Guide To The Most Popular Graphic Design Terms

graphic design terms
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Have you ever met a designer, and while talking, they came up with some new words that were unfamiliar to you?

It happens when you don’t have a good grasp of a certain field. Graphic design is a vast and always-evolving field that plays with innovations and creativity. However, the terms used by these professionals are generally not understandable to their clients.

So, if you are someone who is going to contact a designer soon, then we are here to guide you. In this article, we will explore some new and popular terminologies of this field. So keep reading.

Upgrade Your Knowledge: Popular Graphic Design Terms That You Must Know

Whether your goal is to become a graphic designer or to deal with one, knowing the words used in this field will help you gain a better understanding. 

This is why, if you know the terms, then it will become easier for you to discuss, offer feedback, and critique to these professionals. So, next time, when you plan to contact any web design company Ireland, make sure that you are aware of all the terminologies that we are listing below. As a result, you can communicate and grasp the message in a better way.

RGB

In graphic design, RGB stands for the primary colors of light, which are red, green, and blue.

The remaining shades are made as a combination of these three pigments. RGB is known as a color model that is used for digital or on-screen designs as the screen releases the light. Additionally, when all these three shades mix together, they compose a pure white color. You can also attain a vast range of pigments with the various combinations of these hues.

CMYK

This is another color model of graphic design; it stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

These shades are used for print designs. It is also known as the subtractive model because the printed ink dims the light that would reflect in the case of digital screens. Additionally, in the print process, colors are mixed during the procedure; this is why they offer a wider range of pigments. Designers with a clear knowledge of the CMYK model know how to use them so the print appears as expected.

PMS

The Pantone matching system is a standardized system that reproduces colors.

This method makes sure that shades match without even direct contact with each other. This method is beneficial for brand consistency over various print materials. Additionally, each Pantone color is marked with a specific number; this assists the designers and makers in selecting the pigment they actually want for their product.

Pixel

The smallest unit of any digital image and display is known as pixels.

They are like tiny squares that release a specific amount of color and light. In the field of graphic design, this element is essential for crafting digital components. So, the quality of pixels directly influences the quality of any design product.

High-resolution graphics consist of more pixels, so they offer a sharper and clearer impact when we zoom in on any image or video. But high-quality graphics also cover more storage than the regular ones. Thus, if you ever observe any logo design company, then you will notice that they know how to balance between the quality and size of an image.

Vector

The vector graphics are made up of points, curves, and lines with the help of mathematical equations.

Thus, you can scale them without worrying about losing the quality or resolution. This is why designers consider them ideal for icons, logos, or other visual products that are required to be viewed in a number of sizes.

Raster

This type of graphic is made up of a matrix of individual pixels. They are also popular as bitmap graphics. Every pixel in the frame contains particular information about the colors for the image formation. Thus, they are a good choice for complex graphics like photographs, etc. The one drawback to using them is that they are not scalable.

DPI

Dots Per Inch is a measure of dot density of spatial video and printing. It is essential for both print and digital designs. The fact is DPI impacts the quality of the final product.

Thus, more DPI can result in higher resolution and details in the graphics. But higher DPI also enhances the size of the file. This is why a designer should keep a balance between the quality and size of the image.

Gradient

A gradient is known as a blend between two or more colors, or it can be between the shades of the same colors as well.

It can be radical, linear, or in a free pattern as well. Thus, they can be used for incorporating volume, depth, or visual elements in a flat design. They are also used to provide your graphics with a natural, modern, or organic look.

Bleed

In print design, bleed refers to any element that extends outside the boundaries of a print. This is why this part needs to be trimmed after printing. It ensures that no unprinted edge remains on the final product.

Contrast

Contrast is defined as the difference between the elements of the design. The elements can be shape, size, colors, or even type. This effect helps in highlighting the components of a design.

All in all, these are some of the common terms that are used in graphic design. There are a few others as well, like typography, mood boards, negative spaces, resolutions, and many more. However, we have tried to cover a few of them as it’s a wide field for your knowledge.

What are the eight principles of graphic design?

The seven principles of design are balance, contrast, proportion, emphasis, repetition, white space, alignment, and movement.

What are the eight elements that a graphic designer uses?

The seven main elements that are used in graphic design are shapes, texture, typography, form, space, imagery, and color.

What is typography in simple words?

Typography is a technique of making the written language readable, appealing, and legible when displayed on screen or paper.

What skill is graphic design?

The skills that a designer requires are the use of various software like Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or Illustrator. But sometimes, they need to draw and design through their hands to craft a rough sketch.

Conclusion

Mastering the field of graphics design is one of the difficult tasks as it is always evolving, and it possesses a lot of terminologies.

And in the case of clients, most of the time, they don’t understand the message of a designer. This is why it is necessary to have knowledge of some common terminologies in this field. For your guidance, we have covered all the popular ones above.

So, keep these terms at your fingertips if you are planning to enter the field of graphic design. We bet you will understand everything in a clear way.