Tools and Materials

Formalizing your ideas into graphic images does not require sophisticated equipment. At the beginning of the design process, all you really need is a mark-making implement and surface to drawn on. A great deal can be learn from experimenting with a limited range of tools and materials. Using a pencil or pen will force you to focus on the types of mark that this simple tool can make.

Pencil
1. Lead or graphic pencils, are available in twenty grades of two ranges.
2. Mechanical or clutch pencils, contain fine leads of 1 millimetre diameter or less.
3. Coloured pencils, are available in up to 72 colours.
4. Chinagraph pencils, are soft, waxy pencils ideal for making shiny surfaces, such as oberlays or glass.

Pens
1. Dip or nibs pens, are sturdy and pressure sensitive and they produce a characterful, scatchy line.
2. Fountains pens, are bladder or reservoir-fed nibs pens intended for writing but are equally suitable for drawing.
3. Ballpoint pens, deliver mechanical marks at an even, constant flow in a thick, dry, permanent ink.
4. Fineliner and rolling ball pens, produce a more consistent width of line.
5. Stylo-tipped pens, were developed for technical drawing where a sharp line is essential.
6. Felt-tip pens, have soft felt nibs that disperse concentrated ink.
7. Markers, are round or chisel-tipped felt pens that can rapidly cover a surface with strong, water or spirit-based colour.

Paper Types
1. Cartridge Paper, is a generally inexpensive, machine made, general purpose available in various colours, sizes and

qualities and can be bought in pads, books or individual sheets. It should be stretched for wet media.
2. Detail Paper, is a heavy duty layout paper suitable for marker pens.
3. Hand-made Papers, are attractive, textured papers ideal for background and collaged layers.
4. Watercolour Papers, are hot-pressed, cold-pressed, rought and content a textured grain suitable for loose, wet pigment.
5. Bristol Board, are smooth, heavy cards. They are best suited to fine pen work, marker pens and ink.
6. Tracing Paper, is a thin, translucent paper yhat allows you to see an image beneath so that you can copy it.
7. Pastel Paper, is a grainy paper type, ideal for creating visual images requiring a slight, textured surface.
8. Acetate, is a thin transparent plastic that can be used in photocopiers and printers.
9. Coloured Papers, are ideal for collage work where block of colour are required.

A Size chart
A0 841 x 1188 mm / 33.1 x 46.8 in
A1 594 x 841 mm / 23.4 x 33.1 in
A2 420 x 594 mm / 16.5 x 23.4 in
A3 297 x 420 mm / 11.7 x 16.5 in
A4 210 x 297 mm / 8.3 x 11.7 in
A5 148 x 210 mm / 5.8 x 8.3 in
A6 105 x 148 mm / 4.1 x 5.8 in

Paints
1. Guache/ Poster Colour, are the paints most commontly used by graphic designer.
2. Watercolours, are basic design kits, a set of twelve colours.
3. Acrylic, is a highly versatile medium that adheres to most surfaces.

Brushes
Brush are produced in two main shapes : Flat and Round.

1. A Medium Round Brush, is suitable for delicate watercolour work.
2. A Large Round Brush, is good for broad strokes of watercolour and moderately fine detail.
3. A wash Brush, is set in a flat ferrule with a wide, wooden handle.
4. A Rigger, as it’s name suggests, was use for painting the ornamentation on ships.
5. A Hog Hair Flat Brush, has stiff hairs that are useful for a thicker paint medium such as acrylic.
6. A Spotter, is the shortest of the round brushes.
7. A Flat Brush, is similar to a wash brush but has no longer, stiffer hairs.