Graphic Design

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is the process of visual communication through the use of typography, photography, iconography and illustration. The field is considered a subset of visual communication and communication design, but sometimes the term "graphic design" is used synonymously.

What is the Purpose of Graphic Design?

The main purpose of Graphic design is to communicate. Primarily graphic design is visual communication; it uses  images and colors to represent certain ideas or message

Benefits of Graphic design for businesses

Positive First Impression The design of your logo determines how your business is viewed by prospective customers. If you have an uninteresting or difficult to understand the logo, the viewers may look away and show no interest in your brand or business

Professional image The use of common logos, images and graphics in your marketing materials, website and on social media pages can help in creating consistency and uniformity.

Brand Recognition The major benefit of Graphic design for businesses is that it helps in establishing a visual identity of the brand which is a reflection of the company’s values and goals. An effective graphic design can offer an instant connection between your company’s values and the products or services offered.

Communication Graphic designs help in effective communication with the viewers as visual aids are better at communicating ideas. A creatively designed, informative graphic or picture when compared to only words, can communicate ideas and information more effectively.

Building Trust and Goodwill Graphic designing helps to create a professional brand image. This professional image helps in building trust and credibility in the minds of the consumers. Building trust helps in convincing the buyers about the quality of the products or services offered.

Why graphic design matters?

Business require the services of professional graphic designers for creating effective marketing materials like brochures, business ,cards, leaflets, banners etc. Graphic designing involves designing and developing the logo which can help build a brand image.

It also involves designing exclusive mobile apps and social media pages for promoting and advertising the business. Graphic design is not only about beautifying it is more than just appearances, it has many more benefits other than making something look beautiful and attractive.

 What is a good graphic design?

The Elements of Good Graphic Design are the components or parts of a work of art or design. More simply put, they are the ingredients of art. Take one part color, a pinch of texture, and a whole lot of shape and the result will be some well  designed graphic design

7 types of Graphic Design to consider for your creative path

1. Product design Product designers use their creative prowess to research, design and develop new products. The types of products they create depends on which industry they work in, but it could include everything from toys to tools to technology. 

Type of work produced: Various types of products, product packaging, marketing designs, product illustrations and prototypes. Skills needed: Market research, prototyping, 3D modeling,

2. Branding design Branding is a type of corporate design that focuses on the visual identity of a company or product. These designers must be in tune with the marketing message a brand wants to send, as well as the target audience they wish to reach. Every aspect of branding design must align with these goals, as well as fit into the larger aesthetic of the company or organization. 

Types of work produced: Logos, website branding, company letterhead, business cards, signage, company brochures. Skills needed: Adobe Creative Suite, market research, communication skills, teamwork.

3. Website design There’s a graphic designer behind nearly every website you visit and app you download. These design pros need a strong sense of user experience (UX) design to make sure the sites they design are as user-friendly as possible on both desktops and mobile devices. They use all their skills to design online spaces that are visually appealing, easy to navigate, compatible with SEO best practices and aligned with their clients’ branding.

Types of work produced: Websites and apps. Skills needed: Branding, UX design, wireframing, SEO, basic coding, problem solving.

4. Print design The digital age may have changed the world of graphic design, but that doesn’t mean there’s not still a market for print! These graphic designers specialize in creating work that is meant to be viewed in a physical capacity. From billboards to business cards, these designers are able to create digital designs that go beyond the screen and translate well to the physical realm.

Types of work produced: Brochures, flyers, billboards, stickers, stationery sets, T-shirts, mugs and other products. Skills needed: Layout design, print design, color theory, Adobe Creative Suite .

5. Publishing design Graphic designers who work in the publishing industry typically work on books or magazines. They’re responsible for creating eye-catching covers that will appeal to the market audience, as well as designing page layouts that present information in a way that’s appealing and easy to read.

Types of work produced: Book and magazine covers, ebook layout and design, magazine spreads, graphs or other images in nonfiction books. Skills needed: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign®, market research, attention to detail.

6. Environmental design This graphic design combines basic design principles with elements of architecture and landscape design to create signs, maps and other visual elements that people use to navigate the world around them. 

Types of work produced: Signage, exterior building displays, wayfinding systems, retail store design, museum exhibits, and exterior design elements such as fountains and sculptures. Skills needed: Creativity, communication skills, urban design, Adobe Creative Suite.

7. Animation design Animation and motion designers use specialized software to create everything from cartoons to animated social media graphics. The graphics these designers create can provide entertainment via TV shows or video games, draw attention to a corporate social media account or help people learn through animated informational videos.

Types of work produced: Video games, cartoons and animations for television or movies, brand animation for social media channels, motion graphics for online videos. Skills needed: Storyboarding, CAD software, video editing software, problem solving, teamwork.

4 Reasons a Graphic Design degree is worth it

While it may seem quick and easy to jump right in and learn as you go, there are clear benefits that come with taking the time to undergo a formal graphic design education. From the knowledge and instruction you receive while in school to the opportunities available to you after graduation, the advantages are abundant.

You can increase your earning potential We’ve all heard that money can’t buy happiness. But there are plenty of things that money can buy, such as your monthly rent, your cable bill or a night out on the town with friends. Let’s face it, you’d be lying if you said you wouldn’t appreciate a larger salary.

So how does the salary of a graphic designer stack up? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2017, the nationwide median annual salary for graphic designers was $48,700. 

It can help you stand out among your competition Enough with the data. This one came straight from the mouths of our experts, who say if they were making a hiring decision between two skilled designers, they would choose the degree holder over the self-taught designer.

“Obtaining a degree in graphic design validates your dedication and brings credibility to your occupation,” says Lisa Chu, CEO of Black N Bianco. In her opinion, a graphic designer with a degree has a much stronger chance of being hired than a designer without one.

You can develop your skills & portfolio under expert direction Another perk of earning a graphic design degree is that you have the unique opportunity to sharpen your skills alongside industry experts. Most graphic design programs employ faculty members who have years of experience under their belt.

Watching YouTube videos at home can’t compare to the priceless, hands-on instruction you could receive from an expert mentor. Their coaching goes much deeper than just the content of the courses.

The value of design education “Even though you don’t need to be formally educated to become a hairstylist, people still go to them for a haircut because they have been properly trained and qualified,” Annese explains. “You don’t just get a haircut from anyone who has ‘practiced’ on their own.” He believes the same principle applies for graphic design.

So, although pursuing a design degree may delay your design career a bit, it could end up elevating your career to a whole new level. After learning the facts and hearing the benefits firsthand from professionals, you can be confident that going back to school can help you set the stage for a long, successful career.