Design Basics - Canva Certified Creative

Key Concepts

• Understanding Color Theory
• Mastering Typography

Understanding Color Theory

Color theory is the foundation of any design. It involves the selection and coordination of colors to create aesthetically pleasing and harmonious compositions. Key aspects include:

• Color Wheel: A circular diagram showing the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. For example, blue and yellow combine to form green.
• Color Harmony: The principle of combining colors that work well together. Analogous colors (colors next to each other on the color wheel) like red, orange, and yellow create a warm, cohesive look.
• Color Context: The way colors interact with each other. For instance, a blue background can make a yellow text stand out, creating contrast and readability.

Think of color theory as the paint palette of an artist. Just as a painter chooses colors to evoke emotions, a designer uses color to convey messages and set moods.

Mastering Typography

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing. Key elements include:

• Font Selection: Choosing the right font for your design. Serif fonts like Times New Roman are traditional and formal, while sans-serif fonts like Arial are modern and clean.
• Hierarchy: Establishing a clear order of importance in your text. Using larger font sizes and bold styles for headings and smaller, lighter fonts for body text helps guide the reader's eye.
• Alignment: The arrangement of text within a layout. Left alignment is common for readability, while centered text can create a formal or artistic feel.

Consider typography as the voice of your design. Just as different voices convey different messages, different fonts and text arrangements can evoke various emotions and convey specific tones.