The 6 Types Of Graphic Design

Graphic design mainly involves using visual elements to cater to the needs of a brand or business by helping them reach out to the people and convey their ideas. The different styles and types of graphic design look after the different needs of the business.

The design industry undergoes constant changes, the designers have to keep on learning the new methods and techniques coming up in the industry. Even though the basic skill set is similar for all types of graphic designing, every type has certain skills and techniques unique to it and the purpose it serves. Graphic designing tips for beginners specifies the skill sets for a designer or even a non-designer to be able to utilise the creativity to come up with a meaningful design.

To know the extent of services Motion graphic designers can help us with, we need to know more about the types of graphic design.

1. Visual design

This is primarily for building a brand identity. It is imperative for the brand to establish a connection between the brand and the consumer. The brand identity is how this connection builds and the brand ideas and experiences get communicated.

Lets say you meet a person for the first time, it is the physical properties that you capture at first glance, in turn making an opinion about them.

Similarly, when it comes to brands, the first impression they create on the consumer is important. This happens through the visual elements that reach them, logo, color schemes, fonts and types etc. These play a vital role in developing the first connect with the brand. A Brand management company in Mumbai believes that for a brand to be accepted by the masses, it first needs to appeal to the masses. A brand can appeal to the masses only if the code it works by strikes a chord with the audience.

Image courtesy: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/385691155586580113/

When designing for a brand, the colours, graphics, fonts are all designed keeping in mind the idea of the business owner, and the best representation of it.

2. Marketing and Advertising design

The companies use the method of graphic design to appeal to the customers’ visual senses. To ensure the brand awareness of the business, a good strategy of marketing is important. A good strategy of marketing involves good communication with the target audience. The idea behind marketing is to engage with your consumer and deliver what the consumers need and expect.

To reach out to the consumers, a business invests in Magazine and newspaper ads, Posters,  billboards, Brochures (print and digital), Signage, Social media ads etc. Not just these but businesses also use content marketing, social media marketing through various digital channels, search engine optimization, to attract consumers. All these, on various digital and print platforms, reach out to consumers and spread awareness about your business.

The designer for all these understands the purpose and the target audience on every medium to get more successful results.

Berger Paints: A billboard produced by JWT agency from India, which implemented optical illusion to express the message, ‘Natural Finish Colours’, in a clear manner.

Image courtesy: https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/brilliant-creative-billboard-advertisements/

Image courtesy: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/559783428658743292/

A post by OREO with a message ‘ Nothing else matters’.

3. Packaging Design

To store, distribute and sell the product we need to package them. Since packaging is going to reach the people, what better than designing it in a way that it speaks for the brand to the people. The packaging, at times, attracts people to try the product, enhancing their sales.

The packaging designers need to have knowledge and understanding of the printing process, industrial design and manufacturing. Since it communicates the brand ideals, the designer has to have an all-around approach for the packaging design, balancing usability and visual appeal.

4. UI/UX Design

The UI (user interface) or UX(User experience) is the design of the user interface of devices like mobile phones, electric appliances, home appliances, and other electrical devices with an intention of increasing usability and user experience.

The UI design is a combination of visual appeal and technicalities. Hence, the designer needs to be aware of both the skills in order to deliver a product that functions well and also is aesthetically sound. The colours, movements of the user, buttons etc, have to be designed keeping the user in mind. If you’re looking for a platform to start your journey in UI/UX design, Figma is one of the best apps to try. Visit thedesignership.com for a Figma masterclass or other UI/UX design courses online.

UI designers design for desktop apps, mobile apps, web apps and games. They work along with UX (user experience) designers (who determine how the app works) and UI developers (who write code to make it work).

Image courtesy: https://medium.com/collect-ui-design-ui-ux-inspiration-blog/ui-interaction-gifs-of-the-month-july-2018-c96837a1d6d1

5. Publication Design

This is one of the oldest forms of media. The publication design is the combination of text and images, to provide a reader-friendly material which can successfully engage the audience.

The extent of publications design is from journals, books to magazines.  Each publication works for a different purpose like academic, fashion, novels etc. Though all the publications are different from one another with respect to content, composition, binding, print, paper, type, one thing that is common for all is a good layout with legible content and engaging images and graphics.

Image courtesy: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/738168195151926598/

6. Motion Graphics

Quite literally, they are graphics that are moving. This type of design was initially used for film and television but now has emerged in digital marketing as well. A motion graphics can include elements like animation, video, imagery, audio or other effects used to make the graphics interesting. With technological developments, the visual medium is gaining more importance in various sectors.

Motion graphics designers add life to static storyboard designs by using animation, video and other effects. Depending on the industry, a strong working knowledge of marketing, coding and 3D modelling can benefit the designer.

Image courtesy: https://milled.com/LOFT/how-much-off-nKv9WjSsbksbq9Yx

Image courtesy: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/361836151310232617/

Graphic designing is a consistently developing field, and the need for a particular and skilled designer is on the ascent. Knowing the various kinds of graphic design will enable you to recognize the one that you need and will solve your purpose.

Author Bio: Rucha is a content writer and graphic designer at Walnut Folks. She has a degree in Architecture from the Pune University. She loves to write articles and english poetry. With a combination of design and writing skills, she aspires to explore domains of marketing and journalism. Travelling, good music and movies keep her going.