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. In brand identity design, what does a 'brand style guide' typically include? → Rules for logo usage, typography, and color palette
2. 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
3. What design period is associated with the psychedelic poster art of the 1960s, featuring bright colors and distorted typography? → The Psychedelic/Counterculture era
4. What is the purpose of a 'mood board' early in the design process? → To collect visual references that align the team on aesthetic direction before designing
5. In typography, what is the term for the small decorative strokes at the ends of letterform stems? → Serifs
6. Which color relationship describes colors located directly opposite each other on the color wheel? → Complementary
7. What typographic hierarchy technique uses size variation to guide the reader's eye through content? → Scale contrast
8. What format should a logo be saved in to allow scaling to any size without quality loss? → SVG
9. What does 'point size' measure in typography? → The total vertical space occupied by the font including ascenders and descenders
10. What is 'kerning' most precisely adjusted for in professional software like Adobe Illustrator? → Space between individual character pairs to improve visual balance
11. The Gestalt principle of 'proximity' states that: → Elements close together are seen as related
12. Which influential graphic designer created the Saul Bass title sequences for films including Vertigo, Psycho, and Anatomy of a Murder? → Saul Bass
13. How many points (pt) are in one pica? → 12
14. What is the difference between JPEG and PNG file formats in graphic design? → JPEG uses lossy compression; PNG supports lossless compression and transparency
15. In Adobe InDesign, what is the 'pasteboard'? → The area surrounding the document page where objects can be placed temporarily
16. What is a tint in color theory? → A color with white added
17. What does the term 'resolution' refer to in digital imaging? → The number of pixels in an image
18. What is the difference between a typeface and a font? → A typeface is the design family; a font is a specific size and weight within it
19. What does the term 'DPI' stand for, and why does it matter in print design? → Dots Per Inch — determines print resolution and output quality
20. 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
21. What is the color temperature of a hue said to be when it evokes feelings of warmth? → Warm
22. In graphic design, what is a 'color palette'? → A curated selection of colors defined for a brand or project to ensure visual consistency
23. 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
24. Which typeface style was designed to mimic handwriting with connected letterforms? → Script
25. What is a font family? → A collection of typefaces sharing the same design but varying in weight and style
26. 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
27. What is the color gamut? → The range of colors a device can reproduce or display
28. What does 'brand equity' mean in the context of graphic design? → The value and recognition a brand gains from its consistent visual identity
29. What is 'overprinting' in print design? → Allowing two ink colors to print on top of each other instead of knocking out
30. What does 'clear space' mean in logo usage guidelines? → A minimum area of empty space that must surround the logo