Graphic Design Glossary

My name is Livia. I am a student in the graphic design program at Cegep de Sherbrooke since more than 1 year. This glossary is for graphic design students. It explains common words used in design and visual communication.

logo: noun; A symbol or other design adopted by an organization to identify its products, uniform, vehicles, etc.; Example: Consumers looking through the magazines' pages and seeing the LOGO they just remind themselves to go shopping for cloths at H&M To make the process easy for them the advert is constructed the way that no bright cloths appear on it, so that they contrast very well with red H&M LOGO.; fr: logo
designer: noun; A person who plans the form or structure of something before it is made, by preparing drawings or plans.; Example: In the future the DESIGNER should pay more attention to the text on the images.; fr: créateur
typography: noun; The art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable and appealing when displayed.; Example: This particular TYPOGRAPHY represents the image of a tear.; fr: typographie
pictogram: noun; Uses pictures or symbols to represent data or information.; Example: We need to design a clear PICTOGRAM for the 'exit' sign.; fr: pictogramme
visual identity: noun; The collection of all the graphic elements (logo, colors, fonts, images) that represent a brand, company, or person, creating a consistent, recognizable, and unique look that communicates its personality, values, and story across all platforms, building trust and connection with an audience.; Example: The marketing team developed a new VISUAL IDENTITY to modernize the brand’s image and appeal to a younger demographic.; fr: identité visuelle
prototype: noun; A first, typical or preliminary model of something, especially a machine, from which other forms are developed or copied.; Example: The UI team developed a clickable PROTOTYPE in Figma to demonstrate the app's user flow and interaction design.; fr: prototype
retouching: verb; The process of enhancing images by removing imperfections, smoothing skin and adjusting minor details to create a polished look.; Example: The client requested heavy retouching on the portrait to smooth skin tones and remove distractions in the background. (google); fr: retouche
creativity: noun; The ability to generate, produce, or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that are both novel (original) and valuable (useful, effective, or appropriate) It involves using imagination to solve problems, communicate, or create something new.; Example: She brought immense creativity to the project, turning a simple logo into a full brand identity / The portfolio showcased a high level of creativity in the use of typography and color palettes. (google); fr: créativité
message: noun; A unit of communication that conveys information from a sender to a receiver.; Example: The designer used high-contrast colors to make the campaign's message pop. (google); fr: message
visual hierarchy: noun; Arranging design elements (text, images, colors) by importance to guide a viewer's eye, telling them what to look at first, second, and so on, creating a clear path for understanding and reducing confusion, often using size, color, contrast, and spacing.; Example: I used visual hierarchy to emphasize the headline and guide users naturally toward the call to action. (google); fr: hiérarchie visuelle
concept: noun; Something conceived in the mind.; Example: With goods such as these the CONCEPT and type of packaging is somewhat different.; fr: concept
texture: noun; The way a surface feels or is perceived to feel.; Example: Designers use visual texture to create the illusion of touch and enrich flat surfaces.; fr: texture
laptop: noun; A portable computer that is small and light enough to rest on the user's lap, usually having a hinged screen that closes over the keyboard when not in use. (google); Example: I need a high-performance laptop with a color-accurate screen for my graphic design projects.; fr: ordinateur portable
moodboard: noun; A type of visual presentation or 'collage' consisting of images, text, and samples of objects in a composition.; Example: We created a moodboard to define the visual direction of the project. (google); fr: tableau d'inspiration
creative brief: noun; A foundational document that outlines the goals, strategy, and requirements for a creative project.; Example: A clear creative brief helps the design team stay aligned. (google); fr: brief créatif
color: noun; The aspect of any object that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation.; Example: Color can communicate emotions and meaning. (google); fr: couleur
art direction: noun; The overall management of a creative project's visual style, leading a team of artists and designers to realize a unified concept that effectively communicates a message, mood, or story, overseeing elements like color, photography, layout, and composition to create a cohesive visual experience.; Example: The art direction of this project carefully combines color, typography, and imagery to create a cohesive visual identity that communicates the brand’s values and appeals to its target audience. (google); fr: direction artistique
style guide: noun; A set of rules and standards for writing, formatting, and designing documents to ensure consistency, clarity, and brand identity across all communications.; Example: Following the style guide helped the freelance designer match the company’s existing visual identity perfectly. (google); fr: guide de style
pixel: noun; One of the small dots or squares that make up an image on a computer screen.; Example: When you zoom in, you can see the individual pixels of the photo. (google); fr: pixel
resolution: noun; The number of pixels displayed on the screen that make up the quality of the image you see.; Example: A higher resolution makes details pop in digital designs. (google); fr: résolution
sketches: noun; A simply or hastily executed drawing or painting, especially a preliminary one, giving the essential features without the details.; Example: These initial sketches show the layout concept for the new website. (google); fr: croquis