Graphic design essentials for beginners and 5 tips to master the craft

Graphic design is the process of curating an image for enhanced visual appeal. It can convey a certain mood, tone or feeling and be used for advertising purposes or as a marketing method. 

Graphic design is all around us; it’s in product packaging, website design, magazine covers, poster design, billboards, or any type of visual material that attempts to grasp your attention and promote whatever it is conveying.  

But where do you start with graphic design, and how do you learn the trade?Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of basic graphic design principles that will help you get interested in it even if you can’t afford to hire a digital design agency like Fivecube.

1. Essential skills for graphic designers

As a graphic designer, you will need to have sound knowledge of the essential skills needed to start composing images that attract attention and captivate your audience. Learning these skills will go a long way in your graphic design career and give you the tools you need to create unique images. 

Colour theory 

All graphic designers should have a good basis of colour theory, as certain colours will complement one another and convey different moods, i.e.)

Red: Conveys feelings of passion, warning, anger and courage.

Yellow: Conveys feelings of happiness, hope, optimism and cheerfulness. 

Blue: Conveys feelings of inspiration, learning, calmness, intuitiveness, honesty and trust.

You should select an appropriate colour scheme depending on the message you want to communicate to your audience. In a world where we see multiple media messages daily, colour theory is one of the best tools a graphic designer has in their arsenal of initially capturing attention. 

Hierarchy of information 

When creating visual messages, it is important that you construct an image with a sense of hierarchy of the most important information. If everything is the same size and format, it will be difficult for audiences to differentiate what you’re trying to communicate and even more so, it will fail to grab their attention. 

You should use a range of titles, headings and alternate fonts to draw attention to the most important key messages in your visual image. 

Contrast 

Another important aspect of graphic design essentials is knowing how to create contrast in your image. Graphic designers will create contrast with dark vs light composition or contemporary vs traditional design. The contrast of a curated image will help to make your image much more attractive and assist your audience in digesting the information. 

Check out this article for how to create an infographic, which covers some of the similar principles of mastering graphic design and using contrast to capture attention.

Formatting

Formatting refers to how you space out the components of an image, the title, the images, text boxes, etc. This is quite important in learning the graphic design essentials, as it will become the basis of creating an attractive image. 

If your components are too clustered together, then it will only serve to confuse audiences as they have to put in work to decipher what you’re trying to communicate. Ensure your images have clear formatting, drawing attention to the areas that matter most. 

2. Essential fonts for graphic designers

Graphic designers should have a few essential fonts in their arsenal in order to create captivating images that speak to audiences. In branded identity, there are usually only 2-3 fonts used as it increases the audience’s ability to recognise the brand. 

Some popular fonts for graphic designers include: 

Mulish 

Mulish is a clean-cut modern font with a simplistic yet attractive, design.

Playfair Display 

This font is quite romantic and traditional. It looks great for brands seeking to establish a personal connection with their audience. 

Anton

This bold font demands the audience’s attention, it’s impactful and works great when communicating messages with a few words. 

If you are interested in finding out where you can get these essential fonts for graphic design, be sure to check out the video below. 

3. Essential books for graphic designers

If you’re interested in beginning a career in graphic design or simply want to develop your graphic design skills, there is a range of books available to help get you started. Check out three of our favourites below. 

1. Graphic Design School: A Foundation Course for Graphic Designers Working in Print, Moving Image and Digital Media 

This book is regarded as the industry standard for teaching the fundamentals of graphic design. It is useful for both students and small businesses who want to learn the trade. The book contains two main sections; principle and practice. It explores the themes of graphic design essentials such as composition, hierarchy, layout, typography, grid structure, colour, etc. 

2. Graphic Design Essentials: With Adobe Software

For those working on Adobe Software, this is a great book to learn the graphic design essentials. This book pushes you to put your knowledge into practice with its step-by-step instructions. It covers the fundamentals of graphic design, including editing, colour theory and design apps. 

At the end of this book, you will be well-versed in the graphic design essentials. 

3. Graphic Design Essentials: Skills, Software and Creative Solutions

This book has been written by the leading graphic designer, Joyce Macario. It is a great book for learning the essential skills you need to put your creative ideas into practice. It explores graphic design when using multiple different software programmes such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign. 

4. Graphic design essentials course 

Some of us learn differently, and that’s perfectly ok. If you think you are more of a visual learner, be sure to check out this free graphic design essentials course by the industry-leading graphic designer, Gareth David Studio. 

Beginners Guide to Graphic Design | 45 Episode FREE Series

5. Essential graphic design software

Graphic design can be conducted on various different software programmes, but if you are a beginner to the craft, then it’s best to focus on mastering one, before you overwhelm yourself with others. 

Some of the most popular graphic design software includes: 

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• After Effects
• PhotoADKing

If you seeking to master the graphic design essentials, it is best to learn so by doing, put your knowledge into practice because you don’t know what you’re capable of until you try. 

Advanced Graphic Design Techniques:

• Quantify the impact: Instead of just stating the importance of UX/UI principles, back it up with statistics. For example, mention that 88% of users abandon websites with poor design (source: NN Group).
• Showcase real-world examples: Use case studies or client examples to illustrate how motion graphics, 3D design, etc., have been used effectively in different industries.
• Go beyond trends: While mentioning trends is good, delve deeper into their potential impact on the future of graphic design. Discuss how AI might revolutionize design workflows, or how AR could change the way we interact with information.
• Technical insights: Provide specific technical tips and resources for each advanced technique. This could include software recommendations, tutorials, or industry best practices.

Latest Trends and Future Predictions:

• Integrate data: Include relevant data and statistics to support your predictions about the future of graphic design. For example, mention the projected growth of the AR/VR market or the increasing adoption of AI in design tools.
• Expert opinions: Quote industry experts or thought leaders to add credibility and weight to your predictions.
• Visual storytelling: Use infographics, charts, or other visual elements to make your predictions more engaging and memorable.

Psychology of Design:

• Deeper dive into color theory: Discuss the cultural and historical context of different colors, and how they can be used to evoke specific emotions in different audiences.
• Shape psychology: Provide more specific examples of how different shapes can be used to convey different messages. For example, triangles can represent power or stability, while circles can symbolize harmony or unity.
• Data-driven insights: Support your claims about the psychology of design with research studies and data analysis.

Accessibility in Design:

• Provide concrete guidelines: Offer specific tips and best practices for designing for accessibility, such as using appropriate color contrast ratios or providing alternative text for images.
• Showcase inclusive design examples: Highlight real-world examples of how graphic design can be made accessible to people with disabilities.
• Resources and tools: Include a list of resources and tools that designers can use to create accessible designs.

SEO and Digital Marketing Integration:

• Quantify the impact of visuals: Share statistics that demonstrate the positive impact of good graphic design on SEO and digital marketing metrics, such as click-through rates or conversion rates.
• SEO best practices: Provide specific SEO best practices for graphic designers, such as optimizing image file sizes and alt text.
• Case studies and examples: Showcase examples of how graphic design has been used to improve SEO and digital marketing results.

Overall:

• Stronger visuals: Enhance the guide with high-quality visuals such as infographics, charts, and screenshots.
• Global perspective: Consider including examples and statistics from different parts of the world to make the guide more relevant to a wider audience.
• Call to action: Encourage readers to learn more about advanced graphic design techniques and resources.

Mastering the Craft: A Comprehensive Guide to Advanced Graphic Design

This guide delves into the intricate world of advanced graphic design, empowering you to transcend the fundamentals and push the boundaries of your creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned designer seeking to refine your skills or an eager beginner yearning to explore new horizons, this roadmap equips you with the knowledge and tools to elevate your designs to new heights.

Charting the Course:

• UX/UI Principles: Become a master of user experience and interface design, crafting intuitive and visually appealing digital products that captivate and engage users.
• Motion Graphics: Breathe life into your designs with the dynamic power of motion graphics, weaving engaging visual narratives that leave a lasting impression.
• 3D Design: Dive into the immersive realm of 3D design, creating realistic and captivating visuals that push the boundaries of perception.

Glimpsing the Future:

• AI in Graphic Design: Uncover the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence, as it automates repetitive tasks, generates innovative design options, and redefines the creative landscape.
• Minimalism’s Enduring Appeal: Embrace the ever-popular trend of minimalism, crafting clean and uncluttered designs that prioritize clarity and user experience.
• Augmented Reality’s Impact: Explore the burgeoning world of Augmented Reality, blending digital elements with the real world to create interactive and immersive experiences.

The Psychology of Influence:

• Harnessing the Power of Color: Delve into the fascinating world of color theory, understanding how different hues evoke distinct emotions and reactions, allowing you to tailor your designs for maximum impact.
• The Language of Shapes: Discover the hidden meaning behind shapes, leveraging their inherent symbolism to convey specific messages and resonate with your audience on a deeper level.
• Mastering Layout Composition: Guide the viewer’s eye with intentionality, ensuring your message is communicated effectively through strategic layout choices.

Designing for Everyone:

• Championing Accessibility: Embrace the principles of inclusive design, crafting experiences that are usable by everyone, regardless of ability, ensuring your designs reach their full potential.

SEO & Digital Marketing Synergy:

• Visuals that Convert: Leverage the power of visually compelling design to enhance SEO and digital marketing efforts, boosting user engagement, reducing bounce rates, and propelling your website to the top of search results.

By embracing these advanced techniques, trends, and design principles, you’ll not only refine your technical skills but also cultivate a deeper understanding of how design can influence, engage, and resonate with your audience. Remember, the journey to graphic design mastery is a continuous exploration, fuelled by curiosity, experimentation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. So, embark on this adventure with confidence, and allow your creativity to flourish!

SEE ALSO: Animated Video Production | Essential Skills for Web Design.