3 Tools To Learn Graphic Design

Empower Others With Design Skills, And They'll Create Captivating Visuals For A Lifetime.

At Ape Forge, we have a passion for supporting local business owners and helping them grow with creative solutions. We believe that great design can make a tremendous difference in the success of a business. That's why we not only provide top-notch creative services but also encourage others to learn design and the tools needed to create exceptional design work. The "Teach A Man To Fish" mentality.

We understand that not every business owner has the luxury to hire a full-time designer, but we firmly believe that anyone can learn the basics of design and use the necessary tools to create eye-catching visuals. Whether it's graphic design, branding, website development, or app design, we want to empower individuals to unleash their creative potential.

​At Ape Forge, we offer resources and guidance to help individuals learn the art of design. Through workshops, tutorials, and online resources, we ensure that aspiring designers have access to the tools and knowledge they need to make a difference in their business or personal projects. Below we highlight some of our favorite free tools available online!

Master The Pen TOol

Understanding what a Bézier curve is and how to use it is crucial for graphic designers, especially when working with the Pen Tool in vector graphics.
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Here are some reasons why:

1. Precise control: Bézier curves allow graphic designers to have precise control over the shape and path of a line or a curve. By manipulating anchor points and handles, designers can create smooth, curved paths that align perfectly with their vision.
2. Scalability: Vector graphics are resolution-independent, meaning they can be scaled to any size without losing quality. Bézier curves ensure that the edges of shapes remain smooth and well-defined, regardless of the scaling applied. This is particularly important for logos, illustrations, and designs that will be used across different mediums and sizes.
3. Versatility: Bézier curves enable designers to create a wide range of shapes and forms, from simple lines and curves to complex shapes and objects. The Pen Tool, which relies heavily on Bézier curves, allows for the creation of custom paths with complete flexibility, which is essential for creating unique and customized designs.
4. Efficiency: Once designers become proficient in using Bézier curves, they can efficiently create and edit vector paths. By understanding how to manipulate anchor points and handles, designers can quickly make adjustments to shapes and paths, saving time and effort in the design process.
5. Consistency: Bézier curves help maintain consistency in the design by providing precise control over the shape and proportions of elements. This is particularly important when creating symmetrical or repeating patterns, where even the slightest deviation can be noticeable.

Overall, a strong understanding of Bézier curves empowers graphic designers to have full control over the creation and manipulation of vector paths, ensuring accuracy, precision, and consistency in their designs.

Use the Bezier Game by Method of Action to learn how to use the pen tool!

Bezier Game

Master Color Matching

Understanding color matching is crucial in graphic design as it directly affects the overall visual impact and effectiveness of a design.

Here are some reasons why color matching is important:

1. Consistency and Branding: Color matching ensures consistency in your design materials, including logos, marketing collateral, website, and social media posts. Consistent use of colors helps establish and reinforce brand identity, making it easier for customers to recognize and remember your brand.
2. Emotional Impact: Different colors evoke specific emotions and can influence how people perceive your brand or message. For example, warm colors like red and orange can create a sense of excitement or urgency, while cool colors like blue and green can evoke a calming or refreshing effect. Understanding color matching allows you to choose the right colors to convey the desired emotions and enhance the overall message.
3. Visual Hierarchy and Organization: Effective color matching helps create a visual hierarchy within a design. By strategically using contrasting colors or shades, you can guide the viewer's attention to important elements or information. This improves the overall user experience and ensures that the key messages are communicated effectively.
4. Accessibility and Legibility: Poor color matching can negatively impact the readability of text or other graphic elements. It is essential to consider color contrast and legibility, particularly for individuals with color vision deficiencies or visual impairments. Understanding color matching allows you to select color combinations that meet accessibility standards and ensure equal access to information.
5. Different Media and Print Materials: Color matching is critical when designing for various mediums such as print, web, or mobile screens. Colors may appear differently depending on the output method and devices used. Ensuring proper color matching guarantees that your design looks consistent and accurate across different platforms.

In conclusion, understanding color matching is vital for effective graphic design. It helps maintain consistency, communicate emotions, guide visual hierarchy, improve accessibility, and ensure a consistent visual experience across different mediums.

​Use the Color Matching game to practice your color matching genius!

Color matching Game

Master Letterspacing 

Kerning is a crucial aspect of graphic design that deals with the spacing between individual characters in a written text. It involves adjusting the space between letters to improve the visual appeal and legibility of the overall design.

Here are some reasons why kerning is important:

1. Visual Harmony: Kerning ensures that the spacing between letters is visually balanced and consistent. It helps create a harmonious flow of text, making it easier for viewers to read and comprehend the message.
2. Legibility and Readability: Proper kerning enhances the legibility of text by ensuring that letters do not overlap or appear too distant from each other. It prevents confusion, making it easier for readers to identify and understand each character.
3. Professionalism and Credibility: Well-kerned typography reflects a high level of professionalism and attention to detail. When text appears evenly spaced and visually appealing, it adds credibility to the design and the brand it represents.
4. Brand Identity: Kerning plays a significant role in establishing and maintaining a brand's identity. Consistent and well-kerned typography across various marketing materials, such as logos, websites, and advertisements, helps reinforce brand recognition and consistency.
5. Aesthetic Appeal: Kerning contributes to the overall aesthetics of a design. By adjusting the space between letters, a designer can create visually appealing compositions that draw attention and leave a lasting impression on viewers.
6. Emotional Impact: Kerning can also affect the emotional impact of a design. It can evoke different emotions based on the spacing between letters – tight kerning may convey a sense of urgency or intensity, while looser kerning can give a more relaxed or elegant feel.

Kerning is vital in graphic design to ensure visual harmony, legibility, professionalism, brand identity, aesthetic appeal, and emotional impact. It is an essential skill that designers employ to create visually pleasing and effective designs.

​Use Kern Type to try your hand at letter spacing!

Kern Type

By supporting local business owners and encouraging others to learn design, we aim to foster a community of creativity and innovation. We believe that when small businesses succeed, the entire community benefits.

Go forth and forge a path to success through beautiful design, empowering individuals to create their own stunning visuals and bring their ideas to life.