Graphic Design Terms

Do you want to understand graphic design terms a little better? You may have seen these words tossed around and wondered what they mean! Here are some vocabulary words for you to know (don’t worry- there will NOT be a test at the end!)

Whether you plan to hire a graphic designer to create visuals for your blog or you want to learn some basic design skills on your own, it will benefit you to gain an understanding of the terminologies used in graphic design. It is as if they have a language of their own! You need to familiarize yourself with these graphic design terms to help you communicate clearly with your designer or to grasp the simple basics of good design and bring your ideas to life.

Graphic Design Terms

Here is a list of words to get you started. you will certainly hear more being used, but we had to start somewhere! (If I gave you a list of 437 words and definitions, I would certainly put you to sleep!)

RGB

RGB is a model of using color in which red, green and blue are used exclusively in the creation of new colors. RGB is a system that is used in digital design, rather than in print.

Opacity

Opacity refers to the level of transparency in a design element. At 100% opacity, an object is solid. As the percentage gradually decreases it becomes more transparent. This is used a lot when an image gets tinted to match the branding of your logo, or just to make it look more interesting.

 

Logotype/Logomark

A logo is an important design element that is a visual representation of a company or, in this case, a blog. There are two main types of logos. A logotype is the company’s name designed in a way that is recognizable. A logomark is a mark or symbol that comes to represent the brand.

Texture

Texture refers to the characteristics of a design’s surface. Various types of textures are used to add dimension or to provide a particular feel to a design. An example may be retro textures that are incorporated into a project to give it the appearance of a vintage poster or a document produced by ink press.

This is frequently used as a background for a website.

Whitespace

This is also commonly referred to as negative space. This is the portion of a design that is purposefully left blank. Despite the name, this empty space can be any color. Ample white space is encouraged in good design.

Style Guide

A style guide is a document that contains the specifications that are to be consistently used when displaying your brand. It specifies the exact colors, typography, sizes and other such criteria so that the look of your brand is the same across various platforms.

Raster

A raster is a type of image that is comprised of pixels. Such graphics do not conform well to changes in size, as they will usually become distorted and lose their original integrity. The popular graphic design software Photoshop uses raster images. You should stay away from these type of images when putting images on your website.

Vector

The opposite of a raster image is a vector. Rather than being made of pixels, this type of graphic is formed with actual lines, points and curves to form shapes. They can be resized without losing their original form.

Typography

Typography is the way in which letters are presented, either digitally or in print. Commonly referred to as font, it provides a particular look to your text. Types of typography include serif, sans-serif, and script. Some fonts are easily used on the web and some are not.

Hierarchy

The hierarchy of a design is the way in which it is laid out. Such layout is purposeful in order to create a path for the eye to follow, to improve navigation or to designate importance of design elements.