There are different types of graphic design or areas of specialization that any aspiring graphic designer should know about. On the one hand, to find out what the job opportunities of this profession are and on the other. To find which area is most related to their personality and motivations.
In this article we are going to show a general outline of the different types of graphic design so that you have a global vision of this fascinating industry.
10 Types of Graphic Design
Although there may be different ways to categorize the types of graphic design. For this article we have done an intensive search to find the largest number of niches or specialties within the sector. Based on the premise that they are areas in which a graphic designer could specialize and dedicate himself exclusively to it to make a living.
Editorial Design
Editorial design is the creation and visual organization of content intended to be published. Although we commonly associate it with books, magazines, and newspapers. This type of design also encompasses newsletters, catalogs, annual programs, and any other type of print or digital publication. It is the art of presenting information in a clear. Legible and attractive way, so that the reading experience is pleasant and efficient for the user.
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It is the understanding of text and visual elements in a defined space. The editorial designer must be an expert in typography, color understanding, composition, and have a strong understanding of how readers interact with material. Whether print or digital.
Branding: Corporate Identity or Brand Design
Corporate identity design, also called branding, is the coherent and distinctive visual set that represents an organization or company. It goes far beyond the logo design: it is the visual DNA of a brand, encompassing color palette, typographies, image styles and any other graphic element that can be used to present the company’s image to the public.
Think of some of the most recognizable brands in the world. Whether it’s the Apple logo, Coca-Cola’s red-and-white color scheme, or Nike’s iconic “swoosh,” each of these elements has been carefully designed to evoke a specific set of emotions, values, and perceptions in the consumer’s mind. But corporate identity goes a step beyond simply wanting to be recognized: it is a promise, a statement of what the company stands for and how it wants to be perceived.
The branding process begins with a deep understanding of the company: what its mission, vision, values, and target audience are. From this foundation, designers can begin to create visual elements that effectively convey these concepts to the public and also connect with them. Of course, a designer specializing in corporate identity must have a series of knowledge that goes beyond design.
Advertising Design
Advertising design is a fusion between art and strategic communication. It is the visual medium through which brands connect with their target audience, conveying messages aimed at informing, persuading, and motivating.
What is the main goal of advertising? The promotion of a product, service or idea. However, in practice, it is much more complex than simple communication. It’s about telling a story, creating a promise, and establishing an emotional bond. This is where design comes into play as the tool that brings this narrative to life and a tangible form
One of the first aspects considered in advertising design is composition. As with any work of art, the way elements are arranged within a space can greatly influence the perception and reception of the message. Where is the product placed? How does it interact with other visuals? What path does the viewer’s gaze follow when observing the advertisement? These are essential questions that the advertising designer should ask himself.
In addition to the graphic aspect, expert designers and advertising have extensive knowledge about psychology and marketing. (Color psychology being one of his specialties)
Web Design
As you can imagine, due to the importance of the digital world in today’s society, web design has become a very relevant discipline today. It goes beyond simply creating aesthetically pleasing web pages; it involves building interactive and accessible experiences for users.
The web designer must go far beyond the design of the elements that make up a web page. You need to have knowledge about how users typically interact with web content to provide them with the best possible experience.
UX Design: User Experience Design
User Experience Design, commonly called UX Design, focuses on creating digital products that deliver meaningful and relevant experiences for users. This approach encompasses the design of the entire interaction. From the navigation and structure of the interface to the emotions and responses that are intended to be evoked in users.
The word “experience” is key in UX design. Rather than focusing solely on aesthetics or functionality. UX seeks to understand how the user feels when interacting with a product. This encompasses aspects such as ease of use, efficiency, accessibility, and ultimately, user satisfaction.
UI Design: User Interface Design
User interface design, known as UI Design, consists of the design of interactive interfaces for software, applications, and web pages, with a particular focus on visual appearance and aesthetics. While UX design focuses on the overall user experience and how they feel during the interaction. UI design focuses on how that interaction looks and is presented.
One of the main goals of UI design is to ensure that the interface is clear, intuitive, and consistent. This means that buttons, icons, colors, and typographies should be easily understandable and guide the user through the functionality of the app or website efficiently.
Illustration Design
Illustration design is a branch of graphic design that focuses on creating images that communicate a message, tell a story, or represent ideas and concepts. Illustration offers unparalleled artistic freedom, allowing designers and artists to interpret, stylize and visually build from their imagination. It has found its place in a variety of media, including books, magazines, advertisements, web pages, and mobile apps.
Throughout history, illustration has been the essential means of communication. From ancient cave paintings to modern infographics, images have served to transcend linguistic, cultural, and temporal barriers.
Each illustration is a unique solution to a communication problem. It can simplify complex concepts, add personality and emotion to a narrative, or simply grab the viewer’s attention. For example, in a scientific paper, an illustration can help visualize a complicated concept, while in children’s literature. It can bring fictional characters and worlds to life, feeding and the reader’s imagination.
The illustration design process usually begins with a clear understanding of the message or concept you want to convey. From there, the illustrator experiments with sketches, shapes, colors and styles until a visual representation is achieved that connects with the target audience and is effective.
Packaging Design
Packaging design, or packaging design, plays a fundamental role in the way in which a product is presented, protected and promoted in the market. But it goes beyond just containing a product. It’s about first impressions, telling a story, and making a connection with the consumer.
On a functional level, the packaging must guarantee that the product reaches the consumer in perfect condition. This involves considering aspects such as protection from external factors, ease of transport and storage. However, in the field of design, the focus expands far beyond mere functionality and the ultimate goal is to create a unique shopping experience. Ranging from the moment the user sees the product in the store until they open the packaging.
Motion Graphics
Motion graphics design is a discipline of visual design that combines graphic elements with animation to tell a story or communicate a message in a dynamic way. From movie titles to commercials and presentations. Animated graphics have been gaining more and more ground and importance due to their dynamic nature that makes it easier to capture the attention of the public in a world where this task becomes increasingly complicated due to the enormous amount of stimuli of all kinds to which we are subjected in our daily lives.
One of the main strengths of motion graphics is its ability to simplify complex information. Using a combination of text, images, symbols, and movements it is possible to condense and present complicated data, statistics, or concepts in a way that is understandable and engaging for the audience. Basically, it transforms static information into a visually rich and immersive experience.
Textile design
Textile design is the creation of designs and patterns for fabrics and fabrics. Whether for clothing, home décor, accessories, or other applications. It is a discipline that combines creativity with functionality, and plays a very important role in how we experience and perceive fashion and the spaces we inhabit.
Textile designers must not only consider how a pattern looks. But also how it feels to the touch, how the fabric moves, and how it interacts with the body or space. This requires a thorough understanding of material properties and production techniques in order to obtain the desired results.