Getting Started w/ Esports Graphic Design and Branding

Getting Started

The goal of today is to give you a basic understanding of design concepts in order for you to start designing with more clear intent. Below you will find some high-level topics to think about before getting started with Pixlr as well as some resources to get you started with the course. 

A Crash Course in Graphic Design

According to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), graphic design is defined as “the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content.” In short, you can think of graphic design as visual communication. 

We'll take a brief look at three of the most fundamental design topics to get familiar with: color, composition, and forms.

Color

When you think of the word 'danger', what color do you associate that word with? There's a good chance you might say 'red', but why?

There's more to color than just making internal associations. Color theory and utilizing it effectively can help you create graphic works that both stand out and emphasize your ideas.

If you have trouble with generating ideas for color palettes on your own, there are some websites that help generate them for you. Try playing around with some to see which one you like the best:

Coolors - The super fast color palettes generator!

Color wheel, a color palette generator | Adobe Color

Color Palettes for Designers and Artists - Color Hunt

Composition

With any given canvas or artboard that any designer works with, there's only so much space to use for graphics work. How can you use that space effectively and efficiently for your own design ideas?

You can think of layout and composition as the principles that help guide the eye around your design. Take a look at Valorant and their website layout: what draws your attention first? How do your eyes move as you read their content further?

Form

All graphic works are created by manipulating the most basic key elements in design: line, shape, form, texture, and balance. Knowing and understanding these elements and their general uses is integral for gaining a solid foundation for becoming a graphic designer.

Design in the Context of Esports

While all design principles can be universally applied to any particular design field, some industries (especially Esports) can have a different approach to their designs. It's important to have a better understanding of the specific industry you are creating your designs for in order to have the right mindset.

For example, you would most likely approach creating a dinner menu for a high-class restaurant in a much different manner than you would approach creating an advertisement for a Smash Bros. tournament for a local bar.

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Now that we have covered some basic terms and topics, let's jump into how to use Pixlr.