupils should also be familiar with different types of printer, colour theory and planning layouts and designs. 

This series of videos and resources are designed to help pupils get the basics of DTP software. 
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Introduction

Setting up a layout

Layers & master layer

Flow-text-along-a-path

Body text

Images & Cropping

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"Everything is designed. Few things are designed well"

Brian Reed
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Design Elements & Design Principles

Graphic design can be a challenging topic for pupils and teachers. There is a belief that everything is entirely subjective and open to vagueness of the arts. I don't agree with this. I argue that with a sound understanding of design elements and design principles anybody can create effective, appealing layouts.

​These tutorial videos are designed to help people understand design elements and design principles. 

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Introduction

Dominance

Alignment

Proportion

Depth

Unity/Proximity

Emphasis

Mass

Contrast & Harmony

Balance

Rhythm

Colour theory

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Practice questions, v2

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"Design is where science and art break even"

Robin Mathew
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Desktop Publishing

Using Desktop Publishing (DTP) software is at the heart of creating print layout designs. Using DTP software can be particularly challenging, especially the more industrial and professional software. The tools and techniques used to create most of these layouts can be found in even free software. I personally recommend Adobe InDesign or Affinity Publisher. 

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DTP terms

Layout analysis

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DTP Challenges

Here are six layouts to practice your DTP skills. Recreate the layouts shown below using the assets supplied.

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