What is graphic design?
Graphic design is the process of making information easier to understand at a glance. When we say a picture is worth a thousand words, we are acknowledging the power of information transmitted visually. Graphic design is the art and science of optimized visual communications.
Examples of graphic design you may recognize:
- Logos, visual identity and branding
- Annual reports, books, magazines
- Websites
- Print Advertising
- Exhibitions
- Posters, billboards, tradeshow banners
Creativity in problem-solving
Graphic design is one of several design disciplines including architecture, product design, fashion, packaging design, and interior design. The common thread amongst them is that the design disciplines are all concerned with the creative, unique solutions for the form, shape, colors, structure, efficiency, usability of the subjects, whether buildings, written communications, products, etc.
Design seeks to categorize, organize, compare, structure, and elucidate, while at the same time adding personal creativity and originality. Design disciplines are often thought of as problem-solving disciplines: how many ways can a watch face be conceived? How many ways can a dress be created? An annual report? A home? An automobile? How can we improve on the solutions already conceived?
Skills needed by graphic designers
A graphic designer learns to be a renaissance man or woman. To effectively create new graphic designs, we must be aware of the past, current trends, cultural differences. Graphic designers need curiousity, a thirst for knowledge, a desire to create, and the skills to do so. Graphic designers do well to develop skills and knowledge in many areas:
- creative thinking
- how to develop creative ideas
- how to discuss creative ideas with clients
- cultural imagery
- history of art and design
- effects of culture on design solutions
- color theory
- how to choose effective colors for a project
- how to work with color schemes already developed
- how culture affects perception of color
- page layout
- how to balance elements on a single page and on a two-page spread
- how to develop page grids for overall page structure, especially for longer projects
- design patterns, or what makes a book a book, a magazine a magazine, etc.
- typography
- understanding of the difference between serif, sans serif, slab serif typefaces. Understanding the difference between old style faces, transitional, modern, and ornamental typefaces.
- how to mix faces in a design, for instance using a sans serif title with a serif body type
- photography and illustration
- how to use photography and illustration creatively to add visual content to a layout
- how to art-direct photographers and illustrators to create imagery that works in the project
- paper stock knowledge
- how to choose papers for a project, depending on the printing technology chosen
- understanding paper weights
- printing technology knowledge
- which printing technology to use: offset reproduction, letterpress, inkless printing, variable data printing
- envelope sizes: for planning finished piece sizes to be mailed, to work together efficiently and cost-effectively
- computer skills
- familiarity with page layout programs, photography programs, illustration programs, as well as general office programs
- writing skills
- ability to prepare estimates, contracts, proposals
- ability to write business-quality emails and letters