What is Graphic Designing and How many types are there?

Graphic design uses visual compositions to solve problems and communicate ideas through typography, imagery, color and form. There’s no one way to do that, and that’s why there are several types of graphic design, each with their own area of specialization.

Before seeking design services for your business, understanding the eight types of graphic design will help you find the right skills for the job.

1. Visual identity graphic design

A brand is a relationship between a business or organization and its audience. A brand identity is how the organization communicates its personality, tone and essence, as well as memories, emotions and experiences.

Visual identity graphic design is exactly that: the visual elements of brand identity that act as the face of a brand to communicate those intangible qualities through images, shapes and color.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Marketing & advertising graphic design

When most people think of graphic design, they think of designs created for marketing and advertising.

Companies depend on successful marketing efforts to tap into their target audience’s decision-making process. Great marketing engages people based on the wants, needs, awareness and satisfaction they have about a product, service or brand. Since people will always find visual content more engaging, graphic design helps organizations promote and communicate more effectively.

Examples of marketing 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
  • Email marketing templates
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Menus
  • Social media ads, banners and graphics
  • Banner and retargeting ads
  • Images for websites and blogs

3. User interface graphic design

A user interface (UI) is how a user interacts with a device or application.

UI design is the process of designing interfaces to make them easy to use and provide a user-friendly experience.UI designers specialize in desktop apps, mobile apps, web apps and games.

 

Examples of user interface graphic design

  • Web page design
  • Theme design (WordPress, Shopify, etc.)
  • Game interfaces
  • App design

4. Publication graphic design

Publications are long-form pieces that communicate with an audience through public distribution. They have traditionally been a print medium. Think books, newspapers, magazines and catalogs. However, there’s recently been a significant rise in digital publishing.

 

Examples of publication graphic design

  • Books
  • Newspapers
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
  • Annual reports
  • Magazines
  • Catalogs

5. Packaging graphic design

Most products require some form of packaging to protect and prepare them for storage, distribution, and sale. But packaging design can also communicate directly to consumers, which makes it an extremely valuable marketing tool. Every box, bottle and bag, every can, container, or canister is a chance tell the story of a brand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Motion graphic design

Simply put, motion graphics are graphics that are in motion. This can include animation, audio, typography, imagery, video and other effects that are used in online media, television and film. The medium’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years as technology improved and video content became king.

 

Examples of motion graphic design

  • Title sequences and end credits
  • Advertisements
  • Animated logos
  • Trailers
  • Presentations
  • Promotional videos
  • Tutorial videos
  • Websites
  • Apps
  • Video games
  • Banners
  • GIFs

7. Environmental graphic design

Environmental graphic design visually connects people to places to improve their overall experience by making spaces more memorable, interesting, informative or easier to navigate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Art and illustration for graphic design

Graphic art and illustration are often seen as being the same as graphic design, however they’re each very different. Designers create compositions to communicate and solve problems, graphic artists and illustrators create original artwork. Their art takes a number of forms, from fine art to decoration to storytelling illustrations.

 

Examples of art and illustration for graphic design

  • T-shirt design
  • Graphic patterns for textiles
  • Motion graphics
  • Stock images
  • Graphic novels
  • Video games
  • Websites
  • Comic books
  • Album art
  • Book covers
  • Picture books
  • Infographics
  • Technical illustration
  • Concept art