GD Study

Picture Element, it is a square dot that represents the smallest unit displayed on a computer screen. Also, a single point in an electronic image.

Individual letters, punctuation, numerals and other elements that are used when setting type. A symbol in writing.

Small finishing strokes or hairline strokes that project from the main strokes of a letter, ex. Times New Roman

A typeface without series, ex. Modern

And imaginary upon which characters seem to stand.

Height of lowercase letter form, based off the height of "x" in a font

Adjusting the spacing between individual letters/characters

Equal distribution of weight, can be symmetrical or asymmetrical

Part of a design that is emphasized so that the user sees it first

The visual size and weight of each graphic on a page

The spacing between each graphic on a page; elements that have a relationship should be close to each other

Having elements repeat to create visual consistency.

Align images, text and graphics for structure and to achieve a more visually appealing page; the arrangement of elements in a fixed or predetermined position.

A solution in which a viewer knows what to look at first, second, third, etc

The flow or movement established by repeating our varying the visual elements

A mix of elements to stimulate attention. ex. white on black

An invisible structure used as a guide, to help arrange elements on the page.

Background area without text, images or graphics. It can help define proximity and organize elements.

Elements in a design that look as though they belong together.

Printing inks of special colors, for example from the PMS system. Used to achieve an exact color four color inks can't provide.

A grayscale image printed with two printing inks instead of one.

Printed products that should have a shape other than a rectangular one. The blade must be specially ordered.

Technically called raster images, based on a grid of colors known as pixels. Each pixel is assigned a special location and color value.

Made of lines and curves defined by mathematical objects called vectors.

The edge of the page. This is the finished size of the job.

The area that all important art and type should appear in order to avoid being cut off during trimming.

The white area above, below, left and right, of the live area. Art can be here, but still risks getting cut off.

The portion of art at the edge of the page that extends a bit outside the page format, around 5mm or 1/8".

Capital letters or caps of the alphabet. Abbreviated as caps, UC, or C.

Small letters of the alphabet, abbreviated as lc.

Part of the lowercase letter that extends above the X height, ex. g, b, d, h

Part of the lowercase letter that falls below the baseline, ex. p, y, g

Refers to the space between letters/ words respectively.

Mathematical equations commonly used to describe the shapes of characters in electronic typography.

When the left and right sides of the design are unequal.

Line spacing, which is calculated from base line to base line.

Adjusting of the letter spacing throughout copy.

The study and process of typefaces; how to select, size, and use them in general.

The specific typeface used in the main text.

The enclosed oval or round curve of letters like D, g, b, o

The height of the uppercase letters in a font.

"Printer's flowers," small decorate marks, bullets, or symbols that usually make up a specialty face.

Larger and bolder version of a text face which is used for headlines and sub-headlines.