When you think about graphic design, have you ever thought about artistic advertising? Graphics that attract the eye to see a website? And the unique writing of an opinion in a magazine? When the example matches the definition of graphic design, then graphic design will be related to posters, book covers, infographics, product labels, logos, mobile apps, website layouts and others.
So what exactly is graphic design? Categorizing graphic design by example is a great start, but it doesn’t cover all of the definitions of graphic design. To explain how general the purpose of graphic design is, it is not enough just to read this one article. A more in-depth explanation will be found when we are in the creative industry.
Graphic design displays graphics and text elements that are applied to many types of media. Graphic design is a communication tool between designers and consumers by bringing messages about projects, events or products.
Companies can use graphic design to sell and promote in advertising, for example, websites that display complex information, then convert them into infographics for easy understanding. And also like a business that develops its company with branding and other things.
Now and then, we pass by a lot of artistic stuff, hidden in the corner of a magazine arranged by designers in such away. It is an important point to remember, as many graphic designs have commercial markets such as advertising and logos.
Fundamentals of graphic design
To better understand the purpose of graphic design, it is essential to know the many elements and principles for creating a plan. Elements can be a link between a visual and the results of a design.
Graphic design has elements such as shape, colour, line, size, pattern, and texture. Graphic designers must also apply design principles, which is very important to follow the workflow to deliver the results as required.
Types of Graphic Design
As we said earlier, there is no solid definition of graphic design. Graphic design has many fields and specialties, from printing and web design to animation and motion graphics. Graphic design offers opportunities and options for someone who has an interest in the area.
Suppose you want to ask someone 40 years ago about the definition of graphic design. Their answer will focus on printing results such as magazines, movie posters and advertising such as billboards. Now we live in the digital age, which is a new kind of graphic design.
Design tools on graphic design
You already know what types of work and specializations cover graphic design; you need to know what tools are used in graphic design. Some devices are minimal, and some agencies have a very high price. Graphic designers usually sketch first on paper, then continue using a computer.
That’s actually what must be understood, computers and design are closely related to today’s digital climate, even if you only use them for printing. The type of computer you need depends on the software you use, for example, Adobe products such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign, which have become very familiar in today’s world.
Lastly, inspiration and ideas are something a graphic designer needs. You must have a strong concept as the foundation of design and communication. These concepts and ideas require working on paper first, and then a computer is used to bring the images into the design.
