Graphic design is a form of visual communication that when done effectively can persuade, inform, enhance, and convey a certain meaning or message.
There are eleven basic graphic design disciplines.
- Branding and Identity Design- Creating an image that has a consistent appearance, making it easily recognizable to the audience.
- Corporate Communication Design- Any visual communication used internally or externally by a business with the goal of keeping a consistent corporate voice.
- Editorial Design- Also known as publication design. Deals with editorial content for print or screen, such as books, magazines, and blogs.
- Environmental Design- Promotional, informational, or identity design in a specific environment, constructed or natural.
- Illustration- Creating a unique image to enhance a piece of printed, digital, or spoken text.
- Information Design- This is a highly specialized form of design. It involves making large amounts of information very clear to the reader, in an easy and accessible way.
- Interactive and Experience Design- Used for screen based media where the reader is meant to interact with and engage in the design.
- Motion Graphics- Screen based communication such as film title design, TV graphics, e-mail videos, and video openers.
- Package Design- This includes the complete design of the form, structure, and appearance of a product's packaging.
- Promotional Design and Advertising- Creates specific messages to promote a brand or a group. Can be used in many different mediums.
- Typographic Design- A very specialized form of design which focuses on the creation of letters and type. This can include digital or hand lettering.
There are many places of employment for a graphic designer, and many experienced designers are self employed. It's advised that a student should get some experience through an internship and attend AIGA meetings whenever possible.
Collaboration with others is a huge part of graphic design.
Graphic design and ethics go hand in hand. It is the responsibility of the designer to take social responsibility with the messages they are sending out. These messages can greatly influence people.
