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Graphics cheat sheet

Every rule in the course and the numbers worth memorising. Print it or save it as a PDF.

Cheat sheet

Graphic Design on one page

Bad Design Academy by Bad Design
baddesign.io/academy/

300 ppiPrint photo resolution at final size

CMYKColor mode for print

RGBColor mode for screens

2 fontsA sensible typeface limit

1.4 to 1.6Body text leading

45 to 75Characters per line

60/30/10Neutral, secondary, accent

12 columnsGrid that splits evenly

~7 wordsBillboard copy rule of thumb

16 pxTest your logo at favicon size

Contrast: Make important things look clearly different, in value, size, color or weight.
Hierarchy and scale: Use size and emphasis to set the order in which people read your design.
Gestalt grouping: People perceive elements as groups based on proximity, similarity, closure and continuity.
Balance and alignment: Arrange elements so the layout feels stable and every item lines up with something.

Color harmonies: Use relationships on the color wheel (analogous, complementary, triadic) to build palettes that work together.
Color balance: Balance a palette so one accent guides attention, roughly 60% neutral, 30% secondary and 10% accent.
RGB vs CMYK: Screens mix light in RGB; printers mix ink in CMYK. Design each job in the right mode.
Color meaning: Color associations depend on culture, industry and context, not a universal chart.

Type pairing: Combine typefaces with clear roles and enough contrast, usually two families at most.
Kerning, tracking and leading: Kerning spaces letter pairs, tracking spaces whole words or lines, leading spaces lines of text.
Readable text blocks: Body text needs comfortable size, line spacing and line length.
Legibility at distance: Signs, posters and billboards are glanced at, so they need few words and bold, simple type.

Grid systems: Column grids give layouts consistent alignment and rhythm across pages.
White space: Empty space focuses attention and makes designs feel calm and premium.
Rule of thirds: Placing key subjects on third lines creates dynamic, balanced compositions.
Visual flow: Guide the eye through the design in the order you want, often a Z or F path.

Logo principles: Great logos are simple, distinctive, scalable and work in one color.
Vector vs raster: Vectors are paths that scale infinitely; rasters are pixels with fixed resolution.
File formats: Choose SVG, PNG, JPG or PDF based on where the graphic will be used.
Resolution: Print photos at around 300 ppi at final size; for screens, the pixel dimensions are what matter.