Graphic Design: Communicating Through Color

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Graphic design affects many aspects of one’s life, whether a person recognizes it’s there or not. Graphic design can be found in multiple ways, practically everywhere. From something as simple as a gum wrapper, to a person’s favorite shirt- graphic design can be found in many parts of one’s life. A main key of graphic design lies in the placement and colors used in a certain item. Graphic design allows a way to send a message- a way of communication. Aiga.org explains how graphic design portrays a way of communication. “Suppose you want to announce or sell something, amuse or persuade someone, explain a complicated system or demonstrate a process. In other words, you have a message you want to communicate. How do you “send” it? You could tell people one by one, or broadcast by radio or loudspeaker. That’s verbal communication. But if you use any visual medium at all - if you make a poster; type a letter; create a business logo; a magazine ad or an album cover; even make a computer printout - you are using a form of visual communication called graphic design.” Graphic design shows up in many aspects of life, though people don’t usually realize it. Though it goes unnoticed, color affects the choices we make. Color can be referred to as “a powerful tool in graphic design” (“Color Theory in Graphic Design”). Color plays the role of gaining attention, choosing between options given, organizing information, and helping your item to “aesthetically pleasing” (“Color Theory in Graphic Design”). The term “aesthetically pleasing” refers to how things look and how one envisions an object. Color evokes many feelings such as anger, happiness, and hunger. Each color plays a different part of evoking specific feelings and emotions. Youthede... ... middle of paper ... ...lor Theory in Graphic Design." Webblog post. Troy Templeman Design. N.p., 31 Aug. 2010. Web. 2 Nov. 2013. “Graphic Design Terms.” Graphic Design Terms. N.p., 1998. Web. 12 Oct 2013. Lim, Hongkiat. “Hongkiat.com.” Hongkiatcom RSS. N.p., 2012 Web. 12 Oct. 2013. Praschan, Mark. “Smashing Magazine.” 10 Simple and Impressive Design Techniques. N.p., 2 Apr. 2009. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. "Psychological Properties Of Colours - Colour Affects." Psychological Properties Of Colours - Colour Affects. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. "The Graphic Design School Blog." Graphic Design School Blog. N.p., May 2009. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. "What Designers Need To Know." AIGA. N.p., 2013 Web. 12 Oct. 2013. "What is Graphic Design?" AIGA. N.p., 1993. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. Wu, Cadence. "Graphic Design Terms." You The Designer Graphic Design Terms Comments. N.p., 22 Sept. 2007 Web. 12 Oct. 2013.

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