Design Toolkit Meschler -- 3.2.2024

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Project: Design Toolkit Becka Meschler Lisa Birman GRA 200: Digital Design Tools 3/2/2024
Design Software Overview .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Software Overview .................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 File Format Overview .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Comparing Tools and Features .................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Adobe Photoshop ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Adobe Illustrator ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Adobe InDesign ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Compare the Tools and Software Applications ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Analyzing and Improving Designs ............................................................................................................................................................ 12 Effective Graphic Design Elements ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 Ineffective Graphic Design Elements ..................................................................................................................................................... 13 Making Improvements ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Visual Presentation of the Design Software Overview .......................................................................................................................... 15 Works Cited ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Design Software Overview Software Overview Complete an overview of the three primary software applications (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) used in the graphic design industry, using the table below: Software Application Purpose (i.e., photo manipulation or multi- page documents) Examples of How They Are Used (i.e., newsletter, flyer, etc.) Three Advantages to Using This Software (i.e., preset options) Three Drawbacks in Using This Software (i.e., poor type rendering) Adobe Illustrator Creating vector images like logos or monograms Website mockup, flyers, business cards -vector image creation -better control of text -small files -unable to create multiple pages -unable to edit photos in a layout -requires a lot of attention and learning
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Software Application Purpose (i.e., photo manipulation or multi- page documents) Examples of How They Are Used (i.e., newsletter, flyer, etc.) Three Advantages to Using This Software (i.e., preset options) Three Drawbacks in Using This Software (i.e., poor type rendering) Adobe Photoshop Editing photos, manipulating photos, restoring old images, animation Professional photo editing, website design -lighting adjustments on photos -retouching photos -can have multiple images layered in the work space and edit only one layer -unable to use multiple pages -not compatible with vector images -quality of image changes when resizing and can become blurry or pixelated
Software Application Purpose (i.e., photo manipulation or multi- page documents) Examples of How They Are Used (i.e., newsletter, flyer, etc.) Three Advantages to Using This Software (i.e., preset options) Three Drawbacks in Using This Software (i.e., poor type rendering) Adobe InDesign Creating multipage documents Creating a newsletter, books, newspaper -multiple page layout -both raster and vector images can be imported -a lot of typography tools -not able to edit photos -slow rendering -learning curve File Format Overview Describe the 10 most commonly used file formats in graphic design pieces using the table below.
File Format Examples of When This File Format is Used (i.e., image to be used in a PowerPoint presentation) Which of the Software Applications (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) Support This File Format? 1. EPS Encapsulated PostScript is a vector format that is used for high resolution printing, logos, icons, and more EPS files are supported by all applications but is commonly used with Illustrator 2. JPG or JPEG Joint photographic experts group is used as sharable files or to be used on the web JPG/JPEG is supported by all of the applications but is mostly used with Photoshop 3. PDF Portable document files are used for printed or web documents and best for sharing across all platforms PDF files are supported by all applications 4. PNG Portable network graphic is great for web use and also has transparency PNG files are supported by all applications but is mainly used for web 5. TIFF Tagged image file format is used for high quality graphics in page layouts and editing photos TIFF files are supported by all programs
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File Format Examples of When This File Format is Used (i.e., image to be used in a PowerPoint presentation) Which of the Software Applications (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) Support This File Format? 6. GIF Graphic interchange format is used for web sharing and creates web graphics or animations with transparent backgrounds GIF files are supported by all programs but created using Photoshop and Illustrator a mainly used for web 7. SVG Scalable vector graphics are used for web graphics SVGs are supported by all applications but Illustrator is best for creating SVGs 8. PSD Photoshop document is the main Photoshop format are used for images with multiple layers Only Photoshop support PSDs 9. AI Adobe Illustrator files are used for vector images AI files are supported only on Illustrator 10. INDD InDesign documents are used for documents made up of one or many pages INDD files are supported only with InDesign
Comparing Tools and Features Adobe Photoshop 1. Insert an image of the poster you edited in Adobe Photoshop.
2. Identify the tools in Adobe Photoshop you used to complete each of the six design tasks and describe where the tools/features are located in the software application.
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1. Change the background color to one you believe is more appealing. After locating the background layer in the layers section on the right side, I used the Hue/Saturation tool at the bottom of the layers section and changed the color with the sliders making the background purple, less saturated, and lighter. I selected purple as it the complimentary color to yellow and helped the other elements of the poster pop. 2. Remove the last “Sponsored by:” item (mouse with cheese in bottom right corner). To remove this graphic from the poster, I found the layer in the layers menu and deleted the layer. 3. Move the remaining three “Sponsored by:” items so they are evenly spaced across the bottom. In order to re-center the remaining graphics of the sponsors, I turned on the grid tool by using the Apple quick keys “Command ‘ ” or you can find it under the pop down under view, show, grid. Once the grid was on, I used the arrow keys to move the graphics in their proper spaces using the grid to make sure they were properly spaced.
4. Add a drop shadow to the circle with text. To add the drop shadow, I found the layer that the ellipse was one and double clicked it in the open area next to the layer name. This opened a new menu called “Layer Style.” Among the multiple effects available to choose from, you can add a drop shadow. You can customize the shadow as you need based on the project. You can preview it while you adjust by making sure the preview box is checked. 5. Add a text box above the picture of cheese using the following content: “Thousands of different varieties of cheese: cow, goat, sheep, yak, camel—even reindeer and horse.” In order to insert the next text, I checked a previous text layer in order to use the same font and text size. To do that I found one of the layers, selected it, and use the character tools in the right side fly out menu. After checking that information, I used the text tool in the left tool bar to draw out the text box in the open space and pasted in the necessary content. 6. Replace the picture of cheese with any cheese-related image of your choosing.
To replace the image, I first fount the image I wanted and adjusted it the way I wanted like removing the background in a separate file. After making the adjustments, I created a new layer above the already existing cheese image and pasted in the new image in the new layer. Once the image was inserted, I deleted the original image layer and positioned the new image. Adobe Illustrator 1. Insert an image of the poster you edited in Adobe Illustrator.
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2. Identify the tools in Adobe Illustrator you used to complete each of the six design tasks and describe where the tools/features are located in the software application.
1. Change the background color to one you believe is more appealing. To change the background of the poster, I started by selecting the layer and clicking gradient in the tool bar on the right side. I used the radial gradient with a similar purple as the photoshopped poster. When I was happy with the gradient I clicked enter. 2. Remove the last “Sponsored by:” item (mouse with cheese in bottom right corner). To remove the graphic, I clicked on it and hit the backspace button. 3. Move the remaining three “Sponsored by:” items so they are evenly spaced across the bottom. To adjust the placement of the remaining three sponsor graphics, I used the arrow keys to move them into their places. 4. Add a drop shadow to the circle with text.
In order to add a drop shadow to the ellipse, I clicked on the original shape then used the effects menu at the top scrolling down to the stylize option and using the flyout and selecting the drop shadow option. From there you can adjust it as needed. 5. Add a text box above the picture of cheese using the following content: “Thousands of different varieties of cheese: cow, goat, sheep, yak, camel—even reindeer and horse.” To add the text, I used the text tool from the tool from the tools on the left side. I placed the text box in the open area above the photo and pasted in the needed text. Once the text was added, I used the character option in the tool bar on the right to adjust the font and text size to match the other text on the poster. 6. Replace the picture of cheese with any cheese-related image of your choosing. In order to replace the image of the cheese, I deleted the existing image. I then used the saved and adjusted photo from photoshop and placed it in Illustrator. To do that, I used the file option in the top bar, moving down to the place option and selecting the image I wanted to put in. Once the image was positioned, I embedded the image.
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Adobe InDesign 1. Insert an image of the poster you edited in Adobe InDesign.
2. Identify the tools in Adobe InDesign you used to complete each of the six design tasks and describe where the tools/features are located in the software application.
1. Change the background color to one you believe is more appealing. To change the background in InDesign, you select the background with the selection tool. Once selected, you can use the gradient tool to create a radial gradient. You can use the sliders to select the colors and placement of the gradient. 2. Remove the last “Sponsored by:” item (mouse with cheese in bottom right corner). With the selection tool, you select the sponsor graphic you wish to remove and simply delete it. 3. Move the remaining three “Sponsored by:” items so they are evenly spaced across the bottom. To reposition the remain sponsor graphics, you select each one and can move them with the arrow keys to place them properly. 4. Add a drop shadow to the circle with text.
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Adding a drop shadow with InDesign requires that you select the shape with the selection tool, and in the properties tool bar on the right side, there is an “fx” button under appearance where there will be a drop-down menu with drop shadow as an option. Using that, you can adjust the shadow to your liking and project needs. \ 5. Add a text box above the picture of cheese using the following content: “Thousands of different varieties of cheese: cow, goat, sheep, yak, camel—even reindeer and horse.” To add in a text box, you use the text tool from the tool bar on the left side. You draw the text box in the open space and can insert the needed content. Once the necessary content was input, you are able adjust the front and text size on the right-side tool bar. 6. Replace the picture of cheese with any cheese-related image of your choosing. In order to replace the image, first you have to remove the existing one by clicking it and deleting it. Once removed, you can use the file option from the top tool bar and select the place option from the drop-down menu.
Compare the Tools and Software Applications 1. For each of the six design tasks, explain which tool and software application you found easiest to use in accomplishing the task and why. Each program runs very differently from the others. The one main tool they have in common that is very easy to use is the delete tool. They each have elements that are easier to navigate than they are on the other programs. Out of the three, I believe that Photoshop is the easiest of them to navigate and overall, a user-friendly program. The easiest tool to use on it was the placement of the images. While rasterizing an inserted image is often necessary, I find that it is easier to do than it is to embed a placed image on Illustrator. Photoshop also makes it easy to move the different graphic elements like the sponsor logos, and changing the background color. InDesign was the most difficult to use out of the three for me as it is also the one, I have the least experience on. That being said, the program made it very easy to create the drop shadow behind the ellipse as the effects tool is in a more visible place than the other programs. With Illustrator, I was easy to create text boxes and adjust the text to fit in with the rest. It is also easy to change the background. 2. For each of the six design tasks, explain which tool and software application you think had the best result and why.
With finally comparing the three programs by editing the same poster on each program, I think that Illustrator had the best result. Illustrator was my favorite to use out of all of them. It has a lot more tools to create a more dynamic graphic piece. Although using Photoshop can still be necessary with certain projects like I did with these posters to edit the new photo of the cheese. Illustrator has an easier time when adding text to projects than Photoshop does and more capability to manipulate the text. InDesign and Photoshop both felt very limited to their specialties of text layouts and photo manipulation, respectively. While I was able to create the same basic end result from each of the programs, they each felt very different. They both had tools that were easy to use on each program but still felt very limited. Analyzing and Improving Designs Effective Graphic Design Elements 1. Capture the newsletter as the front image, and then the back image, and use one of the software applications to circle or highlight 2 to 3 effective design elements, based on the five elements and the six principles of design defined in Chapter 2 your textbook, Graphic Design: Learn It, Do It . Insert the captured image below.
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2. Name each highlighted graphic design element (i.e., “White space”) and explain how the newsletter effectively applied this design element. In this newsletter, there were a lot of examples that effectively use design elements. The first most eye-catching one was the use of shape, as I called out in the circles. In each of the callouts, the images are silhouettes of the subject. The text also wraps around the images in two of the spots which pulls the readers eye to it and helps them visualize what they are reading. In the pentagon callouts, I highlighted the use of different colors used as drop shadows for the heading of the different
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sections. This adds an element of contrast to typical black font and helps the phrase to really stand out. The final thing I called out as effective example is in the rectangles as the use of color blocks to back certain text boxes as well as silhouetted images to ground them instead of it looking like they are floating. This color is also used several times throughout the newsletter, and it is a great example of unity. Ineffective Graphic Design Elements 1. Capture the newsletter as the front image, and then the back image, and use one of the software applications to circle or highlight 2 to 3 ineffective design elements, based on the five elements and the six principles of design defined in Chapter 2 your textbook, Graphic Design: Learn It, Do It . Insert the captured image below.
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2. Name each highlighted graphic design element (i.e., “font”) and explain how the newsletter ineffectively applied this design element. While this newsletter had several things that worked effectively for it, there were also a couple of this that could have been better. The first being called out in the circles which is the lines that separate the sections. All the lines are different weights and different colors which made it feel off balance. If there was more uniformity to them, if they were all the accent minty green color it would also bring more cohesion to the overall look of the newsletter. The other ineffective element was
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space called out in the rectangles. In my opinion, this was the most ineffective element in the newsletter which was the spacing in the contest section. All the information and images felt on top of each other and too close to the line separating this section from the final article. Making Improvements Determine which combination of software applications and tools (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign) you will use to make needed improvements to the newsletter design. Be sure to identify the most appropriate software application and tools to address each ineffective design element you identified, and explain your selection. To make improvements on the few ineffective elements I pointed out in the newsletter could easily be changed in the InDesign program. To change the line weight and colors, I used the selection tool while holding the shift key and selected them all at once. In doing this it made sure that when the changes to the line weight and color happened, it changed them all the same way and did not need to change each line individually. I changed the line weight to 2 pt. and changed the color the minty green color. Changing the line weight also freed a little bit more space in the giveaway section of the newsletter. After that I had some space to use the selection tool and move some of the graphics in the giveaway section to open it up a little bit more and help it not feel so close to the other article.
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Visual Presentation of the Design Software Overview Insert a visual presentation that summarizes information about Adobe Illustrator and associated file formats. Use this visual to highlight the key information you want to quickly reference. Use your Communicating Visually activity as a base, and then revise your visual presentation using instructor feedback and a consideration of industry standards for design (design principles and elements).
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Insert a visual presentation that summarizes information about Adobe Photoshop and associated file formats. Use this visual to highlight the key information you want to quickly reference. Use your Communicating Visually activity as a base, and then revise your visual presentation using instructor feedback and a consideration of industry standards for design (design principles and elements).
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Insert a visual presentation that summarizes information about Adobe InDesign and associated file formats. Use this visual to highlight the key information you want to quickly reference. Use your Communicating Visually activity as a base, and then revise your visual presentation using instructor feedback and a consideration of industry standards for design (design principles and elements).
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Works Cited Cheese Image: “The Surprising Health Benefits of Cheese.” GQ , 2 Dec. 2016, media.gq.com/photos/581799e0a6fe84375dbe8d86/16:9/w_2240,c_limit/Cheese%201.jpg. Hughes, Katherine A.   Graphic Design : Learn It, Do It.   CRC Press, 2019.   SNHU Online Library Catalog , ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat04477a&AN=snhu.b2013247&site=e ds-live&scope=site. Lasquite, Mydee. "What Makes Good Design? Basic Elements and Principles." Visme , 28 Sept. 2015, visme.co/blog/elements- principles-good-design/. Lundquist, S. (n.d.). Image file formats: When to use each file type. 99designs by Vista. https://99designs.com/blog/tips/image- filetypes/
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