Types of Graphic Design

 

Whether you want to become a graphic designer or need to hire a designer for your business, knowing the eight different types of graphic design has everything to gain.

Graphic design and the different types of design

The graphic design is a discipline that involves using a visual composition to solve a problem and express an idea using typography, images, colors and shapes. There isn't just one way to do this and that's why there are several types of design, each with its own unique attributes.

Although they overlap, each type of graphic design calls for specific skills and techniques. There are many graphic designers who specialize in just one type of design. Others prefer to develop skills in several related fields. But because this industry is constantly evolving, graphic designers must be able to adapt and learn new techniques every day, so as to change or add specialty areas to their offering.

1. Visual identity

The visual identity is the set of graphic elements that identify a company or an organization.

Graphic designers who specialize in visual identity design work with a brand's decision-makers to create a series of elements, such as a logo, typography, color palette, and image library that represent the personality. Of the brand. In addition to traditional business cards and other stationery, graphic designers are developing a graphic charter serving as a reference for all future graphic needs, on all communication channels. These guidelines help create a certain consistency in the brand's identity.

Graphic designers specializing in visual identity should have a good general knowledge of all types of graphic design, in order to create elements that can be used across all channels. They must also have excellent interpersonal skills, ease of conceptualization and a good creative sense, as well as being willing to reach people according to the industry, trends and competition.

2. Marketing and advertising

When it comes to graphic design, most people think of it as designs created for marketing and advertising.

Businesses rely on the success of their marketing campaigns to influence the decisions of their target audience. Effective marketing engages people based on their wants, needs, knowledge and satisfaction of a product, service, or brand. Since visual content is always more engaging than text alone, graphic designers help organizations promote themselves and communicate effectively.

Graphic designers specializing in marketing work with business directors, managers, and even marketers to create useful elements for their clients' marketing strategies. They sometimes work solo or are employed within a company and are part of a team. Graphic designers can specialize in a particular medium (advertising in magazines, advertising on vehicles, for example), or on the contrary work on all media, digital or not. If this type of graphics is traditionally focused on "print" designs, digital is now taking more and more place, especially when it comes to content marketing .

Examples of graphic design marketing

 

·         Postcards and flyers

·         Magazines and advertisements in the press

·         Posters, banners, and billboards

·         Infographics

·         Brochures (print and digital)

·         Vehicle wrapping

·         Commercial signs and displays

·         Email marketing templates

·         PowerPoint presentations

·         Menus

·         Social media ads, banners and graphics

·         Retargeting banners and ads

·         Images for blogs and websites

Marketing designers need to have excellent people skills, problem solving, and time management. In addition to mastering several types of graphic design, layout and application interfaces, they should also be familiar with printing processes as well as with different digital environments. Entry-level positions in this field are a great way for graphic designers to learn the different processes, and gain solid skills and experience.

3. User interface

User Interface (UI) is the name given to describe the way users interact with a device or application. A graphic designer specializing in UI design designs interfaces to be easy and enjoyable to use.

This includes all the elements that users interact with (screen, keyboard, mouse), but in the context of graphic design, it is mostly about the visual on-screen experience of the users, i.e. the buttons. , menus, micro-interactions, etc. The job of a UI designer is to find the right balance between aesthetics and functionality.

UI designers specialize in mobile apps, desktop apps, web apps, and games. They work closely with UX (“user experience”) designers, who determine how apps work, as well as UI developers, who write the code to make the app work.

UI graphic design examples

 

·         Web page design

·         Theme design (WordPress, Shopify, etc.)

·         Game interfaces

·         App design

UI designers must be able to work in a team, and have both very serious graphic design skills and an excellent understanding of the principles of user experience / interface. They should also know the principles of adaptive design and web development. In addition to mastering application design, they should know the most popular programming languages, such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

4. Editing

Publishing is an area generally associated with long, widely distributed publications. We will think in particular of all printed media: books, newspapers, magazines and catalogs. However, digital publications have been enjoying some popularity for some time.

Graphic designers specializing in this field work with publishers and publishing houses to create the layout of their publications, and choose the typography and any images that accompany the text. It can be photos, graphics, or illustrations. These graphic designers practice their profession as a freelance, within an agency, or quite simply as employees of a publishing house.

Examples of graphic design editing

 

·         Books

·         Newspapers

·         Newsletters

·         Directories

·         Annual reports

·         Magazines

·         Catalogs

Graphic designers specializing in publishing must have excellent interpersonal skills, mastery of layout, and be well organized. In addition to being true graphic design experts, they must have a good understanding of color, printing techniques and digital publishing.

5. The packaging

Most products need packaging so that they can be stored, distributed and sold. But packaging design can also be a great tool for communicating a whole lot of information to consumers, which makes it an excellent marketing tool! Each box, bottle, bag, can, and container represents an opportunity to tell the story of the brand.

Graphic designers specializing in packaging find concepts, create models, and create ready-to-print files for product packaging. This requires in-depth knowledge of printing techniques as well as a good understanding of manufacturing processes. Because packaging design brings together so many disciplines, it is common to see graphic designers specializing in this field also creating other elements, such as photographs, illustrations, or even complete visual identities.

Packaging designers are either extremely versatile, or on the contrary very specialized in a type of packaging (labels, or cans, for example) or in a sector of activity (agrifood, or children's toys, for example). Their work requires a great capacity for conceptualization, in addition to a very good knowledge of the printing and industrial design processes. They need to be flexible in order to accommodate their customers, marketers, manufacturers, and always be on top of the latest trends.

6. Animation

To put it simply, animated graphics are graphics that are in motion. This of course includes animations, but also audio content, typography, images, video, and any other effect used online, on television and in movies. The popularity of this field has exploded in recent years, with advancements in technology and the success of video content.

This area is fairly new to graphic designers. Initially reserved for television and cinema, new technologies have made it possible to reduce production time and costs, which has greatly contributed to the democratization of the discipline. Nowadays, you can find animations on all kinds of digital media, creating a new category of design with the opportunities that this presents.

Animation design examples

 

·         Title sequences and end credits

·         Advertising

·         Animated logos

·         Trailers

·         Presentations

·         Promotional videos

·         Video tutorials

·         Web sites

·         Apps

·         Video games

·         Banners

·         GIFs

Graphic designers specializing in this field start by developing a storyboard, then bring their concept to life using animation, video, and more traditional art forms. Depending on the industry, having a solid knowledge of marketing, code, and 3D modeling can be a big advantage.

7. The environment

Design in the environment connects people to places in ways that enhance their experience, making places more memorable, interesting, informative, or just easier to navigate.

Examples of environment design

 

·         Signage

·         Wall designs

·         Exhibitions in museums

·         Office branding

·         Signage in public transport

·         Interior decoration of stores

·         Stadium branding

·         Decoration of conference rooms or events

Signage is a type of environmental graphic design on its own. The principle is to define a signaling strategy, with visual cues, so that users can identify where they are and where they are heading, with the minimum of confusion.

Environmental graphic design is a multidisciplinary practice that emerges from design, architecture, interior architecture, landscaping, and industrial design. Graphic designers work with a number of professionals in these industries to plan and implement their designs. For this reason, these graphic designers often have a dual competence in graphic design and architecture. They should be familiar with the principles of industrial design and able to sketch architectural plans.

Traditionally, environmental design has been the source of many static signs. But the digital age means that we are seeing more and more digital signs, creating an experience that is all the more engaging.

8. Art and illustration

The field of art and illustration is often seen as equivalent to graphic design. However, these two areas are very different from each other. To connect and solve problems, graphic designers create compositions. Artists and illustrators create original works. Their art takes many forms, whether it is fine art, decoration, or text illustration.

Even though graphic art and illustrations are not technically types of graphic design, the two fields are so related to each other that it is difficult to talk about one without referring to the other.

Examples of art and illustration in graphic design

 

·         T-shirt Designs

·         Patterns for fabrics

·         Animated graphics

·         Stock Images

·         Illustrated books

·         Video games

·         Web sites

·         Comics

·         Album covers

·         Book covers

·         Picture books

·         Infographics

·         Technical illustrations

·         Concept art

Graphic artists use any combination of media and techniques to create, and collaborate with copywriters, editors, managers, marketers, and creative directors, in all types of graphic design. They often have a good foundation in arts, animation and architecture. Since these disciplines share skills, it is quite possible to find graphic designers who also work as artists or illustrators, and vice versa.

Choose the right type of graphic design for your project

Graphic design is a constantly evolving field and the demand for skilled and specialized professionals is increasing. But when looking for the right person to carry out your project, it's important to know the different types of graphic design to help you identify the graphic designer you need.

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