Creating effective, eye-catching designs and layouts is a matter of both inspiration and practical know-how. This book integrates clear explanations of the concepts behind great design with instruction in the use of the core software packages - Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign. It helps beginner learn the essentials of graphic design.

Learning by doing is the best way to get to grips with new ideas, and graphic design is no different. Weaving together creative strategies and design principles with step-by-step Adobe software guidance, this unique book helps you to immediately put into practice the concepts as you're learning them so they become second nature. Covering all the introductory topics a designer needs to know – from working with colour and layout, to editing images and designing apps – this fully updated edition of the hugely popular Graphic Design Essentials includes plenty of hands-on instruction and real-life examples to give you a thorough grounding in the fundamentals. This new edition includes: - Coverage of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign - Examples of designs from the UK, US, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, China, the Middle East and Australia - Smaller supporting activities alongside major project exercises - New design formats, including apps and infographics - Downloadable resources to use within the software instruction

"A guide to the seven leading software programs in graphic design, presenting the essential basics that students and professionals need on a day-to-day basis to use Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, QuarkXPress, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Acrobat, including: seven chapters that focus on a separate program and familiarize the user with the screen, menus, windows, tools, navigation system, and basic procedures specific to each piece of software; overviews of all the software applications and descriptions of how they interact with one another, and features a full glossary of terms; information on such wider aspects of digital technology as color management and printing processes; and instructions in both Mac and PC formats." - product description.

This unofficial compilation reviews the 100 best TED talks about creativity from great minds worldwide. With quirky graphics and memorable quotes, Great TED Talks: Creativity will inspire your thinking, open your mind to new perspectives and ignite your passion for creativity. Learn how to keep your focus from masters such as Google engineer Matt Cutts and advertising legend Rory Sutherland. Be open to new ways of thinking, and discover what author Elizabeth Gilbert and musician Sting do when they have a creative block. Find inspiration in unusual places, and learn how to get 'Aha!' moments with Blue Man Group cofounder Matt Goldman. Encounter new ways to work with others, including entrepreneur Chip Conley’s tips on bridging the generation gap within your team and artist Marina Abramović’s advice on collaborating with your audience. There are thousands of TED talks to navigate—this book curates the most inspiring and provides a commentary on the top 100 ways to boost your inventiveness, find new avenues to explore, and overcome creative blocks to unleash your full potential.

'The Language of Graphic Design' provides graphic design students and practitioners with an in-depth understanding of the fundamental elements and principles of their language, what they are, why they are important and how to use them effectively.

One of the most beloved vector graphic softwares among Web Designers is Adobe Illustrator. But getting to know all of its tools and features can be time consuming. With this eBook we try to ease the learning process for you. You will get to learn how to create graphics, transform a sketch into a vector, combine analog and digital techniques, prepare artwork for screen printing and also learn useful typography tips, all focusing on Adobe Illustrator. TABLE OF CONTENTS - Productive Web Design With. Adobe Illustrator? - Creating Graphs With Adobe Illustrator - Illustrators Live Trace: Sketch to Vector - Mixing Up Illustration: Combining Analog And Digital Techniques - Examples And Tips For Using Illustrators Warp Tools - Preparing Artwork for Screen Printing in Adobe Illustrator - Create a Cute Little Tiger in Illustrator - Useful Typography Tips For Adobe Illustrator

Complete coverage of basic design principles illustrated by student examples Design for Communication offers a unique approach to mastering the basic design principles, conceptual problem-solving methods, and critical-thinking skills that distinguish graphic designers from desktop technicians. This book presents forty-two basic to advanced graphic design and typography assignments collaboratively written by college educators to teach the fundamental processes, concepts, and techniques through hands-on applications. Each assignment is illustrated with actual student solutions, and each includes a process narrative and an educator's critical analysis revealing the reasoning behind the creative strategies employed by each individual student solution. Assignments are organized from basic to advanced within six sections: * The elements and principles of design * Typography as image * Creative word play * Word and image * Grid and visual hierarchy * Visual advocacy Design for Communication is a highly visual resource of instruction, information, ideas, and inspiration for students and professionals.