Graphic Design
"Starting from humble beginnings, I've honed my design skills through practice, perseverance, and a genuine love for visual storytelling. I aim to create designs that not only communicate effectively but also evoke an emotional response." — Walt Viviers
When you think about graphic design, what comes to mind? Are you picturing stylish and creative individuals with a tablet in one hand and a pen in the other? Maybe you imagine them as lone professionals working away in a dimly lit room, immersed in design software. Or perhaps you see them as artists, bringing their creative vision to life.
But what does graphic design really mean? Is it all about creating eye-catching graphics for websites? While that certainly falls within the realm of what graphic designers can do, the field encompasses so much more. They can design posters, infographics, book covers, product labels, logos, business cards, signs, website layouts, mobile apps, software interfaces—the possibilities are endless.
According to Jacob Smith, the founder of illustration studio ProductViz, “Every day, we often overlook the subtly artistic things around us. But within every magazine, exit sign, and textbook, there are design ideas that shape our perceptions.”
Graphic designers use visual elements to communicate ideas, shape perceptions, and inform their audience. Many graphic designers work for clients or companies, creating designs that fulfil specific objectives. They are often regarded as artists too.
The graphic design industry is vast, offering a multitude of options for anyone interested in pursuing it as a career. So, what exactly is graphic design?
Graphic design, as defined by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA®), is “the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content.” In simple terms, graphic designers use visuals to convey messages. These visuals can range from a simple business logo to complex page layouts on a website.
According to graphic designer Alexandros Clufetos, graphic design helps producers connect with consumers. It conveys the message of a project, event, campaign, or product.
Companies utilise graphic design concepts to promote and sell products through advertising, present complex information in a user-friendly format (such as infographics), develop brand identities, and much more. While most companies hire graphic designers for commercial purposes, many designers also use their work as a form of artistic expression.
So, what are the elements of graphic design? A graphic designer employs various elements to create impactful visuals. These elements include colour, form, line, shape, size, space, and texture. Additionally, graphic designers follow design principles, which serve as guidelines for achieving appealing compositions. These principles include balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, proportion, and rhythm. A skilled graphic designer understands these principles and uses them intentionally in each project.
The tasks that a graphic designer can work on are diverse, offering opportunities for individuals with different interests. Here’s a glimpse of some tasks a graphic designer might undertake:
Website design: Creating engaging and user-friendly web pages, including layout, colour schemes, and navigation.
User experience (UX) design: Ensuring that websites or applications are easy and enjoyable to use, focusing on factors like usability, adoptability, and desirability.
User interface (UI) design: Designing the visual aspects and layout of applications to make them user-friendly. This field can be a great option for graphic designers.
Motion graphics design: Bringing visual elements to life through special effects, videos, TV shows, video games, movies, and more.
Print media design: Designing billboards, pamphlets, textbooks, menus, signage, print ads, and other types of print materials.
Marketing materials: Creating visually appealing advertisements for various industries, promoting products or services.
Now, you might wonder about the stability of the graphic design industry. With technological advancements and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), some may question the future of this career. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of graphic designers is projected to grow by 3 percent from 2022 to 2032. The industry offers approximately 22,800 job openings each year, on average.
The largest employers of graphic designers are companies that provide specialised design services, advertising, public relations, and related services.
As for the tools used by graphic designers, while a sketchbook is a basic and affordable tool, most of the work is done using computer software. Designers rely on programs like Adobe Photoshop®, Adobe Illustrator®, and Adobe InDesign®. These software tools enable them to create designs effectively. Additionally, graphic designers need to possess other skills beyond design, such as time management, communication, adaptability to feedback and collaboration, and project management.
For freelance graphic designers, there’s the added aspect of attracting clients, budgeting, invoicing, filing taxes, and building a professional portfolio that showcases their work.
As you can see, being a graphic designer requires more than just a good eye for colour. Technical skills, knowledge of design principles, and proficiency in various software tools are essential for success in this field.
