Thursday, October 28, 2010

Using Shapes in Graphic Design

By Eric Miller, About.com Guide
Shapes are at the root of graphic design. They are figures and forms that make up logos, illustrations and countless other elements in all types of designs.
Using Shapes
Using shapes properly is one of the keys to successful graphic design. The form, color, size and other characteristics for the shapes in a layout can determine its mood and message. Soft, curved and rounded shapes are perceived differently than sharp, angled shapes. The “white space” or negative space left between shapes will also significantly impact a design. Experimentation and altering of shapes within a design can ultimately lead to the desired result.
Shape Creation in Modern Graphic Design
Current graphics software has transformed the way graphic designers can deal with shapes. Adobe Illustrator is the most useful tool for shape creation and manipulation. Simple shapes such as circles, squares and triangles can be created with a click and drag of the mouse. Adjusting lines and curves using the tools in Illustrator and similar programs can create more complex shapes, of limitless dimensions. Colors, patterns, opacity and other characteristics of shapes can easily be altered. It is important for designers to master the shape tools within their favorite software, as almost any shape that can be imagined can now be created.

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