Download what is graphic design?

WHAT IS GRAPHIC DESIGN?
A form of visual communication used to
convey a message or information to an
audience; it is a visual representation of an
idea relying on the creation, selection, and
organization of visual elements.
Or simply: solving visual problems.
THE GRAPHIC DESIGN
PROFESSION
A few categories of Graphic Design
ADVERTISING
Generating and creating specific visual and verbal
messages constructed to inform, persuade, promote,
provoke, or motivate people on behalf of a brand or
group.
•Print
•Television Commercials
•Radio
•Outdoor advertisements
•Banner ads
•Much more
ADVERTISING
ADVERTISING
BRANDING
A comprehensive & strategic program for a
brand, industry, or organization. The emotional
connection between customers and a business.
•Brand names
•Brand identity
•Package design
•Environmental design
•Websites
•More
BRANDING
BRANDING
IDENTITY DESIGN
The creation of a systematic visual and
verbal program to establish a consistent
visual appearance and personality – a
visual identity. Identity design has a
narrower focus than branding.
•Logos
•Visual identity
•Corporate identity
•Branding across media
IDENTITY DESIGN
IDENTITY DESIGN
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
Promotions, information, or identity design in
constructed or natural environments and
defining and marking interior or exterior
commercial, educational, cultural, residential,
and natural environments.
•Corporate headquarters
•Civic developments
•Architectural interiors
•Trade shows
•Conference booths
•Museums
•Environmental way-finding (integrated signage)
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
INFORMATION DESIGN
A highly specialized area of design that involves
making large amounts of complex information clear
and accessible to audiences of one or several hundred
thousand
•Charts
•Graphs
•Signs
•Pictograms
•Icons
•Websites
•Widgets
INFORMATION DESIGN
INFORMATION DESIGN
INTERACTIVE/EXPERIENCE
DESIGN
Graphic design and advertising for screenbased media.
•Web
•Mobile
•Widget
•Kiosks
•CDs
•DVDs
INTERACTIVE/EXPERIENCE
DESIGN
INTERACTIVE/EXPERIENCE
DESIGN
MOTION GRAPHICS
Screen-based moving sequentially in
duration. Non-interactive
•Film/television titles/credits
•Television graphics
•Videos
MOTION GRAPHICS
MOTION GRAPHICS
PACKAGE DESIGN
Planning and designing of the form,
structure, and appearance of a
product’s package, which functions as
casing, promotion, information
presentation, and becomes a brand
experience.
•Packaged goods
•CDs
•Shopping bags
PACKAGE DESIGN
PACKAGE DESIGN
PROMOTIONAL DESIGN
Introduce, promote, or sell brands, ideas, events and
introduce or promote groups, not-for-profit
organizations, and social causes.
•CD covers
•Book covers
•Posters
•Packaging
•Flyers
•Catalogs
•Direct mail
•Invitations
•Announcements
•Much more
PROMOTIONAL DESIGN
PROMOTIONAL DESIGN
PUBLICATION DESIGN
The design of editorial content for print or screen.
Makes content accessible and interprets content to
enhance communication, enhance a reader’s
experience, create visual interest, and establish a
voice, character, and structure for a publication.
•Book design
•Magazines
•Newspapers
•Newsletters
•Booklets
•Online publications
PUBLICATION DESIGN
PUBLICATION DESIGN
TYPOGRAPHIC DESIGN
A highly specialized area of design
focusing on the creation and design
of letterforms, typefaces, and type
treatments.
•Font creation
•Lettering – hand drawn letterforms
TYPOGRAPHIC DESIGN
TYPOGRAPHIC DESIGN
MASS MEDIA
Lots of overlap if you haven’t
noticed.
Many of these categories can utilize
different media, such as print,
screen-based, unconventional, and
film.
THE NATURE AND IMPACT OF
VISUAL COMMUNICATION
•Is the viewer’s interpretation of
graphic design/advertising
important?
•Is Graphic design an art that allows
self expression?
•Or is it a discipline that can be
tested, quantified, and scientifically
evaluated?
EPHEMERAL AND LASTING
Most graphic design is ephemeral by
nature – people don’t keep it.
However, there are many
applications like posters, books, CDs,
ads, and many more that people DO
keep and enjoy.
WORKING IN VISUAL
COMMUNICATION
•Design studios
•Branding firms
•Publishers
•Marketing firms
•Advertising agencies
•Organizations with in-house design
departments
•Self-employment/Freelance
•Much more
COLLABORATION
Graphic designers solve visual communications
problems. Now, more so than ever, graphic
designers collaborate with other people in their
daily work.
•Clients – determining problems and solutions
•Programmers – creating web interfaces
•Writers – book cover design/typography
•Photographers – advertisement photo session
•Illustrators – Poster design
•Copywriters – Newspaper layout
WHY DESIGN MATTERS
•Visual communication drives the
economy
•Provides information to the public
•Promotes competition (which results in
the development of goods and services)
•Informs the public on social and
political issues
ETHICS
Visual communication professionals
are among the leading architects of
mass communication and its
artifacts, creating images that reflect,
help delineate, and describe
contemporary society.
With that power comes
responsibility.