A beginner-friendly learning resource by Tessa Jameson Designs. Educational material, not a formal qualification or accredited course.
1. The foundations
Graphic design communicates a message through visual choices. Start with contrast, hierarchy, alignment, repetition, proximity, balance, and whitespace.
2. Typography
Distinguish serif, sans-serif, and display typefaces. Practice legibility, font pairing, line length, spacing, and visual hierarchy. Use no more than two or three complementary type families in a basic layout.
3. Color
Study hue, saturation, value, complementary and analogous palettes, contrast, and accessibility. Evaluate how a palette works in grayscale as well as color.
4. Layout and composition
Build a clear focal point with a grid, deliberate margins, alignment, and consistent spacing. Design for the final format—print, web, or social.
5. Project workflow
- Define the audience and goal.
- Gather references and sketch several concepts.
- Choose type, color, imagery, and layout intentionally.
- Create a draft and check readability at real size.
- Revise using feedback and export for the intended medium.
Practice assignment
Design a fictional community event flyer with a headline, date, location, and call to action. Produce a print version and a square social version.
Self-check questions
- How does visual hierarchy guide the eye?
- What is the difference between kerning and leading?
- Why should contrast be checked for accessibility?
- What export format would you choose for a print-ready flyer?
Answer key
Hierarchy establishes reading order; kerning adjusts space between letter pairs while leading adjusts line spacing; sufficient contrast improves readability; a print-ready PDF with appropriate bleed and specifications is often suitable, depending on the printer.
