GRAPHIC DESIGN LESSON

WHAT IS GRAPHIC DESIGN?

If you’re like me, I’m sure many of you reading this think you have a pretty good understanding of
what graphic design is. Billboards, logos, magazines, video games, vector graphics, and raster
graphics are all things that come to mind when I think of graphic design. But what is it, really? It’s a
profession, yes, but if we dig a little deeper, it’s truly an art—an expression of one’s aesthetic—for
many.

For those of you who prefer a technical definition, we’ve got that for you too:

GRAPHIC DESIGN DEFINITION

Graphic design is the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and
ideas to convey information to an audience, especially to produce a specific effect. In other words,
graphic design is communication design; It’s a way of conveying ideas through visuals and design.

But believe it or not, graphic design isn’t a black-and-white concept. To fully grasp the concept of
graphic design, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the elements and principles that make
up design. One effective way to gain a deeper understanding is to take a web design course. It is a
valuable investment in your professional development and can open up a range of exciting
opportunities in the field of web design.

ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN

Elements of art are the basic units of any visual design that form the design’s structure and convey
its visual messages. The elements of graphic design are:

Line: The most basic of the design elements Lines can be curved, straight, thick, thin, two-
dimensional, three-dimensional—whatever, really! A line is simply an element of design that is
defined by a point moving in space.

Shape: A shape is a two-dimensionally defined area created by lines. Different types of shapes include
geometric, abstract, and organic shapes, all of which are basic elements of design.

Color: is one element that is especially important in attracting attention because there is psychology
behind the feelings that color can evoke. There are three main characteristics of color: hue (the color
family), value (how light or dark the color is), and saturation (the purity of the color).

Typography: is the art of arranging type. This one is critically important as it can greatly affect the
design’s messaging. Different weights (bold, regular, or light), combined with varied sizing, colors,
and spacing, can add power to the concept the designer is trying to communicate.
Texture: in design refers to how things look and feel if they were to be touched. For example, texture
can be rough, smooth, glossy, soft, hard, etc. Texture is another element used to draw attention. It
can be added to other elements like shapes, colors, images, and type.

Size: is simply how small or large something is. In design, size is used as an indication of importance,
and it can also create visual interest in a design by using contrasting sizes.

Space: refers to the areas of the design that are left blank. These areas include any distance or areas
between, around, below, or above other design elements. Designers intentionally place spaces in the
design to add emphasis to areas of the design.

Principles OF Graphic Design

The principles of design suggest how the designer should best arrange the various components of a
page layout to ensure the elements of the overall design are connected to one another. The principles
of design include the following:

Balance: Achieving visual balance in graphic design is done by using symmetry and asymmetry. This
is achieved by balancing the design in terms of weight, meaning shapes, lines, and other elements
are distributed evenly. So even if the two sides of the design aren't exactly the same, they have similar
elements. Balance is important because it provides structure and stability to a design.

ALIGNMENT: Alignment is about keeping the design organized. All aspects of the design should be
aligned with the top, bottom, center, or sides to create a visual connection between the elements.

Proximity: proximity creates a visual relationship between the elements of the design. It minimizes
clutter, increases viewer comprehension, and provides a focal point for viewers. It doesn’t necessarily
mean the similar elements need to be put right next to each other; it just means they should be
connected visually.

Repetition: Once you’ve chosen how to use your elements, repeat those patterns to establish
consistency throughout the design. This repetition ties together individual elements and strengthens
the design while creating a feeling of organized movement.

Contrast: Contrasting is used to emphasize certain aspects of the design. Using contrast allows you
to stress differences between elements, ultimately highlighting the key elements of your design that
you want to stand out.

GRAPHIC DESIGN TOOLS

The design process has evolved tremendously with the continuous digitalization of our world today.
But just because these processes have changed over the years doesn’t mean designers aren’t still
using traditional graphic design tools, like the ol’ pencil and paper.

Most graphic designers use a hybrid process that includes both traditional and digital technologies.
It’s common for designers to start the design process by sketching out concepts with traditional
graphic design tools before hitting the ground running on the computer for finalization. Many
designers start on computers using graphic design software. These tools have enhanced the creative
process by allowing designers to explore ideas and achieve designs more quickly than by completely
hand-rendering them.

Types OF Graphic Design

Over time, graphic design has become pretty multifaceted. The overall concept is composed of
different fields and specializations. Here are some of the most common types of graphic design:

Corporate Design: Corporate design has to do with the visual identity of a company. Any visual
elements that make up a brand's identity, such as a brand’s logo (made with logo design software),
can be associated with corporate design. This type of graphic design is used in brand marketing to
communicate brand values through images, shapes, and color.

Marketing and Advertising Design:

Marketing and advertising design is probably one of the most well-known types of graphic design.
When most people think of graphic design, they’re most likely thinking of marketing and advertising
design. Social media graphics, magazine ads, billboards, brochures, email marketing templates, and
content marketing are all examples of this widely used type of graphic design.

Publication Design: traditionally refers to print mediums, but again, with the constant digitalization
of our generation, it has crossed over to digital publishing. Publication designers need to work closely
with editors and publishers to ensure layouts, typography, and illustrations are tastefully combined,
producing the best possible end result. Examples of publication graphic designs include books,
newspapers, newsletters, magazines, and eBooks.

Environmental Design: This type of graphic design is commonly overlooked, at least in my opinion.
Environmental graphic design is the use of visual elements in environments to connect people to
those places. The purpose of environmental design is to improve people’s experiences in those
places, whether it makes the experience more memorable or informs the viewer. Architecture, road
signs, signage, event spaces, and wall murals are all examples of environmental design.

Packaging Design: When you buy a new product, it most likely has some form of packaging or visual
element such as a label, sticker, or wrapping that is used to prepare the product for distribution or
sale; these elements are created by packaging designers. It’s crucial that these designers are aware
of current trends within the marketplace to ensure successful product marketing.

Motion Design: Motion graphic design is a subset of graphic design, and it’s exactly what it sounds
like: graphics that are in motion. This can include animation, video games, apps, GIFs, website
features, etc. This is still a somewhat new area in graphic design, as technological advancements have
allowed designers to explore new mediums.

Web Design: While web design isn’t necessarily a type of graphic design, graphic design is one
element of web design, so it’s worth mentioning here. Why? Because web designers must consider
and combine a variety of design elements, such as layout, images, and typography, to create a user-
friendly, pleasant front-end web design, So, if you can’t figure out how to make a website on your
own, it’s worth reaching out to a web designer. Web design also ties closely with UX and UI design,
which I’ll dive into next.
Years ago, chances are that anytime anyone was talking about "design", they were most likely
referring to graphic design. But with the digital world we live in today, filled with interactive screens
and devices, that idea has changed a bit. It has introduced different kinds of design that can often be
confusing for those outside the design industry. That being said, let’s talk about two types of design
that you have likely heard about but aren’t exactly sure what they are: UX design and UI design.

UX Design

What is UX, exactly? UX design, also known as user experience design, is about enhancing, you
guessed it, the user experience. This specific type of design focuses on the structure and logic of the
design elements that users interact with. UX designers work to improve a product’s usability,
accessibility, and users’ pleasant interaction with the product, with the goal of maximizing customer
satisfaction. This is done by performing both pain point and usability analyses post-product launch.

UI Design

UI Design, or User interface design, pertains to the interactive elements of a design. This type of
design requires a good understanding of users’ needs because it focuses on anticipating what users
will need to do on the device and ensuring that the interface has the elements that make those
actions possible. These elements include things like dropdown lists, toggles, breadcrumbs,
notifications, progress bars, etc. Basically, UI design is expanding the graphic design definition;
designs that have any interactivity are UI, even if they incorporate static images.

Who IS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER?

Now that we’ve covered the different types of graphic design, let’s tackle the next big question:

Who is a graphic designer?

To put it simply, graphic designers are visual communicators and problem solvers.

I give you this broad definition because, considering there are many different types of graphic design,
a career in graphic design can mean many different things. And quite frankly, the profession can tie
back to any of those specializations.

But for the sake of keeping things simple, let’s cover the basics of a career in graphic design. If you
choose to work in graphic design, you can work in a few different settings. You can work for industry-
related companies, like design consultancies or branding agencies (agency graphic designer), work
with any company (in-house graphic designer), or work remotely on top remote companies and
platforms (freelance graphic designer).

Agency Graphic Designer

Many companies hire graphic design agencies to handle their designs for them. So if you’re working
as an agency graphic designer, chances are you’ll be receiving a creative brief from companies to
work on projects for many different brands. If you’re working as an agency designer, you’re expected
to be a design expert. Often times, agency graphic designers are very specialized in areas of graphic
design.
In-house Graphic Designer

If you’re working as an in-house graphic designer, you’re employed by an established company, and
your work revolves around that single brand only. In this scenario, you’re more of a graphic design
generalist so that you can meet all the creative needs of your organization.

Freelance Graphic Designer

Working as a freelance graphic designer is quite possibly the most difficult, in my opinion, because
not only are you expected to handle all design requests, but you’re also responsible for running every
aspect of your business. Sure, there are perks like working on your own time and in your own space,
but you will need knowledge in more areas than just graphic design.

What DOES A GRAPHIC DESIGNER DO?

A graphic designer’s primary job is to create visual concepts that communicate solutions and ideas
that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. To do this, graphic designers combine art and
technology to produce results that resonate with their target audience.

While goals can depend on the type of graphic design, graphic designers are primarily focused on
making whatever organization they are designing for recognizable. They’re there to help build a
brand identity, boost that company’s brand, and communicate their messages through visually
pleasing content.

Graphic design is becoming increasingly important in the marketing and sales of both companies and
products. That being said, graphic designers tend to work closely with public relations and marketing
professionals to better understand how they can communicate the messages that they need to.