Lesson 1: GOOD VS BAD GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lesson 1: GOOD VS BAD GRAPHIC DESIGN

from wikipedia.org

Graphic design is a creative process—most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form (i.e., printers, signmakers, etc.)—undertaken in order to convey a specific message (or messages) to a targeted audience. The term "graphic design" can also refer to a number of artistic and professional disciplines that focus on visual communication and presentation. The field as a whole is also often referred to as Visual Communication or Communication Design. Various methods are used to create and combine words, symbols, and images to create a visual representation of ideas and messages. A graphic designer may use a combination of typography, visual arts and page layout techniques to produce the final result. Graphic design often refers to both the process (designing) by which the communication is created and the products (designs) which are generated.


EXAMPLE WEBSITES:

BAD GRAPHIC DESIGN http://www.artistmike.com/Bad-Logos/BadLogos.html
GREAT GRAPHIC DESIGN 1 http://www.fromupnorth.com/graphic-design-inspiration-504/
GREAT GRAPHIC DESIGN 2 http://www.fromupnorth.com/best-of-2011-graphic-design/


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OBJECTIVE: Find 1 bad piece of graphic design, Find 1 great piece of graphic design to return to class next week for discussion.
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Checklist

TARGET AUDIENCE

*Does the imagery, colors and word appeal to the target market?
*Does the message make sense. Is it clear?
*Does it motivate you?




IMAGERY

*Is the image clear and crisp without pixelization and unintentional blurring
*Are the color of the photo tied to the rest of the piece
*If the picture original and fresh, not taken from another source




COLORS

*Colors are powerful. Powerful enough to have a phycohological and physiological effect on us.

Example:
Green usually is good for representing nature
Red = Stop sign, coca cola
Yellow = Walmart smiley face

*Do the colors destroy the message.
*Do the color match well
*Are the colors awkward




FONTS

*How many fonts are being used?
*If more than 3 fonts the piece can be considered bad.
*There should be 1 for the title, one for the body, 1 for special accents
*Are the fonts original, imaginative, purposeful.
*Do the fonts mix well with the message




LAYOUTS

*Are your eyes naturally drawn to the most important part
*Are you able to scan it, understand it without having to find a hidden meaning
*Key information is easy to find, easy to read., important items are bigger, unimportant items are smaller
*No needless or distracting elements
*It isnt completely disorganized