Graphic design uses visual compositions to solve problems and communicate ideas through typography, imagery, color, and form. There’s no one way to do that, and that’s why there are several types of graphic design, each with their own area of specialization.
According to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), graphic design is defined as “the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content.” In other terms, the graphic design communicates certain ideas or messages in a visual way. These visuals can be as simple as a business logo, or as complex as page layouts on a website.
To better understand the meaning of the graphic design, it is important to be aware of the elements and principles that make up a design.
These graphic design elements include:
Color
Form
Line
Shape
Size
Space
Texture
The principles of design are the rules a designer must follow to create an effective composition that cleanly delivers a message to her audience.
The most important, fundamental principles of design include:
Emphasis
Balance
Alignment
Contrast
Repetition
Proportion
Movement
White space
As mentioned earlier, there is no single graphic design meaning. Graphic design is composed of many fields and specializations, ranging from print and web design to animation and motion graphics. Whether you are an aspiring designer or seeking design services for your business, understanding the eight types of graphic design will help you find the right skills for the job.
The 8 types of Graphic Design are:
Visual identity graphic design
Marketing & advertising graphic design
User interface graphic design
Publication graphic design
Packaging graphic design
Motion graphic design
Environmental graphic design
Art and illustration for graphic design
Whether you are an amateur graphic designer or an experienced digital artist, using the right tools can multiply your talent exponentially. A well-built graphic design software provides intuitive controls and flexibility that can be easily understood by a beginner but also has vastly superior tools for an experienced user.
Adobe Photoshop
Sketch
Adobe Illustrator
Affinity Designer
Adobe InDesign
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019
Xara Designer Pro X
GIMP
Gravit Designer
Inkscape
Vectr
Canva
PixTeller
Design Wizard
Infinite Design
Adobe Comp
With technological advancements introducing new types of graphic design, there has also been an emergence of new graphic design jobs. This evolution has changed the entire landscape of careers in this field.
Graphic designer
User experience (UX) designer
Web designer
Art director
Creative director
As you can see, once armed with the proper knowledge and training, there are several graphic design job options out there. You have the ability to cater to your career to your personal skills and interests.