Graphic design is a communication style type of art, meaning it uses storytelling and art elements to convey something to the viewers. This type of design can influence people’s emotions and thoughts, such as feeling inspired or gaining a new perspective on an idea. Understanding what graphic design is can help you understand if this is a career path you want to pursue. In this article, we discuss what graphic design is, the basic elements are, the different types there are and a few roles of a graphic designer. Related: How To Learn Graphic Designing (With Steps)
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What is graphic design?
Graphic design is creating art through planning and projecting a certain message using a combination of text and images. This type of art tells a story or promotes an idea or product through a set of visuals, either digital or in print. As a designer, creating graphic designs can help them connect with the viewer of their work. You can use this type of art commercially or express an artistic idea. Some tools used in graphic design can include:
- Graphic design and creative software
- Computer monitors
- Notebooks
- External hard drives
- Cloud storage
Related: Graphic Designer Skills: Definition and Examples
What are the basic elements of graphic design?
Understanding graphic design involves learning the basic elements and principles used in any graphic design piece. You can use them to complement each other or create an interesting contrast in your work with these elements and principles. Here are the basic elements a designer can use:
- Color
- Line
- Shape
- Form
- Space
- Size
- Texture
Here are the basic principles a designer can use with their basic elements:
- Balance
- Rhythm
- Movement
- Proportion
- Emphasis
- Contrast
Related: 27 Ways To Become a Better Graphic Designer
Types of graphic design:
Graphic design has several opportunities for designers to pursue based on their interests. Here are the different types of graphic design:
- Visual identity: Visual identity comprises the visual elements that communicate a brand, such as images, fonts and colors. Graphic designers specializing in this area often are to create typography and color palettes for brands so all marketing material is consistent throughout.
- Marketing and advertising: Marketing and advertising designers work with other marketing professionals, companies, directors and their managers to create marketing material, such as magazine ads or billboards. They make visual content that’s engaging and communicative to promote a company’s service or products.
- User interface: A user interface designers focus on what the user interacts with, such as menus and buttons to click. Their job is to balance visual appeals with functionality.
- Publication: A publication designer works with traditional material, such as books, magazines and catalogs. They handpick layouts, typography and images, like photos, illustrations or graphics, for publications.
- Packaging: A packaging designer works to make the packaging of products appealing and informative, making it another marketing tool. Part of their work includes creating prototypes and files that are ready to print.
- Motion: A motion designer adds movement to their graphics. They create designs such as animations, movements to title and closing sequences of film and television and advertisements.
- Environmental: An environmental designer enhances people’s experiences outdoors. Some of the designs they create are wall murals, office branding and the interiors of retail stores.
- Art and illustration: Art and illustration designers create their own original artwork to narrate a story or as decoration. Examples of things they create are images for shirts, comic books, stock images and album art.
Here are a few jobs you can pursue in graphic design. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below:
1. Web designer
National average salary: $56,866 per year Primary duties: Combining their technical and creative skills, web designers can build or redesign websites. Their major goal when building websites is to ensure the site is functional, aesthetically pleasing and easy for users to navigate. A primary duty in this role can include researching the target audience to create the optimal site for the users. For example, if a target audience is children, a web designer might use bright colors and several images appealing to kids. Additional duties can include creating layouts and features that match their clients’ design specifications and needs. Web designers tend to have artistic personalities.
2. Graphic designer
National average salary: $50,656 per year Primary duties: A graphic designer uses their creative and technical skills to combine images and text into pieces, such as organization logos and promotional material. The major goal of a graphic designer is to communicate with visuals effectively and make the images pleasing for others to view. Some of their primary duties to achieve their goals include using computer software to create their material, designing brochures, magazine and book covers and web pages. Additionally, they meet with their clients to gain an understanding of design specifications, present their drafts and receive feedback to implement into their final draft.
3. Art director
National average salary: $77,358 per year Primary duties: Art directors oversee the work of artists and designers in several industries, such as magazines, television, advertisements, newspapers, product packages, video games and live performances. They determine what photographs, art and other design work to use in art pieces. Some of their primary duties can include developing detailed budgets and project timelines, reviewing and approving designs, artwork and photographs and creating the general style and design for publications or advertising campaigns. In the film industry, art directors work alongside the film director to determine what sets they’re wanting and the style of sets.
4. Creative director
National average salary: $101,711 per year Primary duties: A creative director is the lead of creative teams and has the final approval on what the team sends to their clients and makes the creative decisions. Their primary duties can include managing the entire process of projects, creating concepts and visions for their team to execute and ensuring that projects match the desires of their clients. Skills such as critical thinking, leadership and art are important to theit is graphr ro le. Having a wide variety of interests and experiences may improve chances of success in this role because they can think of creative solutions and ideas for their teams. Related: Creative Director: Definition, Duties and Comparison to an Art Director
5. User experience (UX) designer
National average salary: $99,082 per year Primary duties: UX designers combine their psychology, market research, design, technology and business skills to focus on how users interact with products and services, such as websites or mobile applications. Some of the primary duties as a UX designer can include developing content, prototyping and wireframing and analyzing their competitors. Additionally, duties can include coordinating with user interface (UI) designers, researching their users and analyzing their existing customers and creating product structures and strategies. Key skills for this role can include information architecture, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving and motivation for continuous learning.
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