Tools & software the pros use

Lesson #10: The Tools & Software the pros use !

If your reading this right now than you want to be a professional graphic designer, right? Of course you do lol. I mean I've never heard of someone wanting to be a nobody in their field. No people always have that drive to become something great . They want people to shout their names. They want to be the one that everyone turns to . Well if you use these tools of the trade , in graphic design, then you'll be on the fast track to becoming a professional graphic designer!

 

 

1) A computer or Laptop

 

 

It doesn't matter if it's a Mac or PC as long as it runs the software programs you need. Sure we could get all bogged down talking about Cpus, Ram , processor speed ect. Frankly , my dear, it's up to you to choose a computer that works for you. Think of choosing a computer like buying a car or something.  But if you really want to know the specs to the perfect graphic design computer than watch the video below.

 

 

 

2) Graphic Design software programs

 

 

There's a lot of programs out there, some are free some cost an arm , leg, and part of your bank account. Depending if you want to focus in print or online media it's important to decipher which programs you need to use. For print media , which I want to focus in, you'll mostly be using programs like Photoshop, illustrator, and/or InDesign. For web designers you guys will mostly use programs like Muse, Dreamweaver, Edge Code , Edge Inspect and many more. Dang I feel Adobe favors web designers more than print designers . Do some research to find some free alternatives to these programs. You'll be surprised at what you find !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Read a book!

 

There are hundreds of books out there that will teach you everything you need to know about graphic design , the past, the present, and the future. You can find them at your local bookstore or online like with Amazon.com

 

 

 

 4) Do a sketch

 

 Don't freak out! You don't have to draw like a professional ...but it's always good  to carry around a sketchbook for those times you become Einstein. It's quicker and much more organic than waiting to create something on the computer.

 

 

 

 

5) Make connections

 

You know that saying about knowing the right people in order to succeed. Well I don't believe it's a 100% true but it 100% helps you to become better in your field. Network with other designers , show them your work and ask for a critique. professionals that have been in the field for 20 years or more know what they're talking about ! So they'll be able to give you lots of tricks and tips on how to improve your work and succeed in the field of Graphic Design.

 

 

 

Credits:

 

Reference article: http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/graphicdesignbasics/tp/essential_tools.htm

Adobe Products: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/catalog/desktop.html?promoid=KOVFF

Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wMZGcWAMxc

Graphic design books: http://www.creativebloq.com/design/graphic-design-books-2014-31411037

Sketchbooks: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?sort=SA&size=30&category_id=1022651&store=gift

Network & Showcase: https://www.behance.net/

 

 

 

 That's it for this week's lesson  Remember to always leave questions , if you have any, and share this post with friends or other newbie graphic designers. Don't forget to subscribe by E-mail or follow this blog so you wont miss a single lesson! If you want to follow me outside of this blog then please add me on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and/or Tumblr. If you guys have any design work that you would like me to critique or showcase on this blog than please E-mail me at SabrinaSummers2000@Gmail.com. Furthermore if you have any ideas or suggestions as to future blog posts than please comment below.  

From Sabrina Summers with Peace and Love 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Meet the Children of the Primary Colors

Lesson # 9 : Secondary colors

These are the children of the primary colors red, blue, and yellow. You get these three colors from mixing any two of the primary colors. 

      You get purple from mixing Red and blue together. Purple is loving , mysterious, and seductive.

 You get green from mixing yellow and blue together. Green is filled with energy and represents nature.

Last but not least you get orange by mixing red and yellow together. Boy , orange is an energy powerhouse  that screams for your attention. No I'm not talking about the fruit .

Video:

 Get Jamaican man with this silly song about secondary colors

That's it for this week's lesson  Remember to always leave questions , if you have any, and share this post with friends or other newbie graphic designers. Don't forget to subscribe by E-mail or follow this blog so you wont miss a single lesson! If you want to follow me outside of this blog then please add me on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and/or Tumblr. If you guys have any design work that you would like me to critique or showcase on this blog than please E-mail me at SabrinaSummers2000@yahoo.com. Furthermore if you have any ideas or suggestions as to future blog posts than please comment below.  

From Sabrina Summers with Peace and Love 

The 3 musketeers of color

Lesson: 8 Primary colors

Yo this is so elementary , everyone should know their primary colors but nevertheless its always good to review. These are the 3 purest colors in the world meaning all other colors are created by a combination of the primary colors.So give it up for the 3 musketeers of color !

Red

Red is sexy yet dangerous . 

Yellow

Yellow is all sunshine and happiness

Blue

Blue is my favorite color. It has a calming yet exciting effect.

Video:

I know it's sesame street...but the song and video are fun to watch. It also goes into next weeks post about secondary colors.

Tip: If you want your design to convey a powerful message..it's always good to use primary colors the strongest effect.

That's it for this week's lesson  Remember to always leave questions , if you have any, and share this post with friends or other newbie graphic designers. Don't forget to subscribe by E-mail or follow this blog so you wont miss a single lesson! If you want to follow me outside of this blog then please add me on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and/or Tumblr. If you guys have any design work that you would like me to critique or showcase on this blog than please E-mail me at SabrinaSummers2000@yahoo.com. Furthermore if you have any ideas or suggestions as to future blog posts than please comment below.  

From Sabrina Summers with Peace and Love 

6 Key principles of design

Lesson # 5

#1-Balance:

 Balance helps a design to look stable and in place

#2-Proximity:

This helps to create a relationship between two or more objects in a design.Proximity also helps to determine the distance between objects.

#3-alignment:

Designers use alignment in order to make the text and pictures look nice, neat, and all lined up

#4-Repetition:

Sometimes designers use repetition with text, images , or graphics to help tie the design together or they just want to repeat something over and over for the fun of it.

#5-Contrast: 

  When you put a dark color next to a light color your creating contrast. When you put big bulky font next to a slimmer text your creating contrast.

#6-Space:

 Using space is wonderful in graphic design , why? because it helps the viewer to take in the message without getting overwhelmed. In graphic design the golden rule of "Less is more" holds true!

Video of the week:

Hw: Find one example of each principle in a magazine ad or on a product in a store. Take a picture of that example and E-mail the images to SabrinaSummers2000@Gmail.com. Your images must be E-mailed by June,13th,2014.

Credits:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aflvaOH40-Y
Images: all from google
That's it for this week's lesson  Remember to always leave questions , if you have any, and share this post with friends or other newbie graphic designers. Don't forget to subscribe by E-mail or follow this blog so you wont miss a single lesson! If you want to follow me outside of this blog then please add me on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and/or Tumblr.

The 7 key elements in graphic design

Lesson # 4: Elements of Graphic design

#1-Line:

Lines can go in any direction , horizontal, vertical , diagonal , or curved, and they are the building blocks used in order to create shapes.

#2-Shape:  

Shapes are created with a series of lines connecting with one another. However other shapes , like the circle and oval, can be created from one never ending line. 

#3-Direction: 

Depending on the direction the line is going might represent a certain mood. For example vertical lines can represent balance. Horizontal lines could represent stability and diagonal lines could mean a rise/fall of something.

#4-Size:

This helps determine how big or small an object is or should be.

#5-Texture:

The look and feel of an object

#6-Color:

 

The number of ways our eyes can see a spectrum of light

#7-Value:

How light or dark an image or object is 

Hey check out this cool lil video to the see the elements of design used in the real world!

Design Elements-By Mixmismo

Tip: The elements of graphic design deal with the physical form or foundation of your design.

Hw: Give me one example of each element of design. You may take photos yourself, find images on google, or draw examples yourself. E-mail your photos/images to SabrinaSummers2000@Gmail.com by 6/6/14

That's it for this week's lesson  Remember to always leave questions , if you have any, and share this post with friends or other newbie graphic designers. Don't forget to subscribe by E-mail or follow this blog so you wont miss a single lesson! If you want to follow me outside of this blog then please add me on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and/or Tumblr.

Credits: All images found on google.
             Youtube video by Mixmismo
             

Caveman were the first graphic designers?!

Lesson #3

Yep that's right graphic design all started with the caveman. Sure it might sound weird but think about it for a sec. Back in ancient times caveman didn't know how to talk so how did they communicate? Simple, the only way they knew how by using pictures and symbols to get their message across. Fast forward to Egyptian times. They knew how to talk by now yet they were still using symbols to communicate..why? Well humans are visual creatures and also love to express themselves what better way to do that by using images. Now join me as I take you on a journey to discover the history of graphic design!

Lets start in 1436 where we meet a man named Johannes Gutenber , a German metal worker, who is the creator of the printing press, soon called Gutenber's press. After Gutenber printed out his first bible. Gutenber's press shot up to fame and soon printing presses were being setup all across Europe.

Then in the first 2 decades of the 19th century typography started to take off. One of the most important men in typography history was an american typeface designer named Morris Fuller Benton. He created 221 typefaces like hobo, Broadway, and bank Gothic just to name a few.

Another big player in the 19th century was a British publisher named William Morris. He helped to catapult graphic design by commercializing it and also publishing books with stylized illustrations and printings.

In 1950, after WW2, western countries had a renewed hunger for buying new products from companies. This in turn put logos and branding in high demand. Now we head to the late 1980s when computers became main stream. These machines made a graphic designer's job much more easier than before. Typography fonts were already pre-installed  and now designs could become digital! Shortly after, mass media started to spread across the globe connecting foreign countries together like never before. Graphic designers became high demand in print , advertising, and packaging fields. People from entertainment, print shops, and corporations  rushed to hire graphic designers to create movie posters, magazines, books, Ads, and more for their companies. 

Technology and mass media keeps evolving at alarming rates with the creation of smartphones, tablets, laptops ect and the world of graphic design will be right by its side helping businesses to brand and advertise their products in society for many more century's to come! Well i hope you enjoyed that quick journey back in time learning all about the history of graphic design. Here's a fun short video with a lil bit more info about the history of graphic design:

Timeline - History of graphic design - ANM 102 - by Rob Salazar

Fun Fact: The term "Graphic design" wasn't coined until the beginning of the 20th century where mediums like photography , printing, typing, and video-graphing started to take off. It was a man named William Addison who was the first person to coin the term "Graphic design". He used the term as a way to describe people who worked in print or book design.

Hw: Tell me 5 facts you learned about graphic design history. E-mail your answers to SabrinaSummers2000@Gmail.com and put the subject line as "5 history facts, Your name" The Hw is due next Friday May 30th. For people who hand in Hw assignments gets to a chance to get any graphic design work featured on this blog. I will even give you feedback on your work if you want me too.

That's it for this week's lesson comment below telling me what you look forward to doing in the graphic design field. Remember to always leave questions , if you have any, and share this post with friends or other newbie graphic designers. Don't forget to subscribe by E-mail or follow this blog so you wont miss a single lesson! If you want to follow me outside of this blog then please add me on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and/or Tumblr. 

Credits: reference article used-http://www.webdesignviews.com/2013/04/a-brief-history-of-graphic-design/

              Youtube video used-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-DNVrmER6E

            

              Pictures all found on Google

            

              Glow text from-http://glowtxt.com/

Graphic design's meaning for noobs

Lesson 1 :

      Look around you , what do you see? Well i know that your're probably surrounded by graphic design as i write this. In fact you see graphic design maybe over 1,000 times a day 24/7 , excluding the time your sleeping but i digress. So if your're planning on becoming a graphic designer or just want to learn about the craft. Then you first MUST know the definition!

Definition-(from AIGA.com)
Graphic design is the creative process that combines art with technology to help communicate ideas.  

There you have it , you now know the meaning of graphic design and your're one step closer to becoming a proper graphic designer. I bet you thought it would be a long winded definition huh?  Well anyway , now that you know what graphic design is actually about . Let me tell you the most popular uses of graphic design. Graphic design is used for creating

 logos 

Flyers

Posters

Brochures

Ads

Everyday Products

Magazine/books/newspaper

 the list goes on and on...and on. Graphic design is used for mostly everything we use in our everyday lives.

Tip: Graphic design is used to get people aware or to buy a product, service, event., or an idea. Graphic design's catch phrase is " Hey, look, check this out!"

Now at the end of each lesson I'll give you guys  a homework assignment. Don't worry it's optional if you don't want to participate that's fine. However I think it'll make this blog more fun interesting to read.. I'll give you 1 week to do each assignment, i'll try to keep them small projects, and at the end of that week. I will write a HW post where i critique some of the handed in projects. Now i wont give you a letter grade , unless you really want me too nor will i give any penalty for projects not turned in. Like i said before the HW is totally optional and there for anyone who wants to participate.  

HW #1: Find 1 example of graphic design being used either in real life or online.

How to hand in: E-mail your images to SabrinaSummers2000@Gmail.com. For the subject line put "Your name then the HW number". For example: "Sabrina Summers Hw #1" .

Now if you have any questions , big or small, please, please, please don't hesitate to comment below. I love answering questions and I'll try to answer your question to the best of my ability. Furthermore in order to keep up with the lessons please don't forget to subscribe by email. Also if you have any friends who would enjoy reading this blog then please share this post with all your friends on social media sites. Lastly if you want to keep up-to-date with what I'm doing then i encourage you to follow me on my social media sites. Starting with Google+ from there is a list of links to all my other social media sites. Well till next time....