How do I start to learn Graphic Design? It is a very fundamental question for a beginner designer. Definition of Graphic Design: is one form of painting (image) on applied gives freedom to the designer (designer) to select, create, or arrange visual elements such as illustrations, photographs, writings, and the lines on a surface in order to be produced and communicated as a message. Pictures and signs which can be either typographical or other media such as pictures or Photography.Graphic Design generally applied in the world of advertising, packaging, film, and others. There are several characters express opinions about graphic design:
Suyanto Said that graphic design is defined as "the art and application of communication skills for business and industry needs." These applications may include advertising and sales of products, creating a visual identity for the institution, products and companies, and environmental graphics, information design, and visually enhance the message in the publication.
Jessica Helfand in http://www.aiga.com/ site defines graphic design as a complex combination of words and pictures, numbers and charts, photographs and illustrations that require special thoughts of an individual who can combine the elements This element, so that they can produce something special, very useful, surprising, or subversive or something easy to remember.
Michael Kroeger: visual communication (visual communication) is the practice theories and concepts through visual terms-including using color, shape, line and alignment (juxtaposition).
Blanchard defines graphic design as a communicative art relating to the industry, the arts and processes required to produce visual images on any surface
Graphic Design Category
Broadly speaking, graphic design is divided into several categories:
1. Printing (Printing), which includes design books, magazines, posters, booklets, leaflets, flyers,pamphlets, advertising, and other similar publications.
2. Web Design: design for web pages.
3. Films include CDs, DVDs, multimedia CDs for promotion.
4. Identify (Logos), OGD (Environmental Graphic Design): is a professional design which includes graphic design, architectural design, industrial design, and architect of the park.
5. Product Design, Packaging and something like that.
Processing programs GRAPHS / Graphics
because graphic design is divided into several categories, the means for processing also vary, depending on the needs and objectives of making work.
1. Processing Applications Layout (Layout)
This program is often used for making brochures, pamphlets, booklets, posters, and other similar. The program is able to regulate the placement of text and image taken from other programs (like Adobe Photoshop). Included in this group are:
- Adobe FrameMaker
- Adobe In Design
- Adobe PageMaker
- Corel Ventura
- Microsoft Publisher
- Quark Xpress
2. Vector / Outline Processing Applications
Programs that are included in this group can be used to create images in the form of vector / line so often referred to as the Illustrator program. All object that was produced is a combination of several lines, either straight lines or curves. Applications are included in this group are:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Beneba Canvas
- CorelDraw
- Macromedia Freehand
- Metacreations Expression
- Micrografx Designer
3. Pixel Processing Applications / Preview
Programs that are included in this group can be used to process image / photo manipulation (photo retouching). Pseudo object processing in the program-the program is considered as a combination of points / pixels that have density and a certain color, for example, photos. The images in the photo is made up of several collection of pixels that have the density and specific color. Even so, the program included in this group can also process the text and lines, but considered as a collection of pixels. Objects that are imported from processing program vector / line, after being processed by pixel processing program / point will automatically converted into the form of pixels / dots. Included in this application are:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Corel Photo Paint
- Macromedia Xres
- Metacreations Painter
- Metacreations Live Picture
- Micrografx Picture Publisher
- Microsoft Photo Editor
- QFX
- Wright Image
4. Film / Video Application Processing
Programs that are included in this group can be used to process film in various formats. Giving the title text (such as karaoke, text translation, etc.) can also be processed using this program. Generally, the granting of special effects (special effect) like the sound of explosions, bullets whir, waves, etc. can also be made using this application. Included in this category are:
- Adobe After Effects
- Power Director
- Show Biz DVD
- Ulead Video Studio
- Premier Elements
- Easy Media Creator
- Pinnacle Studio Plus
- WinDVD Creater
- Nero Ultra Edition
5. Multimedia Processing Applications
Programs that are included in this group are usually used to create a Multimedia works in the form of promotion, company profile, or the like and packaged in a CD or DVD. Multimedia can contain movie / movie, animation, text, images, and sounds so dirancan message
interktif and delivered more interesting. Included in this group are:
- Macromedia
- Macromedia Authorware
- Adobe Director
- Macromedia Flash
- Multimedia Builder
- Ezedia
- Hyper Studio
- Ovation Studio Pro
- Macromedia Director
