Introduction
What is graphic arts?
Billboards, Animation, Images, 3D Images, Banners, Posters, Flyers, Print Ads, Logos, Videos...Today, it almost means anything visual, unlike before, it was only used to name the process of print making.
Probably, due to its tedious and sometimes complex process, graphics has become more of an art form than just a display of skill even though much of its process depends on skills...or we can simply put it this way, "to be able to focus on understanding how to arrange the graphic elements in an aesthetical way takes an artistic taste and a gifted eye." And unfortunately, graphic arts is also synonymous to computer graphics simply because 99 percent of graphic productions nowadays is dependent on mindless computers which can produce graphics not only a million times faster (for emphasis only) than humans but also consistently in quality, and even without any complain. I love computers? Don't you?
What is the main tool for graphic arts?
Computer. It has definitely revolutionized and synthesized graphic arts. With a computer, you can do almost anything (graphically speaking):
- Drawing/Illustration
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Typsetting/Layout Designing
- Architectural Drafting
- 2D/3D Animation
- Film Editing/Production
- Photo Editing/Retouching
- and more...
You can just imagine the number of jobs related to computer graphics in our modern way of living. If you are a know-it-all kind of a computer graphic designer, your limitation in doing anything in graphics is only time.
How can you tell if you have done a great graphic design?
First of all, it pleases you. If your work is for a client, it should please him at least. Great graphic design is a complex phenomenon. You have to consider many things, basically the principles of design (unity, emphasis, contrast, repetition, gradation, rhythm, radiation, proportion, scale, balance, harmony, and functionality), importantly, time (trends, fashion, events, generation, circumstances) and social psyche (ideologies, faith, knowledge, norms). So, to do great graphics is, most of the time, relative to what we think, our influences, social issues,... I am not suggesting that anything can be a great graphic design, though possible, but graphic design has one very important function we all have to consider--communication. Graphic design is a form of communication. It tells something directly or indirectly (implied). In this regard, some groups of designers do say that no matter how simple your design is if it effectively communicates the main idea, your graphic design is considered great--I believe them.
