Graphic Design Term Glossary

A

Adobe Creative Cloud
A suite of applications and services from Adobe used for graphic design, video editing, web development, and photography, as well as a set of mobile apps and cloud services.
Alignment
The arrangement of visual elements along a line or appropriate relative positions, often used to create a harmonious, structured, and organized design.
Analogous Colors
A color scheme where colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel are used, providing a cohesive and calming aesthetic.
Artboard
A workspace or blank canvas in design software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, used to create and organize designs.
Aspect Ratio
The proportional relationship between an image's width and its height, crucial for maintaining the visual integrity of an image across various media formats.
Asset
A resource used in a design project, such as images, fonts, or illustrations, stored for future reference or use in a design file.
Avatar
A graphical icon or symbol representing a person, usually for a profile image or digital identity in websites, apps, or games.
Ascender
In typography, the part of a lowercase letter that extends above the height of other lowercase letters (e.g., the top of 'h').

B

Baseline
In typography, the invisible line upon which most letters sit and from which the ascenders and descenders extend.
Bitmap
A raster image file format that stores pixel data, commonly used for web graphics, photos, and complex images. It does not scale well.
Bleed
The area beyond the edge of a document or design that is cropped after printing, ensuring that no unprinted margins are visible.
Brand Identity
The visual and verbal identity of a brand, including elements such as logos, color schemes, typography, and messaging that represent a company's ethos.
Brief
A document that outlines the scope, objectives, target audience, and key deliverables for a design project.
Brush Tool
A tool in graphic design software that simulates the effect of painting with a brush, often customizable for different stroke types and effects.
Budget
The financial allocation or spending plan for a design project, dictating the resources available for the project’s execution.

C

CMYK
A subtractive color model used in printing that combines Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black inks to create full-color images.
Color Palette
A selected group of colors used consistently throughout a design project to establish brand identity and visual harmony.
Contrast
The degree of difference between design elements, such as light and dark colors, to create visual hierarchy and focus.
Copy
Text written for inclusion in a design, such as in advertising, websites, brochures, or product packaging.
Creative Commons
A system of licensing that allows creators to share their work with others under specified conditions, fostering collaboration while protecting their intellectual property.
Crop
The process of removing unwanted parts of an image by trimming its edges to focus on a specific area or subject.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
A style sheet language used to control the layout and presentation of HTML documents, allowing for the separation of content and design.
Curvature Tool
A tool in vector design programs like Adobe Illustrator that allows for the creation of curved lines by placing anchor points and manipulating curves.

D

DPI (Dots Per Inch)
A measure of image resolution, particularly in printed material, representing the number of individual dots of ink in one inch of a printed image.
Drop Shadow
A visual effect that adds depth by creating a shadow behind an object, often used to give the illusion of floating or lifted objects.
Dynamic Range
The difference between the darkest and lightest tones in an image, impacting how detailed or vibrant the image appears.
Dummy Text
Placeholder text used to demonstrate the visual appearance of a document without the need for real content, commonly seen as Lorem Ipsum.
Duotone
An image effect that uses two colors, typically black and a secondary hue, to create a striking and bold visual result.
Downloadable Assets
Assets, such as fonts, images, and templates, that can be downloaded from online platforms for use in design projects.
Design System
A system of reusable design components, rules, and patterns that help maintain consistency in user interface design across a product or brand.

E

EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
A vector file format often used to save illustrations and designs in high resolution for print and editing purposes.
Editorial Design
The practice of designing layouts for magazines, newspapers, or other long-form printed or digital publications.
Emphasis
The technique of making a particular element stand out by using size, color, or contrast, to direct the viewer’s attention.
Export
The process of saving a design in a different file format or optimizing it for different platforms and uses (e.g., export to PDF or PNG).
Eye Tracking
A method used in UX research to track where users are looking while interacting with a design, helping designers improve layout and flow.

F

Favicon
A small icon associated with a website, displayed in the browser tab or bookmarks to help with brand recognition.
Feathering
A technique that softens the edges of an image or object by gradually blending its border with the background.
Flat Design
A minimalistic design style that favors simplicity, flat elements, and a lack of shadows or gradients, often used in web and mobile interfaces.
Font Family
A group of fonts that share similar design features but differ in weight, width, or style (e.g., Arial, Arial Bold, Arial Italic).
Freelancer
An independent professional who offers graphic design services to clients on a project or contract basis, without being employed full-time.
Funnel
A sequence of design elements or actions that guide users toward completing a desired action, often used in web design to increase conversions.
Functional Design
A design approach that prioritizes the usability and function of the design over its aesthetic qualities, often applied in UX design.

G

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
A bitmap image format that supports both static and animated images, often used for short animations or web graphics.
Golden Ratio
A mathematical ratio (approximately 1.618:1) used to create balanced and aesthetically pleasing compositions in design.
Gradient
A gradual blend between two or more colors or shades, often used to create depth and interest in a design.
Grid
A framework of intersecting vertical and horizontal lines used to align and structure design elements consistently.
Glyph
An individual character or symbol in a typeface, such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark.
Greyscale
An image composed only of varying shades of grey, without color, used for both artistic and technical purposes.
Guideline
Non-printing lines that help designers align elements, maintain spacing, and ensure consistency in layouts.

H

Harmony
A design principle where elements are arranged in a way that creates a sense of unity and balance.
Hierarchy
The arrangement of elements in a design in order of importance, guiding the viewer’s attention to key information first.
Hue
The attribute of a color that differentiates it from others on the color wheel, such as red, blue, or yellow.
Hex Code
A six-character code used to specify colors in web design, starting with a ‘#’ followed by numbers and letters (e.g., #FFFFFF for white).
Highlight
An area of a design where the lightest tones are emphasized to draw attention or create a three-dimensional effect.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
The standard language used to create web pages and applications, working in conjunction with CSS and JavaScript.
Hyperlink
A clickable link in a web page or digital document that leads to another location or resource.

I

Iconography
The use of symbols or icons in design to communicate ideas quickly and effectively.
Illustration
A hand-drawn or digitally created image used to represent or explain concepts, often more artistic than photographic images.
Image Resolution
The level of detail an image holds, typically measured in DPI (dots per inch) or PPI (pixels per inch) for digital images.
Interface Design
The design of user interfaces for software, websites, or applications, focusing on usability and user experience.
Iteration
The process of refining a design through multiple versions or adjustments based on feedback.
InDesign
Adobe’s desktop publishing software used for creating print and digital layouts, such as magazines, brochures, and eBooks.

J

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
A commonly used method of compression for digital images, particularly for web and photography, offering a balance between file size and quality.
Justification
In typography, the alignment of text to the left, right, or center of a column, or evenly spaced between the margins.

K

Kerning
The adjustment of space between individual characters in a typeface to create a visually appealing flow of text.
Keyline
A line used to define the boundaries of an object in a design, often used to highlight or outline elements.
Knockout Text
Text that appears transparent against a background, revealing the background design through the letters.

L

Leading
The vertical spacing between lines of text in a paragraph, affecting readability and the overall look of a design.
Letterpress
A traditional printing method where text or images are pressed into paper, creating a textured effect.
Lightbox
A tool used in design for tracing, but also a web feature that enlarges images or videos when clicked on, often dimming the background.
Logotype
A logo that consists primarily of the brand’s name or initials, often in a custom typeface.
Lorem Ipsum
A filler text commonly used in design mockups to simulate real content before final copy is available.
Low Fidelity Design
A simple, often hand-drawn prototype or wireframe used early in the design process to illustrate basic ideas.

M

Mockup
A realistic representation or model of a design project, often used to visualize the final product in context before final production.
Mood Board
A collage of images, text, and other visual elements used to convey the intended style or direction of a design project.
Monochrome
A color scheme based on a single hue, using variations in lightness and saturation to create visual interest.
Margin
The space between the design elements and the edge of the document or screen, often used to improve readability and aesthetics.
Masking
A technique in digital design where parts of an image or object are hidden to reveal specific areas.
Matte Finish
A non-glossy finish often used in print design to create a flat, non-reflective surface.
Minimalism
A design style characterized by simplicity, the use of few elements, and a focus on functionality over decoration.
Motion Graphics
Animated graphic design work that combines movement with visual elements to convey messages in a dynamic way.
Mood
The emotional atmosphere or feeling a design project evokes, often guided by the choice of color, typography, and imagery.

N

Negative Space
The empty or open space around design elements, also called 'white space,' used to create balance and focus.
Noise
Visual distortion or graininess in an image, often added intentionally for a textured effect or reduced for clarity.
Notch
A small, often intentional cut-out or indentation in a design, such as on the edge of a product or image.
Nudge
Small adjustments made to the positioning of elements in a design, often by using the arrow keys to move objects pixel by pixel.

O

Opacity
The degree to which a design element is transparent, ranging from fully opaque (no transparency) to fully transparent.
Orphan
A single word or short line of text that appears at the end of a paragraph or column, disrupting the visual flow of text.
Overlay
A design element that is placed over another element, often semi-transparent, to add emphasis or additional content.
Offset Printing
A traditional printing method where ink is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then onto the printing surface, known for high-quality output.

P

Pantone
A standardized color matching system used in various industries to ensure color consistency across different media and production processes.
Pica
A unit of measurement in typography, equal to approximately 1/6 of an inch, commonly used to measure text and layout elements.
Pixel
The smallest unit of a digital image, which combines to form the complete image, used in raster-based designs.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
A raster image format that supports transparency and is commonly used for web images, offering high quality with lossless compression.
Placeholder
Temporary content, such as text or images, used in the design to hold the space until the final content is available.
Proof
A printed or digital version of a design used for review before the final version is produced.
Prototype
A functional or interactive version of a design used for testing and feedback before the final product is built.
Print Bleed
The area of a printed design that extends beyond the trim line to ensure the final product has no unprinted edges.

Q

Quality Assurance (QA)
The process of reviewing and testing a design project to ensure it meets the required standards of quality and accuracy.
Quick Mask
A tool in design software, such as Photoshop, that allows temporary masking of areas for more detailed editing.
Quirky Design
An unconventional or playful design style that breaks from traditional aesthetics to create a unique or whimsical effect.

R

Raster Graphics
Images made up of individual pixels, which are resolution-dependent and can lose quality when scaled.
Resolution
The amount of detail in an image, usually measured in DPI (dots per inch) for print or PPI (pixels per inch) for digital images.
Responsive Design
A web design approach that ensures a website or application adjusts and looks good on various screen sizes and devices.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
A color model used for digital displays, where varying intensities of red, green, and blue are combined to create different colors.
Rule of Thirds
A design principle that divides a composition into nine equal parts, with the focal points placed along the grid lines for visual balance.
Retina Display
A term coined by Apple for high-resolution screens that provide a sharper and more detailed viewing experience.
Rough Layout
An early draft or sketch of a design project that outlines the basic structure and composition before refining the details.

S

Sans Serif
A typeface without the small decorative strokes (serifs) at the end of each character, known for a clean and modern look.
Scale
The size of a design element in relation to the other elements or the design as a whole, used to create emphasis or balance.
Script Font
A typeface designed to mimic cursive handwriting, often used for elegant or decorative purposes.
Serif
A typeface with small decorative lines or strokes attached to the ends of characters, used for a more traditional or formal feel.
Shadow
A visual effect where a dark area appears behind an object to give it a sense of depth or dimension.
Skeuomorphism
A design approach that imitates real-world textures and materials to create a more familiar, tactile experience in digital interfaces.
Stock Photo
A pre-existing image available for use in design projects, often licensed for a fee from stock image websites.
Style Guide
A document that outlines the specific colors, fonts, and design rules to ensure consistency across all branding and design materials.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
A vector image format that allows for scalable, high-quality graphics, often used in web design.
Symmetry
A design principle where elements are balanced and equally distributed on either side of a central axis, creating a harmonious composition.

T

Template
A pre-designed layout or file used as a starting point for creating designs, saving time and ensuring consistency.
Texture
The perceived surface quality of a design element, often used to add depth or a tactile feel to digital designs.
Thumbnail
A small, low-resolution version of an image or design used for quick previewing or as part of a gallery.
Tracking
The overall spacing between letters in a block of text, impacting readability and visual appeal.
Transparency
The quality of an element being see-through or partially see-through, often used in layering designs.
Trim
The final size of a printed piece after the excess has been cut away, typically used in print design.
Typeface
A specific design of text characters, including different weights and styles (e.g., bold, italic) within a font family.

U

UI (User Interface)
The layout and design of interfaces in software and websites, focusing on ease of use and aesthetic appeal.
Unicorn Design
A rare, multi-talented designer who excels in both design and development or multiple disciplines within design.
Unsharp Mask
A tool used in image editing to increase the sharpness of a photograph or design by enhancing the contrast along edges.

V

Vector Graphics
Images created using mathematical paths, allowing them to be resized infinitely without loss of quality.
Visual Hierarchy
The arrangement of elements in a design to guide the viewer’s eye in a particular order of importance.
Vignette
A design technique where the edges of an image are gradually faded out, often used to focus attention on the center.
Visual Weight
The perceived importance or emphasis of an element based on its size, color, or position in a design.
Viewport
The visible area of a web page on a user’s device, particularly important in responsive design to ensure the layout adjusts to screen size.

W

Watermark
A semi-transparent image or text placed over another image, usually to indicate ownership or prevent unauthorized use.
Whitespace
Also known as negative space, this is the empty space between design elements, used to create balance and clarity.
Wireframe
A basic visual guide that represents the structure of a website or app, showing where key elements will be placed without focusing on detailed design.
Workflow
The sequence of processes and steps followed to complete a design project, often involving collaboration between team members.

X

X-Height
The height of the lowercase letters in a typeface, specifically the height of the letter 'x,' which impacts legibility and style.

Y

Y-Axis
The vertical axis in a design or graph, often used in charts and graphs to represent data values.

Z

Z-Pattern Layout
A design principle that suggests users’ eyes move in a Z-shape when scanning a page, starting from the top left to the bottom right.
Zoom Tool
A tool in design software that allows the user to magnify or reduce the view of a design to focus on specific details.
Z-Index
A CSS property used to determine the stacking order of elements on a web page, important for layering content.

Graphic Design Term Clossary

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Use our top-notch design talent and get noticed.

Graphic Design Term Clossary

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Use our top-notch design talent and get noticed.

Cookie Settings