Graphic Design 1 Summary

This module introduces the basics of graphic design and its application in visual communication using words and images. Key topics
include:

1. Graphic Design:
o A form of visual communication that combines images and text to express ideas or messages.
o Examples of graphic design include traffic signs, branding (e.g., Coca-Cola logo), and public relations posters
(e.g., "Keep Calm and Carry On").
2. Digital Image Basics:
o Digital images can be vector (composed of points, lines, and shapes, maintaining quality when scaled) or
raster (composed of pixels, losing quality when scaled).
o Lossy vs Lossless: Compression types—lossless retains all data, while lossy removes some to reduce file
size.
3. Image File Formats:
o JPG/JPEG: Common format for photos; lossy compression.
o GIF: Lossless, supports 256 colors and animation.
o PNG: Lossless, supports 16 million colors.
4. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program):
o A free, open-source software for graphic design.
o Covers installation, basic tools, and concepts such as layers, resolution, selections, and undoing actions.
o Emphasizes the single-window mode for ease of use.
5. Exercise: Birthday Party Invitation:
o Steps to create a simple design, including setting image size, adding colors, inserting pictures (e.g., clipart), and
adding text.
o Saving work in GIMP's native .xcf format for editing, and exporting it as PNG for sharing or printing.
6. Design Tips:
o Keep the target audience in mind, ensure clarity of the message, learn from others, utilize free resources, and
aim for simplicity in design (limit fonts, colors, and elements).

The module covers the process of Web Content Development, which involves planning, creating, and maintaining content for
websites. As of 2016, over 1 billion websites exist, making it challenging to create unique and interesting content. The module
discusses key concepts like web content, which includes text, images, and videos, and web traffic, a measure of a website's
popularity based on visitors and page views.

Web Content Lifecycle:

1. Planning: Identifying the type of content, budget, and deadlines.

2. Creation: Researching, writing, and creating multimedia content.
3. Deployment: Making content accessible across devices and regions.
4. Promotion: Using strategies like social media, paid ads, email marketing, web syndication, and SEO to increase visibility.
5. Maintenance: Updating old content to keep it relevant and engaging.
6. Retirement: Removing outdated content to free up space and maintain website credibility.

Archiving involves preserving content for future reference, and Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress allow users
to manage content collaboratively without needing programming expertise.

WordPress Blog Creation Process:

1. Select a Category: Choose the type of content.

2. Select a Layout: Pick a design layout.
3. Select a Theme: Choose a visual theme for the blog.
4. Domain Name: Pick a unique web address (with ".wordpress.com" for free blogs).
5. Select a Plan: Opt for the free plan.
6. Create an Account: Set up a WordPress account to access the blog and start posting.
This module teaches how to create a website using Weebly, a web-based website builder that requires no coding skills. Key points
include:

1. Website and Web Page Definition: A website is a collection of web pages, and a web page is an electronic document
accessible through the Internet via a web browser.
2. Common Website Components:
o Header: Displays the website’s name and logo.
o Navigation: Allows users to navigate between pages.
o Content Section: Houses the main content like text, images, and videos.
o Contact Section: Provides contact details and a message box.
o Call to Action: Encourages user actions with commands like "Click here."
o About Us: Gives information about the website owner.
o Footer: Contains links to essential info like Terms of Service.
3. Weebly: A tool for building websites using a drag-and-drop interface. It offers themes, layouts, and a user-friendly
dashboard. You can add pages, customize the navigation, and change the website's theme.
4. Website Creation Steps:
o Sign Up: Create an account on Weebly, select a theme, and choose a domain.
o Design Your Website: Use the editor to design your pages by selecting layouts and elements.
o Add Pages: Include pages like Home, About Us, Chapters, References, and Contact Us.
5. Activity:
o Choose a theme.
o Design the home page, and add more pages like Chapters, References, and Activities.
o Add an About Us page and a Contact Us page.

This module focuses on developing presentation skills, with an emphasis on using Prezi for creating presentations. It covers:

1. What is a Presentation?: A presentation is a combination of speaking and visual aids to deliver a topic to an audience.
2. Prezi Overview: Prezi is a web-based presentation tool, available for free with an option for paid services. Free accounts
allow public sharing of presentations, while paid accounts offer privacy options.
3. Creating a Prezi Account: Instructions are provided for signing up, including entering personal details and creating a free
public account.
4. Creating Your First Prezi:
o Log into Prezi and create a new presentation.
o Choose a template or start from scratch.
o Customize content and design elements using the Prezi editor.
5. Prezi Editor Features:
o The top menu includes controls for saving, undoing, and customizing content.
o The transformation tool helps with resizing, rotating, and changing object properties.
o Text boxes can be added anywhere for content.
o Zooming and panning options are available to navigate the canvas.
6. Creating an Effective Presentation:
o Minimize: Avoid overloading the presentation with too many slides. Focus on key points.
o Clarity: Ensure text is large enough to be seen by all audience members.
o Simplicity: Use slides for summaries, not full scripts. Avoid lengthy paragraphs.
o Visuals: Keep designs simple, ensuring animations and colors do not distract.
o Consistency: Use uniform design elements across slides.
o Contrast: Ensure text and background colors contrast well for readability.
7. Final Thoughts: The presentation tool is just one part of delivering a good presentation. The primary focus should be on
effectively communicating ideas to the audience.

This module focuses on collaboration tools, specifically Groupware and Google Drive, for efficient teamwork and information
sharing.

1. Groupware:
o Definition: Groupware refers to programs that enable collaboration among people working towards a common
goal, even if they are in different locations.
 o Types of Groupware:
 Synchronous: Real-time communication tools, including:
 Online Chat: Instant messaging.
 VoIP: Internet-powered phone service (e.g., Skype).
 Videoconferencing: Real-time audio and video communication (e.g., Skype).
 Asynchronous: Communication where the recipient can view information at their convenience, such
as:
 Email: Messages stored in inboxes.
 Online Forums: Message boards for posting and replying.
 Wikis: Editable pages by members.
 Shared Calendars: Coordinating schedules among multiple users.
2. Google Drive: Cloud-Based Collaboration:
o Overview: Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows file sharing and collaboration, accessible with a
Google account.
o How to Use:
 My Drive: Main page to access files and apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
 Uploading Files: Upload via the "NEW" button or by dragging and dropping.
 Sharing Files: Right-click a file, select "Share," and set permissions for editing or viewing.
o Google Drive Productivity Apps:
 Google Docs: Web-based word processor with real-time collaboration.
 Google Sheets: Spreadsheet app with similar features to Microsoft Excel.
 Google Slides: Presentation app similar to PowerPoint, with cloud storage and real-time
collaboration.
o Real-Time Collaboration: Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides allow multiple users to edit documents
simultaneously by sharing the files.
3. Google Apps Features:
o Google Docs: Cloud-based word processor with auto-saving and collaborative editing.
o Google Sheets: Spreadsheet tool with formatting options, real-time editing, and auto-saving.
o Google Slides: Presentation tool with templates, multimedia support, and cloud-based sharing.

1. ICT and Society

 Global Connectivity: One of the most profound impacts of ICT on society is the way it connects people around the world.
Through the internet and digital tools, individuals can collaborate and communicate regardless of geographic location.
This leads to greater access to knowledge, educational opportunities, and the ability to connect with people globally.
 Digital Inclusion: ICT has the potential to bridge social gaps by providing access to resources that may not otherwise be
available to underserved communities. However, there are also concerns about the digital divide where people without
access to technology can be left behind.

2. Disaster Response

 Google Person Finder:

o Functionality: This tool was developed after the Haiti earthquake in 2010 to help people locate family and
friends during a disaster. It is an open-source platform that aggregates data from multiple sources, including
news outlets and disaster relief organizations. It provides a centralized location where people can input or
search for information about missing individuals.
o Impact: Google Person Finder has been used in numerous disasters, including natural events (like earthquakes
and floods) and man-made disasters (like bombings). It plays a vital role in the immediate aftermath of a crisis,
allowing survivors to reunite and facilitating relief efforts.
 Facebook Safety Check:
o How It Works: Facebook automatically detects when a user is in an affected area based on their location and
then prompts them to use the "Safety Check" feature. This feature allows users to mark themselves as "safe,"
which will appear in the news feeds of their friends and family. It ensures that people can quickly inform loved
ones about their well-being during crises.
o Social Media's Role in Crisis: Beyond Facebook, other platforms have also enabled users to share real-time
updates during disasters. This has become a key part of modern disaster management, where individuals, local
communities, and organizations can keep each other informed and mobilize resources quickly.

3. Charity

 Electronic Money Transfer:

 o Convenience and Security: With digital platforms like PayPal, donors can contribute money to relief efforts
from anywhere in the world with just a few clicks. This convenience has revolutionized how charitable donations
are made, especially in response to natural disasters where immediate financial support is needed.
o Global Impact: Organizations like UNICEF have tapped into the global reach of online donations, allowing
them to gather vast sums of money to aid disaster recovery. This is a key example of how ICT can enable rapid
response and resource mobilization for global humanitarian efforts.

4. Social Awareness

 Social Media for Awareness:

o Viral Campaigns: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube play a crucial role in spreading
awareness about causes. Campaigns like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge are examples of how social media
can quickly turn into a global movement, raising funds and educating people about important issues.
o Crowdsourced Awareness: Hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter or #MeToo have sparked conversations around
social justice, gender equality, and human rights, showing how ICT tools can amplify voices that might
otherwise go unheard. These movements demonstrate the power of social media in creating real-world change.

5. Petitions

 Online Petitions Platforms:

o Change.org: This platform allows individuals and organizations to create petitions and rally support for causes
they believe in. Unlike traditional petitions, which required physical signatures, online petitions allow for greater
reach, enabling people worldwide to participate.
o Global Reach: Online petitions have helped push for significant policy changes, such as environmental
protection laws, gender equality, and social justice reforms. The ability to mobilize support online has
transformed activism, enabling movements to scale and become more impactful.

6. The Team Setting: Holacracy

 Traditional vs. Holacracy:

o Traditional Team Structure: In a typical traditional structure, there is a clear hierarchy, with one leader making
all the key decisions. While this model works well in some contexts, it often stifles creativity and
doesn’t fully utilize the potential of all team members.
o Holacracy: In contrast, holacracy encourages a flatter structure. Instead of a top-down approach, every
member has an opportunity to take on leadership roles in areas where they have expertise. For instance, one
member may lead design, another documentation, and another public relations. This approach empowers team
members to contribute to decision-making and leadership, which can lead to more innovation and collaboration.
 Benefits of Holacracy:
o Empowerment: Each team member can take ownership of their work and be recognized for their contributions.
This approach fosters a sense of equality and shared responsibility.
o Flexibility and Adaptability: Since leadership is distributed, teams are more agile and able to adapt quickly to
changes or challenges. Decisions are often made more quickly, and each member can bring their unique
perspective to the table.
 Challenges of Holacracy:
o Requires Trust and Communication: For holacracy to work effectively, all team members must trust each
other and communicate openly. Clear roles and responsibilities need to be established to prevent confusion and
ensure everyone is on the same page.
o Potential for Confusion: Without a clear leader, some teams might experience confusion or lack of direction.
It's important to have a solid framework for collaboration and conflict resolution.