50 Totally Free Lessons in Graphic Design Theory

Apr 2nd in Web Roundups by Danny Outlaw

While many of us can create something that looks good in Photoshop or attractive when spliced into CSS, but do we actually understand the design theory behind what we create? Theory is the missing link for many un-trained but otherwise talented designers. Here are 50 excellent graphic design theory lessons to help you understand the 'Whys', not just the 'Hows'.

PG

Author: Danny Outlaw

Danny Outlaw is best known for his work at Outlaw Design Blog. Aside from blogging, he also works full time as a Wordpress designer. Danny has freelanced from all over the world and is working on a book and website in which he will share his experience about Freelancing Abroad. Danny also has an unhealthy obsession with toys, LOST, and Sharpie markers.

    Typography

  • 1. Typography, Part 1

    "Good typography depends on the visual contrast between one font and another, and the contrast between text blocks and the surrounding empty space."

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  • 2. Five simple steps to better typography

    "The kind of typography I'm talking about is not your typical "What font should I use" typography but rather your "knowing your hanging punctuation from your em-dash" typography."

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  • 3. Typography tips for graphic design students

    "What basic typographic advice would you give a third year graphic design student? I read the comments with great interest and here I’ve picked out a few of the most useful typography tips."

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  • 4. Typeface Terminology

    "An extensive collection of terms and definitions that relate to typography."

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  • 5. How do I choose paring fonts ?

    "It really does boil down to a judgment call. Usually, pairing type is done to create contrast, so, as DavidR points out, a good general rule is to not pick two fonts that are so similar they can be confused for each other at a glance."

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  • 6. Learning About Type

    "There are quite a few terms thrown around with regards to typography. Hopefully this article will help you understand more about the world of typography."

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  • 7. A Guide to Web Typography

    "Today we’re going to talk about web typography in terms of a recipe of four fundamental ingredients. If you’ve ever tried to cook a soufflé, you’ll know how important the recipe is. Follow this recipe and your typography will rise up like…that’s enough of the culinary metaphors, let’s cook."

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  • 8. On Choosing a Type

    "Fundamentally, the responsibility we bear is two-fold: first we owe it to the reader not to hinder their reading pleasure, but to aid it; second, we owe a responsibility to the typeface or typefaces we employ."

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  • 9. Who shot the serif?

    "Well, what you will discover, is that learning just a little about the terminology will help you to have a greater appreciation for type; it will also help you to identify different typefaces and fonts — and that in turn will help you make better, more informed choices about the fonts you use."

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  • 10. Master Web Typography: 8 Detailed Typography Tips for the Web

    "One of the most under–rated elements of beautiful Web design is the subtle art of typography. Part of this, I know, is a lack of a solid font support for Web sites. But never fear! Today I’ll show you some quick things you can do to appear to be a type master."

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Grid Based Design

  • 11. Designing With a Grid Based Approach

    "The main idea behind grid-based designs is a solid visual and structural balance of web-sites you can create with them."

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  • 12. Columns and Grids

    "One of the larger problems in working with grids in web pages is that you often can’t do much about vertical proportions. Often your content is dynamic, so the best you can do is approximate."

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  • 13. The Grid: The Structure of Design

    "Using a grid is one of those basic design principles. Most news designers are working with a grid someone else designed. No matter what you think about it, you need to understand how to use it."

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  • 14. Feeling your way around grids

    "Grids have long been used by designers to aid and measure composition; to create a framework with which to construct the design."

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  • 15. Grid Based Layouts

    "A grid is a technique that comes from print design but easily be applied to web design as well. In its strictest form a grid is literally a grid of X by Y pixels."

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  • 16. Five simple steps to designing grid systems

    "There are quite a few terms thrown around with regards to typography. Hopefully this article will help you understand more about the world of typography."

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  • 17. Grids: Order Out of Chaos

    "Many of the pages that you see everyday have a grid. You may not see it but it is there, holding up the design, establishing structure, guiding the page elements."

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  • 18. Grid Based Design 101

    "Designers of all types (web, print, etc.) are constantly facing issues involving the structure of their designs. Web designers are increasingly turning to grids to control the structure of web pages, and grids have long been used extensively in other design mediums."

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  • 19. Grid-Based Design: Six Creative Column Techniques

    "Grid systems bring visual structure and balance to site design. As a tool grids are useful for organizing and presenting information. Used properly, they can enhance the user experience by creating predictable patterns for users to follow."

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  • 20. Seven Smooth Steps to Superb Grids

    "While grid design is a simple concept, there are now so many tools and ways of doing it that it might get confusing for newcomers. So here is my way of doing things, i.e. how I would explain grid design to someone who’s never heard about it."

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Color Theory

  • 1. Color Theory

    "Color theory encompasses a multitude of definitions, concepts and design applications. All the information would fill several encyclopedias. As an introduction, here are a few basic concepts."

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  • 22. Color Theory: Overview

    "If you are involved in the creation or design of visual documents, an understanding of color will help when incorporating it into your own designs."

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  • 23. Color Theory: A brief tutorial

    "Color can be a touchy subject. Sometimes artists use colors that evoke certain emotions. Other times artists use colors simply because they like the way they look."

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  • 24. Basic color schemes - Introduction to Color Theory

    "With colors you can set a mood, attract attention, or make a statement. You can use color to energize, or to cool down. By selecting the right color scheme, you can create an ambiance of elegance, warmth or tranquility, or you can convey an image of playful youthfulness."

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  • 25. Color Wheel Pro - See Color Theory in Action

    "Color Theory is a set of principles used to create harmonious color combinations. Color relationships can be visually represented with a color wheel — the color spectrum wrapped onto a circle."

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  • 26. Color Psychology

    "Colors often have different meanings in various cultures. And even in Western societies, the meanings of various colors have changed over the years. But today in the U.S., researchers have generally found the following to be accurate."

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  • 27. How Colors Impact Moods, Feelings, and Behaviors

    "While perceptions of color are somewhat subjective, there are some color effects that have universal meaning."

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  • 28. Information Applied To Graphic Design: Color Psychology

    "Applied to web design, color psychology could offer a thermal map; an informative alternative to featureless blog calendars of archived entries."

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  • 29. How does color effect us?

    "Color is light and light is energy. Scientists have found that actual physiological changes take place in human beings when they are exposed to certain colors. Colors can stimulate, excite, depress, tranquilize, increase appetite and create a feeling of warmth or coolness."

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  • 30. Color Psychology in Marketing

    "Colors not only enhance the appearance of the item -- they also influence our behavior. You will do well to consider the impact that the colors you use will have on your target audience."

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Design Theory

  • 31. Principles of Design

    "The principles of design suggest effective and pleasing ways to arrange text and graphics on the page as well as the arrangement of individual elements within illustration, logos, and the overall graphic design of a document."

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  • 32. Graphic Design Basics

    "Get a better understanding of the basics of graphic design by studying the elements and principles of graphic design that govern effective design and page layout."

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  • 33. The Basics of Graphic Design

    "Graphic design is the process of creating the appearance of a publication, presentation, or web site in an attractive, logical manner."

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  • 34. Want to know how to design? Learn The Basics.

    "The basic elements of design include colour, line, shape, scale, space, texture and value and these are the fundamental pieces that make up any piece of work."

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  • 35. Approaching Graphic Design

    "Basic design elements such as the rule of thirds, graphical composition and the weight of these graphical components is very important. On top of that, throw colour into the equation and things can start to get very tricky."

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  • 36. Graphic Design Fundamentals

    "If you can master these fundamental concepts, your graphical treatments — from PowerPoint slides to Microsoft Word documents to company brochures — will greatly improve."

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  • 37. Get Some Hierarchy in Your Design

    "Design hierarchy is all about the importance of visual information and giving it assigning levels of importance to make the message of the design get across."

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  • 38. Graphic Fundamentals, 1. The Big Punch

    "Many of the underlying principles behind graphic design have been bypassed and the results are not as potent as they could be. In this short series, I want to help to fill-in some of those gaps and provide a better understanding of what it's all about."

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  • 39. The History of Graphic Design and Its Audiences

    "To insist that, or to prescribe how, the history of graphic design need be taught in any particular way is to unnecessarily limit the field in both methodology and pedagogy."

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  • 40. In Search of Ethics in Graphic Design

    "I envision this text as an addition to the AIGA’s existing publication on ethics, which currently includes sections concerning our responsibilities to the profession and our clients."

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UI & Usability

  • 41. Call to Action Buttons

    "The call-to-action button is an important tool in the user experience designer’s box of tricks. In this article I’ll give you a few pointers on providing effective ones."

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  • 42. Complete Beginner’s Guide to Information Architecture

    "The kind of typography I'm talking about is not your typical "What font should I use" typography but rather your "knowing your hanging punctuation from your em-dash" typography."

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  • 43. A Few Lessons From Real World Usability

    "We interact with so many objects during our day that we often don’t notice that someone actually stopped to thing about how we were going to use items."

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  • 44. 12 Useful Techniques For Good User Interface Design

    "Among other things, we highlighted embedded video blocks, specialized controls and context-sensitive navigation. We also encouraged designers to disable pressed buttons, use shadows around modal windows and link to the sign-up page from the log-in page."

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  • 45. 10 Useful Techniques To Improve Your User Interface Designs

    "Web design consists, for the most part, of interface design. There are many techniques involved in crafting beautiful and functional interfaces."

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  • 46. Investing in UX

    "We wanted to test a hypothesis that companies who focus on UX will see it reflected in their stock price. The premise was to invest $5,000 in each company and hold the stock for 1 year."

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  • 47. The Layers of Design: the style layer

    "It’s a process in which each layer addresses specific design needs related to client aims, brand characteristics and site user habits and expectations."

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  • 48. Evangelizing UX Across an Entire Organization

    "This edition of Ask UXmatters discusses how to communicate and sell the UX message across all levels of an organization. Our experts share what strategies and tactics for evangelizing UX have worked for them."

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  • 49. Closing the Usability Age Gap

    "In this post, we discuss some of the things the separate Generation Y from older generations, and how we can create a great user experience for both demographics."

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  • 50. Increasing Usability with User Feedback

    "This post suggests some ways to improve your site's usability based off of user feedback. These methods and programs will help you gather and act on user feedback."

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User Comments

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  1. PG

    Alvaro April 2nd

    awesome list! thanks!

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    1. PG

      lawrence77 April 2nd

      Tutorial is a myth here in PSDTUTS….. :(

      Watch out guys you are popular only by your(quality best)tuts not by your articles…. Already you lose 20000+ readers in Feeds!

      Anyway nice article worth reading ;)

      ( Reply )
      1. PG

        Johnson Koh April 3rd

        Actually I do like to read round-ups once awhile because there are many good articles that I will miss.

        As for the drop in the Feeds readers, I may have an explanation over http://10steps.sg/articles/sudden-drop-of-subscribers-in-feedburner/

        Could be a glitch in the FB…

      2. PG

        Pristine April 3rd

        Johnson, while it may be true that the drop in readers is just a Feedburner glitch, do you not agree that ever since Collis left, the tutorials were mostly quite bland? In fact, I received a 3 month subscription (from November to January) for my birthday and other than looking at old fantastic tutorials, I had little use for it. It seems now that PSDtuts working towards higher quality again, but slowly and only sometimes.

      3. PG

        lawrence77 April 3rd

        I agree 1000% with Pristine…….
        Come back collis….. ;)
        And take tuts to up, continue ur water, fire series….
        we and PSDTUTS needs u! :)

      4. PG

        Elliot April 7th

        I agree with you Lawrence. I find most of these links shallow and content-less. For example, the link on pairing fonts. It’s a forum thread with 10 posts (it’s funny to see that the last comment is mine). Come on…
        And yes, Collis tutorials were great.

  2. PG

    Henri April 2nd

    This is very useful, Thank You !

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  3. PG

    iseethings April 2nd

    this is very much needed!

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  4. PG

    Sinoun April 2nd

    This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I know this sort of information is widely available, but I just haven’t had the time to sift through the myriad of sites out there. Thanks for organizing everything in one place. Definitely a useful read for me. Great work!

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  5. PG

    Christian Tobler April 2nd

    Very well put together… Thanks!

    I love the theories sections in the article. Grid based, type face, and color theory are all very important factors that need to be discussed more outside the classroom.

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    mostafa April 2nd

    just wat i was looking for .. thanks

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  7. PG

    Mike April 2nd

    Superb resource! Thanks very much!

    Now if I can just find time to read them all… :)

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  8. PG

    Steve April 2nd

    It’s about time one of these tutorial sites put a list like this together! The increase in self-taught graphic designers is great, I’m all for it, but these people need to realise that photoshop is just a tool, much like a paint brush to a traditional artist. You need to step away from it for a while and learn about design theory, not just spend all your time learning what filters and blending modes do! If new designers don’t take the time to at least get a basic grounding in design theory then we risk having a future where quality graphic design is hard to come by!

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    1. This is a great roundup, Danny. I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Steve here that design education/theory is what we really need to get across to people and it’s about a whole lot more than pretty pictures (though they certainly add professional polish!).

      Can I make a mention of Creative Curio? Pretty much all I write about is design theory and I’m sad none of my articles were listed :( <– see? Sad! I have quite a number of articles on the Elements of Design and Principles of Design. It would be wonderful if you could add at least one of my articles to your list! :)

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    2. PG

      jeprie November 13th

      Yap. I’m a good photoshopper but not good with design. I need this just as i need all those tuts.

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  9. PG

    Seeta April 2nd

    Amazing… this is why psdtuts become a must opened website every time i connect with the internet….
    Thank you so much Danny

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    germanoaep April 2nd

    I think that these informations are very useful and more important that a lot of tutorials, because this is the basics, and with the basics you can do other things that only go through the steps like a monkey.
    Thanks for put this links together.

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  11. PG

    ddz April 2nd

    this list kicked ass
    love theory!

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  12. PG

    Andris April 2nd

    So many things to learn but only so little time. Thanx for the list. Will come back to this for sure.

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  13. PG

    Gareth April 2nd

    This has to be the most helpful post I have read on this site yet! Thanks!!!

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  14. PG

    Sammo April 2nd

    Absolutely fantastic. I’m currently studying Graphic Design at University and many of these articles will come in handy. For my own resource, but also to fill out my research folders for projects.

    Thanks.

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    Diego SA April 2nd

    Incredible! The Color Theory stuff is the most interesting part. Thank u!

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    1. PG

      Adam April 2nd

      Every one here should check out Adobe Kuler if you are need help with color theory. It has made my job easier and you can download your swatches into the Adobe suite. VERY helpful.

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      1. PG

        seansteezy April 3rd

        you should check out http://colorschemedesigner.com/

        way better than adobe kuler and even has multiple color blind simulations. so much better than kuler, and i was a big fan of kuler before I saw this…

      2. PG

        Diego SA April 16th

        Thanks a lot guys! I know the Adobe Kuler but I’ve never tried using it! And surely I’ll visit this website, seansteezy. Thanks again!

      3. PG

        beattz July 21st

        I also like http://www.colourlovers.com/
        It has a nice community aspect to it.

  16. PG

    Samuel Pushpak April 2nd

    Man! Lots of healthy food to digest!!

    ( Reply )
  17. PG

    snnaqvi April 2nd

    Great stuff.

    ( Reply )
  18. PG

    MisterBremer April 2nd

    Nice list… I think when you guys make lists or roundups, your “visit” links should open in a new tab. I always click around on the new site I get linked too, and it would be so much easier to click back by tab then retyping or clicking the back button a ton of times. Just a small gripe.

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Mike April 2nd

      Why don’t you just right click on the link and open it in a new tab yourself?

      ( Reply )
      1. PG

        lawrence77 April 2nd

        Hey man just click the link using ctrl+click…….
        It will open up automatically in a new tab! ;)

        Enjoy reading! :)

      2. PG

        Adee April 3rd

        or even center mouse button ;-)

      3. PG

        jeprie November 13th

        couldn’t you make more clever comment

    2. PG

      lawrence77 April 2nd

      http://www.tinyurl.com/laranz

      Visit this link for more shortcuts! ;)

      ( Reply )
  19. PG

    Jason April 2nd

    You can never learn too much. This is something I have been really looking for. Great compilation. Thanks for posting!

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  20. PG

    javiinthezone April 2nd

    interesting

    ( Reply )
  21. PG

    iseethings April 2nd

    this is what i have been looking for! great

    ( Reply )
  22. PG

    Kevin April 2nd

    I’ve been looking for info on CSS Grids…great compilation! The others are extra bonuses!!!

    Thanks!

    ( Reply )
  23. PG

    Jimi April 2nd

    WOW! This is exactly what I need. Hopefully I’ll have the time to visit a few. Thanks!

    ( Reply )
  24. PG

    Stryker April 2nd

    great list, bookmarked 4 sure

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Liam McCabe April 2nd

      same here :)

      ( Reply )
  25. PG

    veeveegee April 2nd

    Several weeks ago I discovered a site called 99 Designs which hosts contest for Graphic Artists. I decided that I wanted to be a graphic designer. I have very little experience as a graphic designer and even less knowledge of the basics of designing. I don’t know what made me think I could master this field. Still, I’ve given myself until June 1 to do so. My prospects were really looking kind of dismal until I stumbled upon your 50 Totally Free Lessons in Graphic Design Theory. Because of You I believe I can report that a Graphic Artist has been born. Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Anthony April 16th

      No offense but graphic design is NOT something you can “MASTER” in a few months or even over a year…..its a life long task my friend. so if you think is gonna come that which you are up for some disappointment. well unless you want to design business cards and letter heads for family members and friends for the rest of you life.

      ( Reply )
  26. PG

    MATT. April 2nd

    An article like that was really missing.

    GREAT JOB.

    ( Reply )
  27. PG

    conviuzd April 2nd

    nice!
    Thanks a lot

    I’m waiting now for best free lessons about coding:)
    php/ajax/js xhtml/css :)

    ( Reply )
  28. PG

    Georger April 2nd

    That’s a great list! I’m a coder and I have no clue about graphic design at all. But your list gives me a great starting point!

    ( Reply )
  29. PG

    jacci April 2nd

    Spotted this list in a tweet by @electronsws… so glad to see it. I actually have 3 of my tutorials in this list. Cool. Much appreciated and great to be in such good company. Some nice stuff in this list.

    ( Reply )
  30. PG

    heri April 2nd

    Very good You can never learn too much. This is something I have been really looking for. Great compilation. Thanks for posting!

    ( Reply )

    ( Reply )
  31. PG

    Abdul Akbar April 2nd

    Very well done.
    I was in search of this information. I found many websites but wasn,t able to put all together.
    PSDtuts did that.

    Great job.

    ( Reply )
  32. PG

    kzida April 2nd

    this is great thnx:D

    ( Reply )
  33. PG

    shortshire April 2nd

    This is great and I know I can feel like a student finally enjoying class. Yay

    ( Reply )
  34. PG

    Frank Spencer April 2nd

    That is a very useful resource, thats gonna take some time reading. but its sure worth it. thanks mr. Danny outlaw. :P

    id sure consider buying a membership now. problem is i dont trust any payment methods.:(

    ( Reply )
  35. PG

    Paris Vega April 2nd

    Thanks for the resource. This is a great post to send to design newbs.

    ( Reply )
  36. PG

    v-render April 2nd

    wonderful tutorials ! must see now !

    ( Reply )
  37. PG

    Jun April 2nd

    Thanks for the list, it’s great reference for all of us. :)

    ( Reply )
  38. PG

    Keith April 2nd

    Sweet list, big fan of the site!

    ( Reply )
  39. PG

    Brad April 2nd

    Geez I love yous guys!

    Thankyou!

    - I’m with conviuzd, coding list of tut’s be great.

    ( Reply )
  40. PG

    Andy Gongea April 2nd

    Although I’ve become somehow sick of these type of posts, Danny made a terrific job with this post.

    Thank you for your effort.

    ( Reply )
  41. PG

    Zen Elements April 2nd

    An absolutely invaluable resource! I shall pass this onto some friends who’re studying, as I’m sure they’ll get a great deal out of this. Thanks for sharing!

    Alex | Zen Elements

    ( Reply )
  42. PG

    Braden Keith April 2nd

    Thank you very much for this article! Probably the best non-tutorial article published here.

    ( Reply )
  43. PG

    praeter design April 2nd

    I got flash backs from my college days!

    Great idea for an article – some real world education!

    ( Reply )
  44. PG

    Franky April 2nd

    Yo, what an awesome set of resources.
    I enjoy always going back to these kinds of sites, and comparing them to what our instructors tell or show us. Yikes, this is dope!!!!

    Awesome, I<3 you guys.

    ( Reply )
  45. PG

    yoyo April 2nd

    Thanks for this round up! I’m getting anxious already… I can’t wait for the weekend to come, so that I can dive into this stuff.

    ( Reply )
  46. PG

    Jess April 2nd

    Awesome, guys! Love the change of pace from the “how’s” to the “why’s”. :)

    ( Reply )
  47. PG

    Stuart Thursby April 2nd

    A simply stunning round-up of excellent, excellent resources. A must-see for everyone…ever…

    ( Reply )
  48. PG

    Grafiko April 2nd

    great read. It is always nice to refresh your knowledge.

    ( Reply )
  49. PG

    VertigoSFX April 2nd

    Wow great post. I need this right now i’m starting Typography I next semester!

    ( Reply )
  50. PG

    francisa April 3rd

    good,good,good

    ( Reply )
  51. PG

    Kay April 3rd

    Amazing stuff keep it up
    Peace

    ( Reply )
  52. PG

    inox April 3rd

    amazing, thank you so much!

    Add more content like this and many will pay for it!

    ( Reply )
  53. PG

    fabio April 3rd

    Thanks Very Much!

    ( Reply )
  54. PG

    Daniel April 3rd

    Very usefull BIG list.

    Good job!

    ( Reply )
  55. PG

    Enrique Robledo April 3rd

    Very usefull! Thanks for one excellent compilation.

    ( Reply )
  56. PG

    LeonStrydom April 3rd

    SUPERB! THANK YOU TUTS!!! I have a degree in Graphic Design and this post has revitalized quite a few bits and pieces that i had almost forgotten about

    ( Reply )
  57. PG

    DaveParsons April 3rd

    Excellent job – just what I’ve been looking for…

    Thanks

    ( Reply )
  58. PG

    saurabh shah April 3rd

    awesome list man … !!! All in one package … thanx for sharing .. its valuable…

    ( Reply )
  59. PG

    noel April 3rd

    great list cheers

    ( Reply )
  60. PG

    Nuruzzaman Sheikh April 3rd

    Great.. Keep the good work man.

    ( Reply )
  61. PG

    Claudieko April 3rd

    Hands down the most useful post I’ve ever seen.

    ( Reply )
  62. PG

    Brandt Kurowski April 3rd

    FYI item 42 “Complete Beginner’s Guide to Information Architecture” has a copy of item 2’s description.

    ( Reply )
  63. PG

    Spades April 3rd

    I love you psdtuts

    ( Reply )
  64. Amazing!! Thanks so much for this. I’ve been thinking about learning about design theory and thought about taking some classes but this is awesome!! Bookmarked and blogged!

    ( Reply )
  65. PG

    kris April 3rd

    though I agree partly about the quality and availability of tutorials.. I can see the strategy in getting people to sign up for the pay service.

    also, you have to admit guys/gals that these articles are amazing (as a whole). who here has time enough to go back to school while maintaining your current career and most likely a family.

    yeah great job on gathering that data! i look forward to reading.

    ( Reply )
  66. PG

    henry April 3rd

    NICE LIST!!! no need for school with all these links! keep up the awesome work!

    ( Reply )
  67. PG

    GaBRIeL_ai April 3rd

    Very useful list mate, a big thanks for it, i try to read all and use it in my works. The correct Typo and layout is the other 50% part in a good design, the good photoshop skills is only a part of the full.

    ( Reply )
  68. PG

    ims April 3rd

    it is like a full year courses in one post …!!
    thanks really appreciate your efforts ..:)

    ( Reply )
  69. PG

    w1sh April 3rd

    Thank God for this long overdue post. I ruv Envato.

    ( Reply )
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    BigBrother April 4th

    Merci beaucoups c’esst tout simple génial…!!

    ( Reply )
  71. PG

    Joe April 4th

    Very good resource here! Thanks guys.
    The first article is very out of date though; it speaks of html before the use of stylesheets.

    ( Reply )
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    metixxd April 4th

    Excellent job

    Thanks

    ( Reply )
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    mrjacob April 4th

    Much much, More better than school! :)

    Great-Job

    ( Reply )
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    David Airey April 4th

    Hi Danny,

    Thanks for mentioning my typography article. Quite the popular resource you’ve provided here.

    ( Reply )
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    Grafpedia April 4th

    Great resources. Kepp up the good work

    ( Reply )
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    Farid Hadi April 5th

    Oh man.. perfect timing!
    I’m a “developer going designer” and this list is just what I need right now.

    Thanks!

    ( Reply )
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    Robertas April 5th

    Thanks for this post man

    ( Reply )
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    Antonio April 5th

    Thanks!

    ( Reply )
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    Design Jar April 5th

    Great List of tuts.

    Thanks guys!

    ( Reply )
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    BORABORA April 5th

    Amazing collection!
    Thanks for the effort!
    Best wishes

    ( Reply )
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    Violence April 6th

    Realy amazing! Thanks!

    ( Reply )
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    Renato April 6th

    Realy awesome! Thanks!

    ( Reply )
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    mx April 6th

    good

    ( Reply )
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    Sam April 6th

    you guys are the s!@#. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!

    ( Reply )
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    cosmin sandu April 7th

    wow.very nice. thank’s for everything

    ( Reply )
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    James Bridle April 7th

    Thanks for these. The fact that the first article – on good typography – is rendered unreadable by the surrounding flashing gifs, is kind of annoying though…

    ( Reply )
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    Zapp April 7th

    Nice one, was looking for sth like this some time before to put my knowledge in some sort of order =]

    ( Reply )
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    ahmet alp balkan April 7th

    incredibly thanks!!

    ( Reply )
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    tasarhane April 7th

    pretty good resources..
    thanks..

    ( Reply )
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    Elliot April 8th

    Very nice.
    Just wish I had the time to propperly exorb it!

    Bring back Collis!

    ( Reply )
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    Mr. Dies April 8th

    This is an amazing Post. Very good selections. Thanks for putting it up!

    ( Reply )
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    Max April 8th

    YOU ROCK PSD TUTS PEOPLE!

    ( Reply )
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    FARAZ April 9th

    DAMN GOOD STUFF……….. VERY USEFUL……..

    ( Reply )
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    Angger Atmawarin April 9th

    Matur Nuwun. I really appreciate this.

    ( Reply )
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    Ed April 11th

    I’ll have to read this. Nice compilation.
    Btw, you missed the “2″ in “21.” No big deal, I thought I’d let you know.

    ( Reply )
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    macias April 11th

    yee.. great compilation

    ( Reply )
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    you April 12th

    me likee

    ( Reply )
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    sam_khrap April 14th

    nice collection thanks !

    ( Reply )
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    art2code April 14th

    wow! great collection! thx

    ( Reply )
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    Dietmar April 14th

    Wow, great list to enhance the typography! Thanx!

    ( Reply )
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    khalifah April 14th

    WOW.. GREATS INFO…

    nicely… thanks a lot

    ( Reply )
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    James Bull April 14th

    Great resource! Thanks so much!

    ( Reply )
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    Alex C. April 14th

    exellent resource!

    Thanks a lot guys!

    I learned so much from you! Not only psdtuts, but all the tuts family!

    Cheers!

    ( Reply )
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    rtv April 14th

    do we get a Bachelor in Arts diploma after going through every article?

    ( Reply )
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    Marie April 14th

    Just finishing a Graphic Design for Beginners course and this is a great place to pick up from the basic principles they taught us. It may be boring for some of the more experienced out there, but having it all in one spot is a big help for others. Besides – we can Tweet the link and get more coverage for you!

    Thanks for putting together – I know it takes a lot of time and effort to do so and it’s much appreciated!

    Cheers,
    Marie

    ( Reply )
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    Hakan April 16th

    This is simply awesome job! Thank you very much! I stumbled and dugg it!

    ( Reply )
  107. PG

    UTogger April 18th

    It’s always important to think about “the basics.” Thanks for this terrific list.

    ( Reply )
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    Umer April 19th

    What is 48>>>?????? :( !

    ( Reply )
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    TDurant April 24th

    Great stuff thanks a lot

    ( Reply )
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    Robert Dyson April 28th

    Great set of lessons! I recently decided to redesign a couple of sites I made, perfect timing. I need some of those design skills!

    ( Reply )
  111. information wants to be free!

    thank you for sharing this–i’m in college studying art, and this is a huge resource. there are many more who don’t have the time or money for college, and so thank you for them as well. this is truly invaluable.

    ( Reply )
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    Adrian May 1st

    Great list, thanks. That David Airey pic kind of jumps out at you! =)

    ( Reply )
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    rif May 8th

    human creativity has no limits
    thanks Great job.

    ( Reply )
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    Olson Mino May 13th

    Good stuff. This is something I every designer should read. Thanks for posting!

    ( Reply )
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    Guilherme May 16th

    I only hope this doesn’t help estimulating non-graduated (so called) designers to get even more away of a real design graduation school…

    Last we professionals need is more predatory competition… like the neighbor’s nephew who “digs” photoshop.

    ( Reply )
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    e11world May 22nd

    This is totally one of the best resources for anything to do with design. Thank you so very much for this list.

    ( Reply )
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    pyvesdude May 27th

    pretty hot stufff ;)

    ( Reply )
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    pyvesdude May 27th

    WITN3ss The FITn3S$

    yhhs tis is very useful nice one !

    ( Reply )
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    Mauro Carrasco May 29th

    Thanks for sharing this “complete” guide. i have to read now xD

    ( Reply )
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    olajide joseph olawuyi June 2nd

    thanks Dannie, i have been reading ur article and i will keep reading it. its just d perfect guide an artist need. its really doing me good.

    thanks.

    bravo!

    ( Reply )
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    LUIS June 5th

    HI. MY NAME IS LUIS I´M FROM COLOMBIA. I´M NOT SPEAK ENGLISH SO MUCH BUT I TRY IT.
    I WANT TELL YOU THAT I´M NEW IN THIS AREA OF GRAFIC DESING. I´M LOOKING FOR IF WAS POSIBLE THIS PAGE IN ESPANIH. SOMEONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN FIND IT.
    OR HOW I DO TO TRANSLATE THIS PAGE.
    THANK VERY MUCH.
    VERY INTERESTING

    ( Reply )
  122. PG

    Muhammad Ali Faisal June 22nd

    This is very usefull for all now entries. I was searching these type of lessons. Thank you very much for providing these topics. Thanks Again.

    ( Reply )
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    lindamoodbell July 7th

    hi nice article list great work and thanks for u sear this with us

    ( Reply )
  124. PG

    robb July 11th

    quite a long list there.
    i think i’ll just take some of them.
    thx for sharing.

    ( Reply )
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    Javier July 20th

    Hello I´m from Mexico, Thank you for this important information.

    ( Reply )
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    beattz July 21st

    Nice article, but the Visit Lesson link for “37. Get Some Hierarchy in Your Design” leads to a domain squatter site. Is the link wrong, or has the original site been taken down since this article was published? Cheers.

    ( Reply )
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    Ralph July 27th

    Nice List Keep It Up!!!!

    ( Reply )
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    Luis Suárez July 31st

    Excellent! :)

    ( Reply )
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    Matt August 6th

    Great post this would be an incredible resource for someone starting out in graphic design, I will make sure I pass it on to anyone needing the help.

    ( Reply )
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    eDreamer August 11th

    Wow!

    ( Reply )
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    Benjamin Welch August 19th

    I enjoy these lists but honestly, they’re way to long for me. I’m newer to some of these concepts and trying to decide between “Designing With a Grid Based Approach” “Columns and Grids” “The Grid: The Structure of Design” “Feeling your way around grids” “Grid Based Layouts” becomes a daunting task all in it’s own. Which should I look at first? Which one is actually informative and useful and really good?
    I would prefer a much more condensed list of the best of them. I hope that was a helpful comment. The fact that you made this at all is awesome. So thanks.

    ( Reply )
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    sir jorge September 27th

    the last thing we need is for people to think that they can do what professionals are doing well

    ( Reply )
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    Mark Carter October 6th

    Great resources on grid based design … many thanks

    ( Reply )
  134. Some excellent resources here – although I wouldn’t have put usability in with graphic design theory. David Airey’s stuff is always good. I’m pretty sure I saw a good article on a blog somewhere about the Golden Rule, which would be a good addition. I also think symmetry / whitespace articles could have been added – instead of usability

    ( Reply )
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    Jason October 20th

    A great resource for beginners, newbies should take note!

    ( Reply )
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    Design Informer November 12th

    Wow! This is awesome. Thank you so much for this great roundup of Graphic Design Theories.

    Now, if only I had the time to read all of them. :)

    ( Reply )
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    carlos arce November 13th

    this is great, I like it, thanks

    ( Reply )
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    mrak911 November 15th

    This is exactly what I need.Thanks

    ( Reply )
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