DESIGN GLOSSARY

Design Principles & Elements

1. Alignment: Arranging elements in a straight line or in correct positioning relative to each other.

2. Balance: The distribution of visual weight in a design, which can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

3. Contrast: The difference in luminance or color that makes an object distinguishable from others within the same view.

4. Hierarchy: The arrangement of elements to signify importance, often through size, color, or placement.

5. Proportion: The relative size and scale of the various elements in a design.

6. Repetition: Reusing the same or similar elements throughout a design for consistency.

7. Rhythm: Creating movement and harmony by repeating elements or using alternating patterns.

8. Space (White Space/Negative Space): The empty area around or between elements in a design.

9. Unity: The feeling of harmony between all parts of the work, creating a sense of completeness.

Color Theory

1. Hue: The attribute of color that enables us to classify it as red, green, blue, etc.

2. Saturation: The intensity or purity of a color; a high saturation means vivid colors, while low saturation produces more muted tones.

3. Monochromatic: A color scheme derived from a single base hue, expanded using shades, tones, and tints.

4. Complementary Colors: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, which create strong contrast and visual interest.

5. Analogous Colors: Colors located next to each other on the color wheel, often creating a harmonious look.

Typography

1. Baseline: The line on which most letters sit in a typeface.

2. Kerning: The space between individual characters in a font, adjusted to improve visual appeal and readability.

3. Leading: The vertical space between lines of text.

4. Serif: Small decorative strokes that are added to the end of a letter's main strokes, common in traditional fonts.

5. Sans-serif: Fonts without decorative strokes (serifs), often used for modern or minimalistic designs.

6. Tracking: The overall space between characters in a block of text, as opposed to kerning, which adjusts space between individual letters.
   Typesetting: The arrangement of text on a page, ensuring proper alignment, kerning, and spacing for optimal readability.

7. Widow: A short line or single word left at the end of a paragraph or column, considered poor design.

8. Orphan: A single word or short phrase that appears at the top of a new column or page, also considered poor design.

9. Margins: The space around the edges of a printed page that helps to frame the content.

10. Gutter: The space between columns of text or the inner margins of facing pages in a book or magazine.

Digital Design & UI/UX

1. Wireframe: A basic, visual guide used to suggest the structure of a website or app.

2. Mockup: A high-fidelity design representation used to show what the final product will look like.

3. Prototype: An interactive, often functional model of a design used to test functionality and design concepts.

4. Responsive Design: Designing websites to adapt to various screen sizes, ensuring they function well on devices from mobile phones to desktop computers.

5. User Experience (UX): The overall experience a user has when interacting with a product, focusing on ease of use and satisfaction.

6. User Interface (UI): The space where interactions between humans and machines occur, focused on aesthetics, layout, and interactivity.

Graphic Design Tools & Concepts

1. CMYK: A color model used in printing, representing cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black).

2. RGB: A color model used for digital displays, representing red, green, and blue.

3. Vector Graphics: Graphics created using mathematical equations, allowing them to be scaled without losing quality.

4. Raster Graphics: Images made up of pixels, which can lose quality when resized.

5. Gradient: A smooth transition between two or more colors.

6. Grid System: A layout system used to structure content in a balanced and organized manner, typically in web or print design.

Photography & Visual Elements

1. Resolution: The detail an image holds, often measured in pixels for digital images.

2. DPI (Dots Per Inch): A measure of the resolution of a printed image.

3. Aspect Ratio: The proportional relationship between the width and height of a design or image.

4. Depth of Field: The distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a photo that appears acceptably sharp.

Branding & Identity

1. Logotype: A logo design that focuses mainly on stylized text or the name of a brand.

2. Wordmark: A logo that uses typography to create a unique, recognizable mark for a company or brand.

3. Brand Identity: The visual and sensory aspects of a brand, including the logo, color scheme, and overall style.

4. Mood Board: A collection of images, materials, or typography that represents the visual direction or inspiration for a design project.

3D Design & Motion Graphics

1. Rendering: The process of generating a photorealistic image from a 3D model.

2. Keyframe: A frame in an animation where a change occurs, marking the start or end of a transition.

3. Bezier Curve: A mathematically defined curve used in design and animation for smooth transitions or paths.

4. Compositing: Combining visual elements from different sources into a single image, often used in video and film production.

Miscellaneous

1. Iteration: The process of repeatedly refining and improving a design.

2. Mood: The emotional tone conveyed by a design, often influenced by color, typography, and imagery.

3. Gestalt Principles: A set of psychological principles about how humans perceive visual elements as unified wholes rather than individual parts.

Print Processes

1. Offset Printing: A printing technique where the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. Widely used for high-volume printing like newspapers, brochures, and magazines.

2. Digital Printing: A method of printing from a digital-based image directly to a variety of media. Typically used for short-run printing, it's faster and more cost-effective for lower quantities.

3. Screen Printing: A method where ink is pushed through a screen or stencil onto the printing surface, commonly used for posters, textiles, and packaging.

4. Letterpress: A traditional form of relief printing using a printing press, where the type or image is inked and pressed onto paper to create a print.

5. Gravure: A printing process where the image is engraved onto a cylinder, often used for long runs of high-quality images like magazines or packaging.

Paper & Materials

1. GSM (Grams per Square Meter): The measurement of paper thickness and weight, affecting the feel and durability of printed materials.

2. Coated Paper: Paper with a surface coating, often glossy or matte, that enhances the appearance of images and text.

3. Uncoated Paper: Paper with no surface coating, often used for stationery, books, and forms, with a more natural feel and texture.

4. Card Stock: A heavier, more durable type of paper used for items like business cards, postcards, and packaging.

5. Vellum: A translucent paper often used for overlays or invitations, with a frosted appearance.

Print Finishes

1. Aqueous Coating: A clear, water-based coating applied to printed materials for protection and to enhance gloss or matte finishes.

2. UV Coating: A glossy coating cured with ultraviolet light, resulting in a very shiny and durable finish, often used for brochures or business cards.

3. Matte Finish: A non-reflective, smooth finish that reduces glare and provides a softer look.

4. Gloss Finish: A shiny finish that enhances the vibrancy of colors, commonly used in magazines and high-quality brochures.

5. Lamination: A thin plastic coating applied to paper for added durability and protection, available in gloss or matte options.

Color Management

1. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black): The color model used in printing, where different percentages of these four colors combine to produce a full spectrum of colors.

2. Pantone (PMS): A standardized color matching system that uses numbered inks for precise color reproduction, often used for brand logos and packaging.

3. Spot Color: A method of printing where a specific premixed color (usually from the Pantone system) is used instead of or alongside the CMYK process.

4. Color Separation: The process of dividing an image into the four CMYK colors for printing.

5. Bleed: Extra printed area that extends beyond the trim edge, ensuring that the final product has no white edges after cutting.

6. Overprint: A technique where one ink color is printed over another to create a layered effect, commonly used to achieve unique color effects.

7. Rich Black: A black ink mixture made from a combination of CMYK inks (e.g., 60% cyan, 40% magenta, 40% yellow, 100% black) to create a deeper, more saturated black than standard black ink.

Printing Techniques

1. Embossing: A process that creates a raised image on paper by pressing it between a raised and recessed die.

2. Debossing: The reverse of embossing, where the design is pressed into the material, creating a recessed image.

3. Die Cutting: A technique used to cut printed pieces into specific shapes using a die, often used for packaging, invitations, or custom shapes.

4. Foil Stamping: A process that applies a metallic foil to paper using heat and pressure, creating a shiny, reflective surface.

5. Letterpress Printing: A relief printing method where the image or text is pressed into the paper, leaving a tactile impression.