graphic. design basics
amy. e. arntsongraphic design basics
FOURTH EDITION
amy e. arntson
UNIVERSITY
WISCONSIN—WHITEWATER
THOMSON
—j——
wapsworTH
GAPORE ¢ SPAINpreface
Graphic Design Basics introduces students to an exciting and demanding field. Design is
linked tightly to society as it both reflects and helps to shape the world around us.
Designers are part of this dynamic, important process. To enter this field requires discipline:
specific information, hands-on practice and an understanding of time-honored principles,
‘The fourth edition of this text continues to weave a concern for design principles with spe-
cialized information about applications in the field of graphic design.
‘Students will nd a comprehensive introduction to the field of graphic design that
stresses theory and creative development. The fourth edition includes many new, beautiful
{ul-color visuals that refiect many stylistic directions. These new designs and ilustrations are
among the best work from the history of 20th century design. Although graphic styles are
constantly evolving, the structural underpinnings of good design remain constant. Their
application leads to successful design solutions.
‘The tools of the graphic design field are changing quickly, offering opportunities for new
complexities of creation and delivery of content. The fourth edition of Graphic Design Basics
integrates information about computer graphics throughout the text and provides a guide to
generating successtu! fies for electronic prepress. It also includes an entirely new chapter
‘on web design, which has become one of the most powerful and exciting new tools for
designers today.
Graphic Design Basics introduces the form and function of graphic design. it works well
for courses in the field of design, as well as related courses dealing with visual communica-
tion and advertising, Projects and exercises challenge the student to internalize the lessons
in the text and to learn by doing. Chapters 1 and 2 present an introduction to the design
process and the last one hundred years of design history. Chapters 8, 4, and 5 discuss the
vital principles of perception, dynamic balance and Gestalt, and how they relate to graphic
design
Chapters 6 and 7 focus on design principles and applied skils in the special areas of text
type and layout design. Ilustration and photography are combined in Chapter 8. The
boundaries between these disciplines are less rigid than in the past, especially as electronic
‘media makes photographic manipulation, drawing tools and typography available to a broad
range of professionals. Advertising Design is covered in Chapter 9, Chapters 10 and 11
contain extensive material on computer graphics. Traditional and electronic color are als-
‘cussed in Chapter 10 with information about color theory and its application both on and off
the computer. Traitional and electronic prepress production are covered in Chapter 11 with