Bachelor of Graphic Design Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Bachelor of Graphic Design facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the primary purpose of a 'style guide' for illustrators working on a brand or publishing project? → To ensure visual consistency across all illustrations in the project
2. What design period is associated with the psychedelic poster art of the 1960s, featuring bright colors and distorted typography? → The Psychedelic/Counterculture era
3. Which color relationship describes colors located directly opposite each other on the color wheel? → Complementary
4. What typographic hierarchy technique uses size variation to guide the reader's eye through content? → Scale contrast
5. What format should a logo be saved in to allow scaling to any size without quality loss? → SVG
6. What does 'point size' measure in typography? → The total vertical space occupied by the font including ascenders and descenders
7. What is 'kerning' most precisely adjusted for in professional software like Adobe Illustrator? → Space between individual character pairs to improve visual balance
8. Which influential graphic designer created the Saul Bass title sequences for films including Vertigo, Psycho, and Anatomy of a Murder? → Saul Bass
9. What is the difference between JPEG and PNG file formats in graphic design? → JPEG uses lossy compression; PNG supports lossless compression and transparency
10. In Adobe InDesign, what is the 'pasteboard'? → The area surrounding the document page where objects can be placed temporarily
11. What is a tint in color theory? → A color with white added
12. What does the term 'resolution' refer to in digital imaging? → The number of pixels in an image
13. What does the term 'DPI' stand for, and why does it matter in print design? → Dots Per Inch — determines print resolution and output quality
14. What is the purpose of the 'bleed' area in a print document? → To extend design elements beyond the trim line to prevent white edges after cutting
15. What is the color temperature of a hue said to be when it evokes feelings of warmth? → Warm
16. In graphic design, what is a 'color palette'? → A curated selection of colors defined for a brand or project to ensure visual consistency
17. What is a 'non-disclosure agreement' (NDA) in the context of a graphic design client relationship? → A legal agreement requiring both parties to keep project details confidential
18. Which typeface style was designed to mimic handwriting with connected letterforms? → Script
19. What is a font family? → A collection of typefaces sharing the same design but varying in weight and style
20. What is a 'mockup' in the context of print and product design? → A digital or physical simulation showing how a design will look in real-world context
21. What is the color gamut? → The range of colors a device can reproduce or display
22. What does 'brand equity' mean in the context of graphic design? → The value and recognition a brand gains from its consistent visual identity
23. What does 'clear space' mean in logo usage guidelines? → A minimum area of empty space that must surround the logo
24. In digital design, what does 'PPI' stand for and when is it most relevant? → Pixels Per Inch — most relevant for screen display resolution
25. What is a 'widow' in typographic layout? → A single short word or syllable at the end of a paragraph on its own line
26. What design movement, originating in Russia around 1917, used stark geometry and sans-serif typography to serve political ideology? → Russian Constructivism
27. Which alignment option creates a straight edge on both the left and right sides of a text block? → Justified
28. What is the Pantone Matching System (PMS) primarily used for in graphic design? → Ensuring consistent ink colors in print production
29. What is a 'visual metaphor' in the context of illustration and storytelling? → Representing one concept by depicting something that shares its qualities
30. The output of Illustrator's guidelines is: → Blue