Introduction to
Graphic Design & Design Principles
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Lesson 1
~Jamiu Maleek
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Class Outline
- Understanding graphic design:
What it is and its applications
- Overview of career paths in graphic design
- Essential design principles:
Balance, Emphasis, Contrast, Pattern, Repetition, Movement, WhiteSpace
- Introduction to design software
(Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, Canva, etc.)
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
What is Graphic Design?
Definition:
Graphic design is the art and practice of planning
and projecting ideas with visual and textual content.
It is used for communication, marketing, branding,
and entertainment.
Examples: Logos, social media graphics, posters,
websites, advertisements.
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Why is Graphic Design
Important?
• Communicates ideas visually
• Enhances brand identity and recognition
• Influences consumer behavior
• Simplifies complex information (infographics,
presentations)
• Drives engagement in digital and print media
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Common Fields of Graphic
Design
• Branding & Identity Design – Logos, brand guidelines,
business cards
• Advertising & Marketing Design – Posters, flyers,
banners, social media ads
• UI/UX Design – Website and app interface designs
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Common Fields of Graphic Design...
• Print & Editorial Design – Magazines, brochures, book
covers
• Motion Graphics & Animation – Video graphics, GIFs,
animated ads
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Introduction to Design
Principles
Graphic design is based on fundamental principles
that create visually appealing and effective designs.
These principles are a set of rules that designers follow
to create visually pleasing and well organized design
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Principles of Design
• Balance
• Contrast
• Emphasis
• Movement
• Proportion/Scale
• Repetition/Rhythm
• Unity/Harmony
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
What is a Good design?
Dieter Rams’s principles for good design:
• Good design is innovative
• Good design makes a product useful
• Good design is aesthetic
• Good design makes a product understandable
• Good design is unobtrusive
• Good design is honest
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
What is a Good design?...
• Good design is long-lasting
• Good design is thorough down to the last detail
• Good design is environmentally friendly
• Good design is as little design as possible
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Balance
• Visual balance is
about ensuring your
design is equally
weighted on both
sides of the central
point.
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Emphasis
• Emphasis is used to focus
the viewer’s attention on a
certain part of a
composition. The effect is
achieved by manipulating
elements (like color, shape,
and size) to make specific
parts of a design stand out.
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Contrast
• Contrast is produced when
two or more visual elements in
a composition are different. It
can be used to create specific
effects, emphasize the
significance of certain
elements, and add visual
appeal to your designs.
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Contrast...
Contrast Contrast Contrast Contrast
(shape) (scale) (colour) (layout)
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Contrast...
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Pattern & Repetition
• Repetition occurs when the same elements are
repeated throughout a design, a pattern is composed
of different components repeated in the same way.
Repetition Pattern
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Pattern & Repetition
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Movement
• refers to the path a
viewer’s eye takes when
they look over a
composition.
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Movement
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
White Space
• The region between different design elements is
referred to as "negative” or “white” space. This is
part of the design that doesn’t contain anything. No
images, drawings, shiny colors, or text. Nothing.
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
White Space
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles
Heirachy
• Visual hierarchy is about organizing the value of the
elements within your design. By ranking information
from most important to least important, you make it
easier for the viewer to digest your content.
No Heirachy Heirachy
Beginner’s Graphic Design Class – Introduction to Design and Design Principles