GCSE Art and Design: Graphic Communications flashcards

Question 1

In graphic design, what does 'balance' mean?

Accepted Answer

The distribution of visual weight in a work of art.

Question 2

In graphic design, what is 'contrast'?

Accepted Answer

Arranging opposite elements to create visual interest.

Question 3

In graphic design, what is 'emphasis'?

Accepted Answer

The part of the design that catches the viewer's attention.

Question 4

In graphic design, what is 'hierarchy'?

Accepted Answer

Arranging elements to show their importance, guiding the viewer's eye.

Question 5

In art and design, what is 'unity'?

Accepted Answer

A feeling of harmony between all parts of the artwork.

Question 6

Is graphic communication mainly about making things look pretty?

Accepted Answer

No. Looks matter, but its focus is conveying information effectively through visual principles such as balance, hierarchy and alignment.

Question 7

What is typography?

Accepted Answer

The art and technique of arranging type so written language is legible, readable and visually appealing.

Question 8

What is a logo?

Accepted Answer

A symbol made of text and/or images that identifies a brand or organisation.

Question 9

What is a serif?

Accepted Answer

A small decorative stroke or extension at the end of a letter's main strokes, often seen in traditional fonts.

Question 10

What is a sans-serif typeface?

Accepted Answer

A typeface without serifs, known for its clean, modern look.

Question 11

What is kerning?

Accepted Answer

The spacing between individual letters in text, adjusted for better visual balance.

Question 12

Do all fonts communicate the same message?

Accepted Answer

No. Each font has its own tone, like a voice: a bold, heavy font and a thin, elegant one change how a brand is perceived.

Question 13

What should a logo's design reflect?

Accepted Answer

The brand's identity and values, so that it resonates with its target audience.

Question 14

What is a typeface?

Accepted Answer

A set of letters that share a similar shape and design.

Question 15

What is brand identity?

Accepted Answer

The visual elements, such as logo, colours and fonts, that create a company's public image.

Question 16

In typography, what does adjusting the leading change?

Accepted Answer

The space between lines of text, for readability.

Question 17

Why are the most successful logos often simple?

Accepted Answer

Clear designs are more memorable and more versatile across different media, formats and sizes.

Question 18

What are wet media?

Accepted Answer

Liquid-based art materials used for mark-making, e.g. ink, watercolour or gouache.

Question 19

With wet media, what is layering?

Accepted Answer

Applying one wash of colour over another once it has dried, to create depth and richness.

Question 20

With wet media, what is blending?

Accepted Answer

Smoothly merging two or more colours while they are wet.

Question 21

What is expressive mark-making?

Accepted Answer

Using brushstrokes, splatters and drips to convey emotion or movement.

Question 22

Must wet media always be fully controlled and neat to look professional?

Accepted Answer

No. Expressive, loose or even accidental marks can be intentional and valued in graphic communication, depending on the project's aims.

Question 23

What are dry media?

Accepted Answer

Non-liquid materials used to make marks on paper, e.g. pencils, charcoal, pastels or graphite sticks.

Question 24

What is hatching?

Accepted Answer

A drawing technique that uses parallel lines to create shading or texture.

Question 25

What is cross-hatching?

Accepted Answer

Shading or texture made with intersecting sets of parallel lines to build up tones and create depth.

Question 26

What is smudging?

Accepted Answer

Using fingers, blending stumps or tissue to blur and soften the edges of marks for smooth tonal transitions.

Question 27

What is tonal range?

Accepted Answer

The range of light to dark tones that can be achieved in an artwork.

Question 28

Why are dry materials useful for quick sketches and on-the-go work?

Accepted Answer

They are ready to use immediately.

Question 29

Can dry media only be used for fine, detailed work?

Accepted Answer

No. Dry media are versatile and can create bold, expressive textures and atmospheric effects too.

Question 30

In digital design, what is image manipulation?

Accepted Answer

Altering or adjusting an image with digital tools to change its appearance or message.

Question 31

In image-editing software, what is layering?

Accepted Answer

Using stacked image components or elements so you can edit non-destructively.

Question 32

What is saturation in colour?

Accepted Answer

The intensity or purity of a colour: higher saturation is brighter, lower is muted or greyed.

Question 33

What is juxtaposition?

Accepted Answer

Placing contrasting images or elements next to each other to create meaning or tension.

Question 34

Is digital image manipulation cheating?

Accepted Answer

No. Digital art is a legitimate medium, like painting or drawing, that needs creative decisions and skill.

Question 35

In design, what is alignment?

Accepted Answer

How text or elements are positioned in relation to each other, which affects clarity and balance.

Question 36

What is legibility?

Accepted Answer

How easily text can be read, affected by font choice, size, spacing and background.

Question 37

In a design, will any text work as long as it is readable?

Accepted Answer

No. Typography must be chosen and placed purposefully to support the tone, audience and message; readability is only the starting point.

Question 38

In design, what is layout?

Accepted Answer

The arrangement of visual elements on a page or design to guide the viewer's eye and convey information.

Question 39

In design, what is proximity?

Accepted Answer

Grouping related elements close together to create a visual connection.

Question 40

Does a more crowded layout make a design more informative?

Accepted Answer

No. More elements can overwhelm the viewer; empty space and a clear hierarchy increase impact and readability.

Question 41

In art and design, what is a primary source?

Accepted Answer

An original material or object used as a direct reference, such as a photograph, object or life study.

Question 42

In art and design, what is a secondary source?

Accepted Answer

An indirect reference, such as images from books, the internet or other artists' artworks.

Question 43

What is visual language?

Accepted Answer

Using visual elements such as line, shape and colour to communicate meaning or ideas.

Question 44

What is contextual research?

Accepted Answer

Investigating a source's background and its cultural or social relevance to inform design choices.

Question 45

Is copying an image an appropriate way to use a source?

Accepted Answer

No. Influence means taking inspiration and transforming it into something new with your own creative input.

GCSE Art and Design: Graphic Communications flashcards

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