Graphic design is the process of visual communication and problem-solving through the use of typography, photography, iconography and illustration. The field is considered a subset of visual communication and communication design, but sometimes the term “graphic design” is used synonymously. Graphic designers create and combine symbols, images and text to form visual representations of ideas and messages.
They use typography, visual arts, and page layout techniques to create visual compositions. Common applications of graphic design include corporate design (logos and branding), editorial design (magazines, newspapers and books), way finding or environmental design, advertising, web design, communication design, product packaging, and signage.
Skills
A graphic design project may involve the stylization and presentation of existing text and either preexisting imagery or images developed by the graphic designer. Elements can be incorporated in both traditional and digital form, which involves the use of visual arts, typography, and page layout techniques. Graphic designers organize pages and optionally add graphic elements. Graphic designers can commission photographers or illustrators to create original pieces. Designers use digital tools, often referred to as interactive design, or multimedia design. Designers need communication skills to convince an audience and sell their designs.
Examples of Graphic Design
- Postcards and flyers
- Magazine and newspaper ads
- Posters, banners and billboards
- Infographics
- Brochures (print and digital)
- Vehicle wraps
- Signage and trade show displays
Tools for graphic design
- Pixlr
- Adobe Creative suite
- Wacom Bamboo
- Visual CSS Tools
- PicMarkr
- DeviantART
- PageCrush
- Icon Finder
- CorelDRAW, etc
Importance of Graphic Design for Businesses
1. Enhance Sales
Thoughtfully created graphic design pieces can help boost up sales. People are attracted to any uniquely designed thing. They get a message from a quality design. The message may be that the company owning the design delivers high quality products or services. People get such messages indirectly in their minds when they see a unique logo design, business card and other such designs. This helps bring people closer to the businesses time and again.
2. Establish Company Name
Graphic designs are also helpful in establishing a company’s name in its niche market. When we see an attractive logo, again and again, it reminds us of the brand behind the logo. Similarly, advertisements, websites, business cards are the designs we all see on daily basis. All these designs refresh our memories of the brand. This helps us recognize the brand name.
3. Build Goodwill in the Market
Also, graphic designs are great tools for earning trust and goodwill in the market. If a logo design or any other graphic design is of good aesthetic value, it fills the viewers with confidence. They have faith in the company’s products or services, if its design elements appeal to the senses. Gradually, an attractive design will help win customers and many of them become loyal to your business.
4. Convey a Brand Message
Graphic design is also a good means of conveying a specific brand message to target customers. A professional designer first wants to know about the message the design should deliver. A brand message makes the design useful. The designer picks specific colors and typefaces to evoke an intended emotion. This emotion then becomes the message of the brand to the potential customers.
5 . Encourage Professionalism
Many companies struggle to create an environment of competitiveness and professionalism amongst their employees. Graphic design makes a lasting impression on your clients and vendors. For example, a logo design that looks aesthetically great speaks volumes about its company’s ways of doing business. A strategically designed logo gives the impression that the company runs its daily affairs of business in a professional manner. That counts a lot for ensuring the growth of a business.
6. Persuasion Power
One of the advantages of graphic design is that it can persuade your customers to think about your business. A well-created brochure design, for example, has the power to make the users a sense of connection to a brand.
7. Readability of Content
A good graphic designer can even enhance the readability of your content that you generate to grab the attention of an audience. The designer does this by picking appropriate typefaces, colors, images, etc.