1. Computer Graphics Introductory Notes

2. Computer Graphics defined… The creation, editing, or publishing of images by means of a computer. Can create anything from simple shapes to complex fractals and rendered computer animation.

3. Introduction to design… The basic purpose of good design is to produce an image that will communicate the desired message to the intended audience.

4. Well designed material should: Attract the reader’s attention. Be easy to read and understand. Have a lasting effect on the reader.

5. Basic Design Tips

6. SPACE/AREA Use the entire medium space to design your project. Using space wisely is the key to making an average design into an excellent design.

7. ELABORATE Take your initial idea and add to it at least 3-4 times. Perfecting it 3-4 times your will put your work over the top!

8. EXCESSIVE Use of too many graphics, colors, words, etc. may turn out to be an “eye-sore” to your viewers. Avoid using too many frames, boxes and borders. Frames and boxes should only be used to group, set apart, or emphasize particular objects in your design. Sometimes too much is worse than not enough.

9. COLOR Consider the color combinations of your design. Contrasting or complimentary colors like, Black/White, Purple/Yellow, Blue/Orange, Red/Green are good choices. Contrasting colors electrify your design.

10. COLOR (continued) Analogous colors like blue, green, blue-green or triadic colors like red, blue, and yellow can also enhance your design. RGB color scheme should be used for web projects and CMYK should be used for all printed work. Text color should contrast with the color that is below it.

11. TEXT Limit the use of fonts to 2-3, too many fonts can cause confusion and frustration to the viewer. Font size is also important, too big or too small can hurt your design.

12. TEXT (continued) ALL CAPS on one line can also push forth the feeling of anger, anger may turn-off your viewer. Be careful not to use “cute” punctuation marks and im speak like :) :0 ;} lol

13. AUDIENCE Are the people viewing your work, your target Always consider the people that will be viewing your work. If you are designing a project for children use graphics that children can relate to.

14. LISTEN Be sure you are addressing and conveying the proper objective and theme when designing your project. Listening to the needs of the viewer/client will allow you to design a project that everyone will be happy with. You can still be creative but your creativity will be channeled to meet a specific need of your client.

15. FORMAT Consider the outcome of your work and choose the proper file format. Web projects should use: GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)-Low Color Range, flat color images JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)- Photographs made up of pixels but reduced quality and size to fit on a website

16. FORMAT(continued) Printed work should use: TIFF (Tagged-Image File Format) Full quality Bitmap Images in a handy universal format. Bitmap or rasterized images are made of pixels (digital pictures) EPS (Encapsulated PostScript®)-- Vector Graphics for digital artwork in a universal format. Vector graphics are those that incorporate the use of PATHS and are scalable.