Post #3

What is OSHA? What do the letters stand for?

OSHA stands for "Occupational Safety Health Administration," and they are made to ensure the safety for all employees

How can graphic designers effectively communicate? In your own words, explain the communication process.

Graphic designers utilize all six elements of design to effectively convey their messages to other people. By using one or several elements, they can morph the meaning or undertones of their message, relaying a more specific message to their audience or peers.


Understanding the history, culture and movements of fine and graphic arts will make you a better producer of visual messages. Why?

By having a better understanding of the culture/background an artist is trying to portray, that artist will be able to convey his/her message far more effectively than basing his/her style in the design with common stereotypes, causing him/her to inaccurately portray the piece. 

Post #2

What does it take to create good graphic design?

It requires the understanding of the elements and principles of graphic design

What is the difference between elements and principles?

Elements are the components of the design, or what we actually create as designers, and principles guide us on how to organize these elements.

Name the six (6) elements of design.

Shape/Form, Color, Value, Space, Texture, Line

What can lines aid in, when alone or combined with  other lines or shapes?

Lines form the shape of an image, and can help convey specific meanings of a message. They can shape the "readability" or the appearance of the design.

Which lines suggest a feeling of rest? Why do you think?

Horizontal lines suggest a feeling of rest because of its resemblance to the ground. By being similar to the ground, it gives off the impression of something that is down, or inactive.

Vertical lines communicate a feeling of what? Why do you think?

They communicate a feeling of "loftiness" because of their resemblance to anything tall such as skyscrapers or redwood trees.

What lines suggest a feeling of movement? Why do you think?

Diagonal lines suggest a feeling of movement because diagonal lines resemble slides which utilize the force of gravity to move people down quickly to the ground.

Soft, shallow curved lines suggest what? Why do you think?

Soft curved lines suggest these feelings of rest because many objects left at rest make shallow curves, such as a pillow, or the curve of a body lying down.

These lines suggest confusion and turbulence? Why do you think?

Deep, acute curves suggest feelings of confusion and turbulence because they give off the impression of something spinning or turning at a fast speed, which would often make someone dizzy.

What element defines a specific area of space? What is the difference between two dimensional shapes and three dimensional shapes?

Shape or form defines a specific area of space. Two-dimensional shapes have values of width and height, while three-dimensional shapes incorporate the value of depth as well as width and height.

Describe the difference between geometric shapes and organic shapes?

Geometric shapes are structured, and often appear symmetrical, whereas organic/natural shapes are often irregular/fluid, and can be man-made, or found in nature.

What are abstract shapes?

Abstract shapes are more stylized versions of natural shapes

Which basic shape projects an attitude of honesty or equality?


Squares


What do triangles suggest?


Action or stability

Circles convey feelings of what?


Protection or infinity

Describe positive space and negative space? What is texture? Incorporating texture into a design can help do what? What is value?

Positive space is the space used by the designer to form an image--the shapes/lines/graphics of the design, whereas the negative space is where the designer shows where the image ends, or gives the audience as place for their eyes to rest. 

Texture is the actual surface of the design, where the audience can legitimately feel the texture of the paper or materials of the design. By incorporating texture, a feeling of "richness and depth" is added to the design.


Value is the degree of dark and light of a design, and gives the design a sense of contrast

What is another name for value? What can the element of color do when incorporated into a  design?

Value can also be referred to as "tone." Color, when used in graphic design, can create images, convey moods, or identify objects.