Creating visual images to communicate ideas or messages
Graphic Design
Difference between elements (light/dark, big/small)
Contrast
How elements are arranged in a design
Composition
Even distribution of visual weight (not too heavy on one side)
Balance
A simple graphic symbol
Icon
A symbol or design that represents a brand
Logo
Fills an area with color
Fill Tool (Bucket)
The name of a color
Hue
Placing elements in a straight, organized line
Alignment
A tiny square that makes up a digital image
Pixel
How light or dark a color is
Value
Showing what is most important first
Hierarchy
The overall look and style of a brand
Brand Identity
A separate level of artwork stacked on others
Layer
The main focus or focal point in a design
Emphasis
How transparent or see-through a layer is
Layer Opacity
Moves, resizes, or rotates objects
Transform Tool
Prevents changes to a layer
Lock Layer
The arrangement of layers (what’s on top or bottom)
Layer Order
Combining multiple layers into one
Merge Layers
An image made of pixels that can get blurry when enlarged
Raster
Image quality for printing
DPI (Dots Per Inch)
An image made with lines/shapes that can resize without losing quality
Image quality for screens
PPI (Pixels Per Inch)
The quality of an image (how clear it is)
Resolution