Graphic Design Basics

Get a better understanding of the basics of graphic design by studying the elements and principles of graphic design that govern effective design and page layout. Graphic design is the process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication. Designers achieve their goals by utilizing the elements and principles of graphic design.

By following each of two learning paths on these concepts of graphic design basics and their application in modern desktop publishing, those with no formal graphic design training can improve their page layout and text compositions.

Although individual lessons within these two Graphic Design Basics classes can be taken out of order, I recommend following the lessons sequentially to get the full benefit.

1. Elements of Graphic Design Basics Classes The building blocks of design are defined and illustrated in these lessons and exercises - including lines, shapes, and texture. Explore each element individually and as a part of the whole.

2. Principles of Graphic Design Basics Classes Learn how to use alignment, contrast, white space, and other principles of graphic design to create effective page compositions through these graphic design lessons and exercises.

How to Do Desktop Publishing > Graphic Design Tutorials > Graphic Design Basics > Graphic Design Basics Course

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PPI Solutions, Bell and Howell form partnership

Jul 12, 2011 11:51 AM

PPI Solutions and Bell and Howell have formed a strategic partnership to provide programmed solutions and secure document/card production in the highly regulated healthcare arena. The clients immediately eligible to take advantage of these combined strengths and resources operate within the health insurance, employee benefits and prescription benefits marketing spaces.

This alliance brings together the dynamic, multichannel communications engine within PPI Solutions called CampaignRx, and Bell and Howell?s solutions for delivery of variable digital content, postal compliance and postage management, and card personalization, including smart cards.

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Crouser releases ‘Website Pricing Report’

Jul 12, 2011 11:47 AM

Crouser & Associates has released a report on pricing websites, providing not only survey data from website providers but also giving guidance on pricing this function. Demand for websites is still very strong and the margins can be very good, Crouser reports. Even though websites have been around for 16 years, many businesses are still without a website or have an outdated site with little functionality and/or an inadequate online presence.

?Website creation services are a good complement for commercial and quick printers who are currently providing very similar marketing/advertising services for the very people who need websites. Although websites can and should be interactive and provide functions besides advertising (customer service is common), the basic concept is the same. That concept is to create once (typeset/pre-press or website construction) and reproduce many (produce duplicates or bring eyeballs to webpages). Likewise, sending out a monthly newsletter for an organization is not much different than doing the same function via email broadcast. Even HTML code will be familiar to those who have previously used phototypesetting machines,? according to Crouser.

The report is part of the Price Advisory Service provided by Crouser & Associates to subscribers of the Crouser Guide at no additional cost. The report may be purchased separately for $75 at http://crouser.com/web.

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InfoTrends releases study on MGI digital innovations

Jul 12, 2011 11:50 AM

MGI Digital Graphic Technology, manufacturer of multi-substrate digital press and finishing solutions, announces the availability of an InfoTrends white paper that details the company?s newest product offerings and provides a comprehensive overview of MGI?s history of innovative digital printing and finishing solutions. ?Extending MGI?s Market Impact: Introducing the Meteor DP8700 XL? is authored by Jim Hamilton, group director of production printing and media consulting services, InfoTrends.

The white paper focuses on MGI?s newest digital press, the Meteor DP8700 XL, which launched in June. MGI?s Meteor series of digital presses offers the versatility to handle paper, plastic and envelopes, the longest sheet size among production cut-sheet digital presses (up to 13 x 40 inches in production, up to 13 x 47 inches via manual bypass), along with laser-safe prints, no click charge, and ?offset-comparable? output. The Meteor DP8700 XL offers 3,600-dpi / 270-lpi print resolution (including stochastic), increased print speeds up to 4,260 A4/letter sph, a new auto-adjusting offset feeder table (ensuring registration of ?0.2mm left-right, ?0.5 mm top-bottom, front-back), along with many other new features.

In addition to highlighting the Meteor DP8700 XL, the analysis looks at MGI?s production inkjet solutions: the JETvarnish digital inkjet spot UV coater; and the JETcard, which integrates 4-6 UV inkjet color printing (with full variable data), spot/flood UV coating, security (black light visible) coating, data encoding and verification (magnetic stripes) into just one unit, designed for high volume plastic card production. Also hinted at are future developments in MGI?s production inkjet technologies for the commercial printing market.

Rounding out the white paper are MGI?s finishing technologies, including the DF360 multifunction finishing unit and the PressCard Pro and PunchCard Pro, lamination and diecutting solutions for the plastic card manufacturing segment.

?The announcement of the Meteor DP8700 XL is significant not only because it extends the Meteor product line to new levels of productivity and format, but also because it puts the industry on notice that MGI is expanding its product line and distribution capabilities in a way that puts them into direct competition with much larger companies,? says Hamilton.

See http://www.infotrends.com/public/Content/FreeDownloads/pages/mgi.html.

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Color Meanings

Color symbolism is the use of color to represent traditional, cultural, or religious ideas, concepts, or feelings or to evoke physical reactions. Choosing colors based on symbolism or color meanings can apply to everything from clothing to wall paint to home furnishings. In desktop publishing and design choosing color based on color meanings applies to print and electronic projects from logos to Web site backgrounds.

Colors are more than a combination of red and blue or yellow and black. They are non-verbal communication. Colors have symbolism and color meanings that go beyond ink. If you want to skip the discussion of types of colors and jump right to a specific color, here are the colors I currently cover: Beige | Black | Blue (plus azure | beryl | cerulean | cobalt | corporate blue | indigo | navy | sapphire) | Brown | Gold | Gray | Green (plus chartreuse) | Ivory | Lavender | Orange | Pink (plus fuchsia) | Purple (plus lilac | plum | violet) | Red (plus blood red | crimson | scarlet | vermilion) | Silver | Turquoise | White | Yellow
More colors added regularly.

As you design brochures, logos, and Web sites, it is helpful to keep in mind how the eye and the mind perceive certain colors and the color meanings we associate with each color.

Physical and Cultural Color Reactions
Sometimes colors create a physical reaction (red has been shown to raise blood pressure) and at other times it is a cultural reaction (in the U.S. white is for weddings, in some Eastern cultures, white is the color for mourning and funerals). Colors follow trends as well. Avocado, a shade of green, is synomous with the 60s and 70s in the minds of some consumers.

Color Relationships
In addition to understanding color meanings, it helps with mixing and matching colors to know the relationship of adjacent, harmonizing, contrasting, and complementary colors. The subject is more fully explained in this Color Basics article. But below is a brief synopis: Adjacent or harmonizing colors appear next to each other on the color wheel. Harmonizing colors often work well together but if too close in value they can appear washed out or not have enough contrast. A harmonizing trio could be something like blue, light blue, and cyan or perhaps red, orange, and yellow. Contrasting colors are separated from each other by other colors -- they come from different segments of the color wheel. The further apart, the more the contrast. Red (from the warm half of the color wheel) contrasts with green and blue (from the cool half of the color wheel). Shades of purple contrast with shades of green. Contrasting colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel may be described as clashing colors -- see the description for complementary. Despite the name, colors that clash are not always a bad combination if used carefully. They provide great contrast and high visibility. Complementary colors are on opposite sides of the color wheel -- they are each half of a pair of contrasting colors. For example, blue is a complementary color to yellow. Green is complementary to purple and magenta. A pair of complementary colors printed side by side can sometimes cause visual vibration (clash) making them a less than desirable combination. However, separate them on the page with other colors and they can work together. Note the spelling. These are not complimentary colors. They don't always flatter (compliment) one another but they do complete (complement) each other.

On each of the cool, warm, mixed, and neutral pages are links to profiles of specific groups of colors with descriptions of their nature, cultural color meanings, how to use each color in design work, and which colors work best together.

On the next few pages we'll explore the color meanings of four different groups of colors. Cool Color Meanings (calming): Blue, Green, Turquoise, Silver Warm Color Meanings (exciting): Red, Pink, Yellow, Gold, Orange Mixed Cool/Warm Color Meanings: Purple, Lavender, Green, Turquoise Neutral Color Meanings (unifying): Brown, Beige, Ivory, Gray, Black, WhiteSee how many others share your color preference.
Red | Green | Gold | Turquoise | Blue | Purple | Pink | Black | Orange | Yellow
View Results for Your Favorite Color Poll Share this page with your Facebook and Twitter friends and followers.

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Purple Color Meanings

Purple is warm and cool. Explore the meaning and symbolism of the color purple and colors that go with purple and the light and dark shades of purple from palest orchid to deep dark violet and indigo.

Shades of Purple: These words are synonymous with purple or represent various shades of the color purple: amethyst, eggplant, indigo, lavender, lilac, magenta (see fuchsia), mauve, mulberry, orchid, plum, pomegranate, puce, royal, thistle, violet, wine.

Purple is royalty. A mysterious color, purple is associated with both nobility and spirituality. The opposites of hot red and cool blue combine to create this intriguing color.

Pantone selected the color Blue Iris (PANTONE 18-3943) as the 2008 Color of the Year telling us: "Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement."

Purple has a special, almost sacred place in nature: lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are often delicate and considered precious. Because purple is derived from the mixing of a strong warm and strong cool color it has both warm and cool properties. A purple room can boost a child's imagination or an artist's creativity. Too much purple, like blue, could result in moodiness.

The color of mourning for widows in Thailand, purple was the favorite color of Egypt's Cleopatra. It has been traditionally associated with royalty in many cultures. Purple robes were worn by royalty and people of authority or high rank. The Purple Heart is a U.S. Military decoration given to soldiers wounded in battle.

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ISO sustainability standard on track for 2012

Jul 12, 2011 11:46 AM

The Intl. Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 130, Working Group 11 ISO (ISO TC130 WG11) is currently working on the development of ISO 16759, Graphic technology ? Quantification and communication for calculating the carbon footprint of print media products.

ISO TC130 WG 11 was created to develop a set of international standards that address the environmental impact of printed products. ISO 16759, being written for prepress, printers, print service providers, content publishers and other media companies, is on track for publication in 2012.

NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies administers TC130 WG11 and coordinates the activities of the U.S.-based representatives. Actively involved in the development of this standard are experts from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States representing a broad range of the industry's leading printers, manufacturers, and other industry stakeholders. The development of this International Standard represents a significant cooperative effort to provide an international framework to create sector-specific carbon calculators.

According to Laurel Brunner, managing director of Digital Dots and convenor of TC130 WG11, "When it comes to sustainability, printers and their customers want a formal framework against which print media products can be measured and the results certified. Printers want to be able to confirm to their customers that the carbon footprint for the print they produce complies with an international standard. And print buyers want the assurance that a printer's calculations are transparent, clear and comparable across sectors and geographies."

Unlike other areas of the graphic arts, there are no international standards that provide specific information regarding carbon impact reduction. Without a standard, the printing industry has no means of capturing, reporting and tracking its carbon footprint. ISO 16759 will provide a framework for carbon calculators, enabling the creation of tools specific to a given industry sector. Tools that are created following the methodology outlined within this standard will allow the printing industry to track progress internationally in the reduction of the carbon footprint of media products.

Using ISO 16759-compliant carbon calculators, print buyers worldwide will be able to compare the footprints of different production processes. The basis on which the carbon footprint of a given print media product is calculated can be defined by each individual user. Using an inventory of the various production processes used to provide a given piece of print, the carbon impact for each stage in the workflow may be determined. Substrates, inks and other consumables used are included as well as transport, laminating and ambient environmental factors such as lighting or heat with a goal toward calculating a carbon footprint for each stage in the inventory.

Ms. Brunner states that once published, "It is hoped that ISO 16759 will encourage media buyers and consumers to think more carefully about how they invest in and use media. ISO 16759 provides the means of quantifying, communicating and reporting the carbon footprint of print media, so it is a means of facilitating the continuous monitoring of print's carbon footprint. This will lead to enhanced credibility of the printing industry's efforts to manage and reduce its carbon footprint and that of the raw materials used? this data will also provide factual support for messages of print's sustainability."

Currently, this document is being balloted to ISO national body members as a new work item and committee draft. Anyone with an interest in this work, and able to contribute technical expertise, is both invited and encouraged to actively participate. For more information contact Debbie Orf, NPES assistant director of standards, at dorf@npes.org.

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PIA issues call for award entries

Jul 12, 2011 11:48 AM

Printing Industries of America seeks to honor a business leader who has surpassed his or her obligations with the Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award and a woman who personifies the Naomi Berber school of thought and excels in her field of graphic communication with the Naomi Berber Memorial Award.

The Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a business leader who has gone far beyond standard obligations and has become a significant force in the graphic arts industry. To qualify, a nominee must be widely recognized as having made a major impact on the graphic arts industry; have a record of participating in both local and national professional activities; have been active in the industry over an extended period of time and involved in many facets of the graphic arts industry; and not be an employee of any graphic arts association. The nominee need not be a member of PIA; is not limited by age, sex, race, or geographic location; and may be either living or deceased. Nominations for the Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award are due August 31, 2011. See www.printing.org/lewisaward.

The Naomi Berber Memorial Award honors the distinguished 45-year career of Naomi Berber, GATF?s first administrative director (1925?1970). The award is given to a woman who personifies the Naomi Berber attitude of excelling in her field of graphic communication and also volunteers their time to improve the industry. Nominees for this award must fulfill these criteria: worked in the graphic communications industry for 10 years or more and have an outstanding record of accomplishments that demonstrates her unusual contribution toward the development of the graphic communications industry, such as extraordinary leadership, direction and/or support of programs or projects that have furthered the interests of the industry. These activities must have extended over a 10 year period, and her contribution should not be confined to a single project, development, or program. See www.printing.org/berberaward.

Both recipients will be selected by a panel of industry leaders and honored before hundreds of peers at PIA?s Fall Meetings, November 11?13 in Miami Beach, FL. For additional information on the Lewis Award or the Naomi Berber Award, contact Sara Welsh at swelsh@printing.org.

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