Talking about graphic design, you imagine many things such as artistic advertisements, cartoons on television, or covers of magazines or books you have read. Graphic design covers many things, including posters, infographics, logos, business cards, Android applications, and computer software.
This discussion will discuss what graphic design is—starting from the definition, benefits, and existing job opportunities. Let us see below.
What is Graphic Design?
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, graphic design communicates specific ideas or messages through visuals or visions. This visual is realized in a simple form like a logo, or as tricky as website design.
Alexander Clufetos, a Creative Designer at Vertex Innovation, said, “Graphic design takes graphic and textual elements and implements them in various types of media.” He claims that graphic design connects a producer to his consumers. Graphic design also functions as a messenger for a product, event, and marketing campaign.
Graphic design can also be used by a company to promote and sell its products through advertisements, websites to convey complex information clearly through infographics, or to develop business through branding.
ProductViz Founder Jacob Smith said, “Every day there are so many artistic things around us, and these elements influence the perception of a graphic design design idea.”
It is important to remember that although many graphic design projects have commercial purposes such as advertisements and logos, graphic design can also be used in other contexts.
Graphic Design Elements
To better understand graphic design, it is important to understand the elements and principles that make up a design. These elements include:
- Color / Color
- Line / Line
- Shape / Shape
- Texture / Texture
- Space / Space
- Form / Form
- Size / Size
These elements are used in conjunction with or in conflict to create a visually striking design and has a good impact. Graphic designers also use design principles, which include Balance (balance), Emphasis (emphasis), movement (movement), patterns, repetition, proportion, rhythm, variation and Unity. Understanding how and when to use these elements and principles is essential to creating a good design.
Types of Graphic Design
As previously mentioned, graphic design is not a generic term. Graphic design consists of many fields and specialties, from print design to Web design, animation, and motion graphics. Graphic design offers opportunities and options for almost any type of interest.
One of the most popular and fast-growing types of graphic design is web design. A web designer must create pages that are easy to use but visually pleasing when seen by visitors or website visitors. They are also responsible for making websites that are accessible and adaptive to various types of devices used. The more businesses that move online, the more necessary a web designer is.
The following are the types of graphic Design:
1. Drafter
The drafter type of graphic design requires special skills in graphic design software such as Archicad, Autocad, and others. Drafter requires a high level of accuracy to create a symmetrical architecture.
2. Editor
Exceptional designer for making magazine covers, covers, banners, and the like. Editors also create graphic design works such as brochures, business cards, pins, logos, and posters. What requires a touch of view and software must be mastered: Corel draw, Adobe Photoshop, Freehand, Illustrator. Much needed in the world of advertising and publication.
3. Layout
Designers are specifically designed to create a layout for a magazine or newspaper, or other publication. They must have a feel for the layout to make it easy on the eyes. While applications that must be mastered are Adobe Page Maker, MS Publisher, Adobe In Design. Very much needed printing and newspaper/book/magazine industry.
4. Art Director
Specialized designers create artwork from computers that can be used for visual effects or just for decoration. It requires high creativity to create a masterpiece to be created. While the software that must be mastered is: Corel draw, Photoshop, Photo paint, Art creator. Much needed in the world of cinema, visualizing artists, photo editing effects.
5. Photographer
In addition to editing photos and being a photographer, an outstanding designer must have the distinctive talent of a photographer and edit photos according to the event or the perfect one. Requires high intelligence, high creativity and must master adobe photoshop, fireworks, photo studio. Much needed in the world of photography, photo editors, journalists, etc.
6. Animator
Specialized designers work in the fields of motion graphics, advertisements, or fantasy films. Must have high endurance, high enough knowledge, experience, and must master Macromedia Flash, Adobe Flash, After Effects, 3d Maya, Gif Animator, and Corel Rave. Needed in the world of advertising, film, television.
7. Visualizer
An exceptional designer who describes a product or work in real / 3d form must have high enough right-brain skills and master 3d Max, Autocad, Swift 3d, Digital Clay. Much needed in the world of product visualization and product presentation.
8. Video Editor
Designers specifically for editing videos or films and also acting as video shooters must have high imagination and must master Adobe After Effects, 3d Maya, Adobe Premiere, Ulead Video Studio, Sony Vegas, Pinnacle. Much needed in the world of film and music industry.
9. Integrated Designer
Specialized designers require integration with programmers such as game creation, interactive cd, web design, etc. Meanwhile, you must master almost all the design elements. Much needed in the informatics industry.
Graphic Design Tools
Graphic designers should continually explore the ideal tools, software, or tools to meet their needs and avoid spending on things they don’t need. They have tips on following trending tools or software updates.
This means that they should invest a little in the latest design tools, technology, software, and tools. By using popular devices and software, they can get more job vacancies in the graphic design field.
You can try the most popular graphci designer–DesignCap.
Advantages of being a Graphic Designer
1. More Creative
As a graphic designer, you can freely express your creativity. If you feel uneasy about your country’s political problems, you can express it by making some designs that satiate how politics is going on.
Today most designers are anxious about pay. Many clients want to get a good design but don’t want to pay a fortune. And the ridiculous thing is, the design must be finished quickly. Some even quipped about the discounted price, free.
2. Work Anywhere / Freelance
Some people say working full-time at the office sometimes makes him lose his creativity, but you can work anywhere you want as a graphic designer. With a note, you are not tied to office hours or as a freelancer.
If you can’t build your design studio, you can start by becoming a freelancer first. Calculate, hone skills, and gain experience.
3. The number of job opportunities
Every type of business needs a graphic designer. If a company is going to do marketing, it will need to design the materials for their marketing weapon. This is where graphic design plays an important role.
As long as the business continues to grow and new businesses continue to emerge, graphic designers will always have a lot of work. As such, the competition is getting tougher every day, so you will need to work harder to get to the surface.
The greater the game, the price war will emerge. Someone will make the lowest price possible to attract potential clients. I don’t think you should blame me for this. But the price determines quality. Definitely. With such a low price, I am sure that the designer will not maximize his design ability.
4. More Appreciated by Others
Graphic design is visual, and most people quickly get attracted to graphics that are attractive and easy on the eyes. As a creator of visual stimuli, it is only natural that you get a lot of recognition for your work and your work.
5. Get more Relationships
Many people will see your design, so you will also meet fellow designers. You can study and exchange ideas with them. You can brainstorm with them about some of the projects you are working on. This will really help your career.
By joining a certain designer, forums can also increase your relationship.
6. Make it easy for information to be shared
It will be easier for people who see the information to digest by conveying information through visuals or images. If they like it, chances are they will share or share your content on their social media accounts. So that your work will be better known in the wider community.
Graphic design is increasingly important as businesses and consumers begin to turn to the internet for fast and easy service. Knowing how to create visually appealing graphics will increase your potential in the job market.
