Which visuals would best reinforce a message of environmental sustainability?

• Metallic gradients

• Neon colors

• Earth tones and natural imagery

• Minimal use of white (negative) space

Answer explanation

Earth tones and natural imagery effectively convey environmental sustainability by reflecting the colors of nature, promoting a sense of harmony and connection to the environment, unlike metallic gradients or neon colors.

What color mode should be used when preparing graphics for a printed brochure?

• RGB

• HEX

• CMYK

• HSL

Answer explanation

CMYK is the preferred color mode for printed materials like brochures, as it represents the four ink colors used in color printing (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key/Black). RGB and other modes are better suited for digital displays.

Which specifications are most appropriate for an image used on an outdoor billboard (freeway sign) that will be printed on vinyl scaled at .5" = 1' (half-inch = one foot).

https://www.whistlerbillboards.com/billboard-mastery/mastering-billboard-sizing-for-your-next-campaign/

• Print: 300 ppi, CMYK
  24" x 7"
  
  Digital: 72 ppi, RGB
  880 x 260 pixels

• 150 ppi, CMYK

• 72 ppi, RGB

• 10–30 ppi, CMYK

Answer explanation

The correct choice specifies 300 ppi for print quality, ensuring clarity on a large billboard, and uses CMYK for color printing. The dimensions of 24" x 7" are suitable for visibility, while 72 ppi and RGB are appropriate for digital formats.

What is the standard size of a U.S. business card?

• 4" × 6"

• 8.5" × 11"

• 3.5" × 2"

• 2.5" × 2.5"

Answer explanation

The standard size of a U.S. business card is 3.5" × 2". This size is widely recognized and used for professional networking, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans is associated with which art movement?

• Cubism

• Bauhaus

• Pop Art

• Dadaism

Answer explanation

Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans is a quintessential example of Pop Art, which emerged in the 1950s and celebrated consumer culture and mass production, contrasting with traditional fine art.

Why should you license a font before using it in a commercial design?

• Fonts don’t need licensing

• To avoid copyright infringement

• It’s only required for print media

• To change the font name legally

Answer explanation

Licensing a font is essential to avoid copyright infringement. Using a font without proper licensing can lead to legal issues, as fonts are protected by copyright law, just like any other creative work.

Which of the following is a legal but potentially unethical design behavior?

• Purchasing stock photos

• Using royalty-free music

• Downloading images without permission

• Buying licensed fonts

Answer explanation

Downloading images without permission is illegal and unethical, as it violates copyright laws. In contrast, purchasing stock photos, using royalty-free music, and buying licensed fonts are legal practices.

What is the benefit of using a layer mask instead of the eraser tool?

• Saves memory

• Makes image brighter

• Allows non-destructive edits (pixels are hidden, not gone.)

• Increases resolution

Answer explanation

Using a layer mask allows for non-destructive edits, meaning you can hide pixels without permanently deleting them. This flexibility enables easier adjustments and corrections compared to the eraser tool, which permanently removes pixels.

Sometimes, Photoshop's "Remove Background" option can't calculate the right pixels to hide.
Then you need to go in and make your own selections to mask/hide the pixels.

This is a type of non-destructive editing, the pixels are just hidden by the mask - not deleted.

When is it best to use the Pen Tool for the selection?

• Selecting a solid background

• Selecting complex, irregular edges

• Making precise, custom paths for clean edges

• Automatically selecting similar colors

Answer explanation

The Pen Tool is best for making precise, custom paths for clean edges, especially when dealing with complex shapes. It allows for detailed control over the selection, ensuring accuracy in the masking process.

Which device is commonly used to digitize hand-drawn illustrations, capturing the images 300ppi at the size it will be printed?

• Microphone

• Keyboard

• Scanner

• Monitor

Answer explanation

A scanner is the device used to digitize hand-drawn illustrations, capturing images at high resolutions like 300ppi, which is essential for quality printing.