Formal Language, Visual Communication & Problem Solving

Formal Language 

In Graphic Design there must be a good foundation in two-dimensional design and colour. The formal elements used as building blocks of two-dimensional design are:

SHAPE

The general outline of something is a shape, also defined as closed form or a closed path.

Typically defined by line, but can be defined by other formal elements.

Very important when working in Adobe Illustrator.

VALUE

Describes the lightness or darkness of a visual element.

The difference in value between two or more elements is call visual contrast. Visual contrast helps with text being read. Visual contrast can be high or low.

COLOUR

Hue: The name of the colour.

Value: The lightness or darkness of a colour.

Saturation: Brightness or dullness of a colour.

LINE

A line is a mark made by a tool as it is drawn across surface.

The line type or attributes refers to the way it moves from beginning to end. (Straight, curving, or angular.)

Line direction describes a line's relationship to the page. (Horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.)

Line quality refers to how the line is drawn. (Broken, thick, or thin.)
Line 
Shape
Value
Colour
Texture
Space
Format

TEXTURE

The tactile quality of a surface or the representation of such a surface quality is a texture.

Examples:
Business Card
Brochure
Poster
Billboard
Information gathered from:

Positive Space: The area filled by the elements.
Negative Space: The empty area.

Visual Communication

Visual communication focuses on a large number of different methods to get a point across such as Photography, digital design, unique illustrations, presentations, and even animations. Visual communicators are more broadly trained, Graphic designers are not.

Graphic design is limited to the design and development of key graphics for insertion into digital and print media, websites, mobile apps, and more. Together, however, these two types of professionals make it easier to communicate a company’s key points and marketing efforts in a way that is bright, vivid, and graphically appealing, no matter the type of media or context to which design is being used. 

Problem Solving

Designers are creative problem solvers.

As a designer I believe that it’s important to understand that design and problem solving go hand in hand. Graphic design is about addressing a client’s unique problem with a very specific and effective solution. It’s an iterative process; the result of information gathering, research, strategy, conceptualisation, revision and implementation.

It’s about more than just making it looking good.

Design is not only about producing beautiful work as there is more to it than the visual aesthetics. Designers have a desire to provide a solution to a need, a problem. They’re also curious, observant, willing to listen and continually learn.

There needs to be a rationality behind each design.

Decisions as to design direction must be the result of due diligence on both the part of a designer and client. Recall that design is a process of which a considerable portion is information gathering and research. Therefore, an effective solution requires that significant time be spent attaining as complete an understanding as possible of the client’s aspirations for the project.

Crafting effective, project specific solutions.

Once equipped with the proper information a designer can begin the process of crafting effective, project specific solutions that embrace ideation and innovation.