Graphic Design for Print and Screen

• Write the goal, audience, message, size and deadline of the job in five lines.
• Ask the client three questions: who sees it, where, and what should they do next.
• Collect three examples of similar work and note what works in each.
• Agree what is in scope and how many rounds of changes are included.

Activity. Turn a vague request into a one-page brief and get the client to confirm it.

Standard to meet. State goal, audience, size, deadline and one action in the brief, and obtain the client's approval.

• Choose one main message and make it the largest item, about twice the size of the next level.
• Use three levels only: headline, support text and detail.
• Group related items close together and leave more space between groups.
• Test by squinting: the main message must still be seen first.

Activity. Design one flyer and run the squint test with three people.

Standard to meet. Show that three of three viewers name the main message first within five seconds.

• Pick two typefaces at most: one for headings and one for body text.
• Set body text at 9 to 11 points in print and at least 16 pixels on screen.
• Set line spacing at about 1.4 times the text size and keep lines near 45 to 75 characters.
• Align text consistently and avoid all capitals for long text.

Activity. Set a one-page article with a heading, subheading and three paragraphs.

Standard to meet. Type uses two faces, correct sizes and line length within 45 to 75 characters.

• Build a palette of one main colour, one support colour and one neutral, plus black or white.
• Check text against background using a contrast ratio tool; body text needs at least 4.5 to 1.
• Do not rely on colour alone to show meaning; add a label or shape.
• Remember that screens use red, green and blue while print uses cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Activity. Build a three-colour palette and test five text and background pairs.

Standard to meet. Score all body text pairs at 4.5 to 1 or higher and record the results.

• Set margins first, for example 12 mm on all sides for a print page.
• Divide the page into a grid of 4 or 6 columns and snap items to it.
• Use spacing in steps, for example 8, 16 and 32 pixels, and repeat them.
• Align edges so that the eye finds clear lines.

Activity. Redo a messy layout on a grid and compare before and after.

Standard to meet. Align all items to the grid and use no more than three set values for spacing.

• Sketch at least 20 small ideas on paper before using the computer.
• Draw the logo as vectors so it can scale from a small stamp to a large board.
• Make versions in full colour, one colour, black and white, and reversed.
• Write a one-page guide with colours as codes, fonts, minimum size and clear space.

Activity. Create a logo and a one-page brand guide for a practice business.

Standard to meet. Test that the logo reads at 20 mm, create four versions, and list codes, fonts and clear space in the guide.

• Set print files at 300 pixels per inch with 3 mm bleed and keep text 5 mm inside the trim.
• Export screen files as compressed images or vectors sized to where they will appear.
• Convert text to outlines or embed fonts when sending files to a printer.
• Name files by project, size and version and keep an editable master.

Activity. Prepare one print file and one screen file from the same design.

Standard to meet. Print file has bleed and correct resolution; screen file is the right size and under the size limit set.

• Write a brief and build a logo, palette and type pairing for a practice client.
• Design a poster, a social post and a one-page flyer from the same kit.
• Test contrast, sizes and alignment and record the results in a checklist.
• Export print and screen files and present the work with reasons for each choice.

Activity. Present the kit to the client and revise once.

Standard to meet. Match designs to the brief, record the checks, and confirm that files open and print correctly.

Spot and name 5 type, colour and layout choices in 3 everyday signs.

Speaker notes. Teacher shows signs and asks what works. Covered in module 1.

Explain hierarchy, contrast and grid in plain words, with 3 annotated examples.

Speaker notes. Learner marks the first, second and third thing the eye sees. Covered in module 2.

Copy a simple layout and improve it in 3 stated ways with guidance.

Speaker notes. Teacher compares before and after versions. Covered in module 5, Grid, spacing and alignment.

Design a poster and 2 social posts from a brief alone, with text readable at a contrast ratio of at least 4.5.

Speaker notes. Teacher checks the contrast value and brief match. Covered in module 8, Capstone: brand kit and three layouts.

Build a brand kit with logo, 3 colours and 2 fonts, and manage 2 clients on a schedule.

Speaker notes. Teacher reviews the kit and schedule. Check local rules with an expert for font and image licences.

Lead a team of 3 and set a 10-point quality check applied to every file before sending.

Speaker notes. Teacher runs the check on one print file.

Set design standards with a style guide and train 5 designers to pass a check.

Speaker notes. Teacher tests the guide on a new brief.