The Dialect of Design: A Glossary of Design Terms

Lingo. Jargon. Vernacular. These words describe language that is specific to a particular profession or group. And in the world of graphic design, they are also often the cause of confusion and communication breakdown between designer and client that can lead to disappointment, frustration, and distrust. The best way to avoid these negative situations is through open communication – but how can you communicate with someone when you can’t understand what they’re saying?

Never fear! Caffeinated has your back. We’ve put together a glossary of terms to help you decipher the dialect of design. First up – the definition of words and phrases that you may hear when discussing design & layout with your designer. Future installments will include terms related to colors, graphics & images, branding, and content – so be sure to come back for more!

Design Terms You Should Know

1. Above the Fold
   Traditionally referencing the top half of a newspaper (literally, “above the fold”), the term is now used to describe the section of a webpage one can view without scrolling.
2. Alignment
   How text is positioned on the page: on the left (left-justified), on the right (right justified), or centered. It can also refer to how other graphic elements align vertically and horizontally.
3. Call to Action
   A Call to Action – or CTA – is an instruction to the reader to perform a particular action. Often used in marketing materials and on web pages with active verbs such as “learn more,” “buy now,” or “register today.”
4. Concept
   A design concept refers to the idea behind the design. A graphic designer may develop multiple concepts before moving forward with the best idea.
5. Comp
   Short for “composite,” this is a preliminary sketch or rough mock-up of a design. It may also refer to a low-resolution image that’s temporarily used to test a layout.
6. Drop Shadow
   A shadow that’s placed behind text or an image to add a dimensional effect.
7. Element
   A general term that can reference any piece of a design. “The elements we need include a photo, text block, and a phone number.”
8. Flat Design
   A design trend that flattens dimension by eliminating the use of shading, shadows, and 3D effects.
9. Focal Point
   An element of a design that is intended to draw the eye.
10. Footer
    An area at the bottom of a document or website that contains content common to other pages.
11. Grid
    In graphic design, a grid is a series of horizontal and vertical lines that are used to structure the layout of a page.
12. Header
    An area at the top of a document or website that contains content common to other pages
13. Margins
    Empty space that borders the printed area on a page.
14. Mockup
    A draft rendition of a design that often includes low-resolution images and dummy text.
15. Overlay
    A layer of translucent, or semi-transparent, color that is placed over a photo or other design element.
16. Print-Ready
    A file that meets the specifications for a commercial printer to create a high-resolution print.
17. Pull Quote
    A quotation or piece of content taken from the main text of an article and highlighted as a graphic feature.
18. Scale
    The size of a graphic element in relation to other elements. “Scaling” refers to the act of enlarging or reducing the size of an element.
19. Translucent
    An effect that makes an element or color semi-transparent or see-through.
20. White Space
    Refers to margins and other unused space surrounding an object in a design. White space is an important element in design.

LET’S START A CONVERSATION!

As we said, open communication is the best way to avoid the frustration that can arise from misinterpretation and confusion. So, let’s talk! Schedule a free consultation today.

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