Overview

Graphic design will save the world, right after rock and roll, or so the saying goes. Creating effective layouts is an important aspect of Graphic Communication and can be one of the most challenging aspects of the course. What precisely makes an effective layout? Some people think this is entirely subjective, but actually there are some basic ground rules for creating good graphics. 

In this unit of work, pupils learn the rules and the techniques for creating effective layouts. 
Typography Task
Course Presentation

Vector graphics

Vector graphics are the heart of many creative layouts, from print graphics, to web and animation. Vector graphics have many advantages over photographs or other raster based images. Knowing how to create, edit and manipulate vector graphics is a useful skill. 

The following resources are designed to support learning about vector graphics.

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

Course Notes Booklet

Vector Logo Task

Typography Task

Finish this monster!

Cereal Brief Assets

Resource coming!

Resource coming!

Resource coming!

Install Inkscape

Sharing vector files

Sketching a monster

Basic vector tools

Basic colour theory

Typography

Design brief

Resource coming!

Typography Task
Course Presentation
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"Good design is all about making other designers feel like idiots because that idea wasn't theirs"

Frank Chimero
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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. 

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

DTP terms

Layout analysis

Course Notes Booklet

Resource coming!

Typography Task
Course Presentation

DTP Challenges

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

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

Typography Task
Course Presentation
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"Design is a solution to a problem.
Art is a question to a problem"

John Maeda (1966 - )
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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. 

A4 worksheet

A4 Drawings Pack

Course Presentation

Introduction

Dominance

Alignment

Proportion