What is Graphic Design?
Graphic design is a creative process that involves organizing text and visuals in a perceptible and visible plane, either two-dimensional or three-dimensional, to convey a message, enhance an image, or visualize a concept. It can be applied digitally or non-digitally in various media such as print, screen, motion pictures, animation, and interior design. In graphic design and graphic arts, fundamental principles of visual arts, such as alignment, balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, proportion, proximity, repetition, rhythm, and unity, are applicable. The term "Grafiker" in Turkish corresponds to the German word "Graphiker," and "Graphic Designer" in English is the equivalent, both meaning the same thing. To hold the title of Graphic Designer, one must go through education.
CMYK Color Codes
In today's context, those who inquire about what CMYK (color space) is will encounter the combination of the words Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key. These colors are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Printing processes are carried out using these primary colors. CMYK, the most crucial element in printing technology, enables color printing processes. The primary colors are blue, yellow, and red. By manipulating these colors, the formation of other colors can be achieved. Note that the letter 'K' in CMYK does not stand for black; instead, it stands for "key" and is used as a key color. Therefore, a good designer must know what a color space is. In design work, it is essential to rely on the three primary colors for printing.
How is CMYK Printing Done?
Printing work using the primary colors involves layering the primary colors on top of each other. Designers need to work on these colors because the formation of secondary colors requires the mixing of primary colors. A good designer avoids relying heavily on black in printing work, as working with black is more error-prone.
What is Pantone?
Pantone Colour Formula Guide 2058[1] is a color catalog containing tire colors and providing mixing formulas for obtaining each color in the offset printing system. It shows these colors in both coated and uncoated versions. When expressing Pantone colors, the color number is followed by the letters U and C to indicate whether the color is selected from the matte or glossy section. Each Pantone color has a corresponding number, and the formula is written below each color. The formula is given in both percentage and measurement; the percentage value is completed to 100% by combining the primary colors in the mixture, while the measurement value gives the percentage value when the unit measurement values are divided. Pantone colors are not created with the logic of CMYK in printing. They can be used additionally or alone in printing. Pantone colors are particularly preferred in corporate identity work where color change is not desired. They can be defined as the common universal language of colors.
