Wikipedia:WikiProject Graphic design/article candidate

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Use this page to develop a skeleton structure off which to hang a rewrite of the Graphic design article. Please feel free to refine what others have laid out. Topics that you sketch out will be automatically added to the table of contents you see below.

(Some of the following headings may or may not be left in the final document, but can be helpful at this stage for clarity in the structuring of this "skeleton" layout.)

Contents

[edit] Opening Paragraph

Graphic design is a form of communication in which visual information is used to convey a message. Unlike fine art, it is normally used for commercial purposes, to convey a specific and persuasive message to a large audience. Graphic design often incorporates typography and page layout, photography, illustration, dimension|3D design, animation, and branding, but it is not limited to these elements.

Like many forms of communication, graphic design often refers to both the process by which the communication is created, and the final form that it takes.

In its final form, examples of graphic design are everywhere:

  • Print Design – magazine & newspaper layout, posters, corporate logos and identity systems (like letterhead and business card design), book & album cover design, package & label design.
  • Interactive/Motion Design – Web page layout, Web animation, the design of film/video title sequences, software interface design.

As a process, graphic design is complex and multi-faceted.

[edit] Overview

Detail of how graphic design links to other topics such as those described in the opening para, and including clear links to other major topics and important relevant articles in Wikipedia. This may supercede the need for "See also, internal links to other Wiki articles" at the end of this article, which may be closer to the Wiki style (that the dialogue in short paragraphs is sprinkled with links to other articles, rather than point form throughout).

This high level overview may describe how Graphic Design plays a part as a sub-topic within other higher level articles such as Graphic Arts, Communication, Advertising, etc.

[edit] Introduction

Introduction to the detail following, such as laid out in the headings, Elements, Process, Theory, Business, History (and whatever else as it shakes out).

[edit] Elements of Graphic Design

Graphic design incorporates forms and techniques from a wide variety of visual skills and media. These include:

  • Typography - how this element is used in graphic design
  • Page Layout - how this element is used in graphic design
  • Photography - how this element is used in graphic design
  • Illustration - how this element is used in graphic design
  • Animation - how this element is used in graphic design
  • Themes & Metaphors - how this element is used in graphic design
  • Basic Composition - how this element is used in graphic design

[edit] The Process of Graphic Design

  • Planning - how this works and the function this serves in the process of design
  • Problem Solving - how this works and the function this serves in the process of design
  • Research - how this works and the function this serves in the process of design
  • Conceptualizion - how this works and the function this serves in the process of design
  • Mockup - how this works and the function this serves in the process of design
  • Layout & Revision - how this works and the function this serves in the process of design
  • Production - how this works and the function this serves in the process of design

[edit] Principles & Theories of Design

This section should explain the role of graphic design in society, guiding principles, and speculation on the future of graphic design.

[edit] The Business of Graphic design

This section should explain how the business of graphic design has evolved, the designer/client relationship, maybe some wage data, the life of a professional designer, how design works within the overal marketing strategy of a company, what kinds of skills a good designer should have, etc.

[edit] History

[edit] Prehistory

(Explain what type of information this heading should contain)

[edit] Printing and Design before the Industrial Revolution

  • The development of printing and design leading up to 1800

[edit] The Industrial Revolution

(Explain what type of information this heading should contain)

[edit] 20th century

(Explain what type of information this heading should contain)


[edit] As a Profession

[edit] Education

(This section should explain the various ways a designer learns their trade.)

[edit] Professional accreditation

(A definition of accreditation. A mention of notable accrediting bodies and currently available designations.)

[edit] Accreditation vs. Certification

(The difference between accreditation and certification)

[edit] Criticisms

(The opinions of the graphic design community on accreditation, with citations please.)

[edit] Notable Designers

We better not snub anyone! This list should link to a seperate page for each designer, but there could maybe be a brief description of their work. A short list to start:

  • Internal links to other category pages in Wikipedia where lists of designers are being grown.

[edit] See also

(Links to other articles within Wikipedia)

[edit] External Links

(Links to external websites outside of Wikipedia)

  • to come...

[edit] References (citations)

  • to come...

[edit] Categories

List of categories (actual categorization to be performed later):

  • to come...