CS 6102

Graphics and Graphics Design

Dr Sabin Tabirca
room 1.81
tabirca@cs.ucc.ie

Introduction to Computer Graphics

Chapter 1

Chapter Concepts
It Starts with Creativity
Learn the Fundamentals of Design
Find the Words Through Copywriting
Create Images with Illustrations
Take Pictures... Its Photography
Move from Design to Production

Introduction to Computer Graphics

Chapter 1

Computer Graphics
New Industry began 1984 and 1985
Apple Macintosh; first desktop
computer that was easy to use
and had enough graphics power
Apple LaserWriter; laser printer
with high speed and resolution
to print graphics-quality images
Aldus PageMaker;
electronic page layout software
Introduction to Computer Graphics

Chapter 1

Computer Graphics
Macintosh- the first successful
GUI computer
GUI- Graphical User Interface
First computer to use file and folder
icons, drop-down menus, and mouse to
perform actions with the computer

Introduction to Computer Graphics

Chapter 1

Computer Graphics

Introduction to Computer Graphics

Chapter 1

Birth of Desktop Publishing

Prior to computers, traditional workflow
included:

Hand-drawn presentations
Process cameras
Mechanicals
Platemaking

Introduction to Computer Graphics

Chapter 1

The Design Revolution

Development of new graphic software
Printers go digital
Computer systems more powerful
Workflow faster and more efficient

Introduction to Computer Graphics

Chapter 1

The Design Revolution

Introduction to Computer Graphics

Chapter 1

It Starts With Creativity

Good design is created with a basic
understanding of:
- Design processes
- Theories and concepts of design
Designer/client relationship governs the
entire design process

Introduction to Computer Graphics

Chapter 1

The Design Process

Define the problem
Research the project
Create thumbnails and roughs
Prepare comprehensives
Review and refine the design

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Defining the problem

What does the client want?
Print or digital media?
Budget?
Timeframe?
Target market?

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Researching the Project

Research to understand the client
and the project
Research sources:
- Internet
- Company sales people/showroom
- Visit competitors and compare
products and services

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Creating Thumbnails and

Roughs
Thumbnails
Small, fast sketches used to explore
solutions
Simple, with little detail, and rarely use color

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Creating Thumbnails and

Roughs
Roughs
Tighter, more visually refined
Manually or on the computer, with required or
potential formats, layouts, typography, and
color for each idea

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Preparing Comprehensives
An accurate reproduction of potential
solutions to the clients problem
Often created on the computer,
with type, photography, and illustrations
in position to show the client
what each idea looks like
Also known as comps

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Preparing Comprehensives

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Reviewing and Refining

Comps submitted to client
Client and Designer work together to
choose which idea will work best
Sometimes ideas are combined
Process continues until client is
satisfied

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Learn the Fundamentals

of Design
Design elements
Line, Shape, Value,
Color, Texture, Space

Design principles
Balance, Proximity,
Alignment, Unity,
Emphasis, Rhythm

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Design Elements
Line properties
Length, Width, Style, Color

Shapes
Fundamental shapes are
circle, square, and triangle
Geometric or expressive
Representational or abstract
Can appear dimensional/textured
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Design Elements
Value and Color
Value is the use
of various shades
of gray (grayscale)
Color used to
identify objects
or moods

Texture is a surface pattern that gives

the impression of a tactile surface
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Design Elements
Space is the area
or void into which
designers place
forms
Positive images
Negative space

Composition is the
placed forms into space

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Design Principles
Balance
Symmetrical balance - formal
Asymmetrical balance - informal

Proximity and Alignment

Grouping by content, shape, or color
Lining up elements to lead eye through
design (Alignment)
Grids formalized division of a page
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Design Principles
Unity
Similar elements in a design can be
similar shapes, colors, typography

Emphasis
Make parts of a design more important
than others
Focal point seen first in a design
Contrast making one element
different from the others
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Design Principles
Rhythm
Visual movement through repetition
Progressive rhythm moves through a
design in equal amounts
Alternating rhythm creates a visual flow
through a design to direct the viewer

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Find the Words Through

Copywriting
Copywriter
works to create
appropriate copy
(words) to accompany
a visual project

Skills Required
communicate a
message
persuade an audience
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Create Images with

Illustrations
When illustrations are needed for a
project, an illustrator will be brought in
Illustrations may be
Hand-drawn or
painted
Electronically
created art
specifically for
design and advertising projects.
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Take PicturesIts
Photography
Photography is another area of
employment for visual communicators
Photographic styles

Stark realism
Black and white
Special effects
Product shots

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Move from Design to

Production
With digital prepress and production,
designers need to make production and
creative decisions at the same time
Once a project is approved, it must be
prepared for output

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Move from Design to

Production
Production artist jobs:
Require an eye for design
Focus on the technical aspects of creating
electronic files that will output with
minimal problems and high degree of
accuracy
Adhere to the basic design principles

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Move from Design to

Production
Production artists:
Are proficient in vector-drawing and raster
graphics
Create page layouts
Know electronic publishing applications
Are highly accurate and detail-oriented

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Summary
Birth of Desktop Publishing
The Design Revolution
It Starts With Creativity
The Design Process
Defining the problem
Researching the Project

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Summary
Creating Thumbnails and Roughs
Preparing Comprehensives
Reviewing and Refining
Learn the Fundamentals
of Design
Design Elements
Design Principles
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Summary
Find the Words Through Copywriting
Create Images with Illustrations
Take PicturesIts Photography
Move from Design to Production

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33

11