| 15 | | 1. Read and be familiar with the task description instructions, which outline the basic requirements. |
| 16 | | 2. Check for the required files to submit. Usually, we require (a) the original artwork in the file format of the graphics program they used to create the image, plus (b) a preview in a PNG format, and then (c) either a vector format image or a high resolution image that would be suitable for printing. Students that don't submit at least (a) and (b) may immediately receive a "request more work" without feedback. |
| 17 | | 3. Ensure the PNG preview satisfies the task requirements. Does it meet the size and legibility expectations? For example, if we request a square, are the dimensions of the preview equal length and width? Does it contain all the required design elements? |
| 18 | | 4. Ensure the PNG is original and legal to use freely. Have images/designs from other sources have been included? Identify where such images/designs came from. Be certain fonts that are freely available to use without a commercial license. |
| 19 | | 5. Check the PNG and vector/highres image for scalability. |
| 20 | | - When the image is scaled down (zoomed out), do the primary graphical elements remain visible? |
| 21 | | - When the image is scaled up (zoomed in), do you see any aliasing artifacts such as uneven pixels in lines? |
| 22 | | 6. Check the PNG preview for C.R.A.P.: contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity. |
| 23 | | * Contrast: |
| 24 | | - Does the design use change in color, font face, shapes, etc. to draw the eye to the primary design element? |
| 25 | | - Does the graphic "pop out" at you in a way that conveys the important elements of the image? |
| 26 | | * Repetition: |
| 27 | | - Are colors, fonts, shapes, lines, angles, etc. used consistently throughout the design to maintain unity and harmony? |
| 28 | | * Alignment: |
| 29 | | - Are lines, fonts, and shapes lined up with each other? |
| 30 | | - Do the pixels blend together where lines meet at corners, or are there sharp edges or gaps? Zoom in and look at each part of the graphic. |
| 31 | | - Do design elements align with each other or with the main graphic in a good way? |
| 32 | | - Are centered objects truly in the center, or should they be relocated? You may need to use a (pixel) measurement tool to check for centering and alignment. |
| 33 | | * Proximity: |
| 34 | | - Are elements of the design located near/far from each other in a way that maintains relationships and meaning? Things "closer together" imply a close relation, whereas if every element of the graphic design is equidistant then they are all equally related. |
| | 15 | == Reviewing a Design == |
| | 19 | 1. All required files are submitted |
| | 20 | * Usually, we require |
| | 21 | - (a) a preview in PNG format, |
| | 22 | - (b) original artwork in the format of the program used to create the design (e.g., PSD for PhotoShop, SVG for Inkscape, AI for Adobe Illustrator), and |
| | 23 | - (c) either a vector format image (e.g., SVG) or a high-resolution image suitable for printing (300+ dpi). |
| | 24 | * Students that don't submit at least (a) and (b) may immediately receive a "request more work" without feedback. |
| | 25 | 2. Design satisfies basic requirements |
| | 26 | - Does it meet size expectations? For example, if we request a square logo, are the dimensions equal length and width? |
| | 27 | - Does it contain all the required design elements? If we request an image and a write-up, are both provided? |
| | 28 | - Is it legible? Spelling mistakes? Grammar mistakes? |
| | 29 | - It can be useful to request/receive a write-up explanation of the design, particularly if there are doubts. |
| | 30 | 3. Legal original work |
| | 31 | - Ensure design is an original work and legal to use freely! Identify where ALL imagery came from. |
| | 32 | - Plagiarism is a common stumbling point as some students are completely unfamiliar with concepts of attribution and licensing. |
| | 33 | - If design incorporates 3rd-party images/icons/clipart/etc or a distinguished font, verify their source and that license permits unlimited redistribution (e.g., CC-BY). |
| | 34 | - Make sure images/icons/clipart/fonts are freely available to use, don't require a fee, have a license that permits non-discriminating use (i.e., CC-BY-NC is not acceptable). |
| | 35 | 4. Check design scalability |
| | 36 | - When scaled down (zoomed out), do the primary graphical elements remain visible? |
| | 37 | - When scaled up (zoomed in), do you see any aliasing artifacts (i.e., jagged pixels) such as uneven pixels in lines? |
| | 38 | - Does it scale appropriately? Logos typically need to scale down to icon-size, posters and t-shirts need to scale up to 300dpi. |
| | 39 | 5. Check design for C.R.A.P.: contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity. |
| | 40 | * Contrast: |
| | 41 | - Does the design effectively use change in color, font face, shapes, etc. to draw the eye to the primary design element? |
| | 42 | - Does the graphic "pop out" at you in a way that conveys the important elements of the image? |
| | 43 | - Is the background too busy? Is it easy to read all text against the background? |
| | 44 | * Repetition: |
| | 45 | - Are colors, fonts, shapes, lines, angles, etc. used consistently throughout the design to maintain unity and harmony? |
| | 46 | - Too many fonts? More than two variable-width fonts should require justification. |
| | 47 | - Too many words? Is the main message lost with too many points being conveyed? |
| | 48 | - Does any image/shape/line pattern dominate the design? |
| | 49 | * Alignment: |
| | 50 | - Are lines, fonts, and shapes lined up with each other? Exactly? |
| | 51 | - Do the pixels blend together where lines meet at corners, or are there sharp edges or gaps? Zoom in and look at each part of the graphic. |
| | 52 | - Do design elements align with each other or with the main graphic in a good way? |
| | 53 | - Are centered objects truly in the center, or should they be relocated? You may need to use a (pixel) measurement tool to check for centering and alignment. |
| | 54 | * Proximity: |
| | 55 | - Are elements of the design located near/far from each other in a way that maintains relationships and meaning? |
| | 56 | - Things "closer together" imply a relation, whereas if every element of the graphic design is equidistant then they are all equally related (or unrelated). |
| | 57 | - Is it cluttered or otherwise overly busy? Collages of words and/or images are rarely effective. |
| | 58 | |
| | 59 | == Design Tips == |
| | 60 | |
| | 61 | * Keep it simple! Less is more. Designs need space to breath. |
| | 62 | * The simpler the design, the more intentional, careful, and precise it must be! |
| | 63 | * Adding (more) words rarely makes a design better. |
| | 64 | * Using lots of fonts makes a design hard to read. |
| | 65 | * The most visually dominant feature of the design should be the most important. |
| | 66 | * Don't be afraid to start with pen and paper. |
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