There are different types of graphic design or areas of specialization that any aspiring graphic designer should know. On the one hand, to know which are the job opportunities of this profession and on the other hand, to find out which area is more in line with your personality and motivations.
In this article we will show a general outline of the different types of graphic design so that you have a global vision of this fascinating industry.
10 Areas or Types of Graphic Design
Although there may be different ways to categorize the types of graphic design, for this article we have made an intensive search to find the largest number of niches or specialties within the industry, based on the premise that they are areas in which a graphic designer could specialize and devote himself exclusively to it to make a living.
Editorial Design
Editorial design is the creation and visual organization of content intended for publication. 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.
It is the understanding of text and visual elements in a defined space. The editorial designer must be an expert in typography, understanding color, composition and have a strong understanding of how readers interact with the material, whether printed or digital.
Branding: Corporate Identity or Brand Design
Corporate identity design, also called branding, is the coherent and distinctive visual whole that represents an organization or company. It goes far beyond logo design: it is the visual DNA of a brand, encompassing color palettes, typefaces, image styles and any other graphic element that can be used to present the company’s image to the public.
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Think of some of the world’s most recognizable brands. 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 thorough 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 connect with them. Of course, a designer specialized in corporate identity must have a series of skills that go 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, transmitting messages intended to inform, persuade and motivate.
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 gives life and tangible form to this narrative
One of the first aspects considered in advertising design is composition. As in 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 visual elements? What path does the viewer’s gaze follow when looking at the ad? These are essential questions for the advertising designer to ask.
In addition to the graphic aspect, expert advertising designers have extensive knowledge of psychology and marketing ( color psychology being one of their 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 nowadays. 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. He or she must have knowledge of how users typically interact with web content in order 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 offer meaningful and relevant experiences for users. This approach encompasses the design of the entire interaction, from the navigation and interface structure to the emotions and responses it is intended to evoke 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, also known as UI design, is 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 it feels during 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 typography should be easily understandable and guide the user through the functionality of the application 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 build visually from their imagination. It has found its way into a variety of media, including books, magazines, advertisements, websites and mobile apps.
Throughout history, illustration has been the essential medium for communicating. 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 attract the viewer’s attention. For example, in a scientific article, an illustration can help visualize a complicated concept, while in children’s literature, it can bring fictional characters and worlds to life, feeding the reader’s imagination.
The illustration design process generally begins with a clear understanding of the message or concept to be conveyed. 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 a product is presented, protected and promoted in the marketplace. But it goes beyond just containing a product; it’s about first impressions, telling a story and establishing a connection with the consumer.
On a functional level, packaging must ensure that the product reaches the consumer in perfect condition. This means considering aspects such as protection against external factors, ease of transport and storage. However, at the design level, the focus expands far beyond mere functionality and the ultimate goal is to create a unique shopping experience, from the moment the user sees the product in the store to the moment he or she opens the package.
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, motion graphics have been gaining more and more ground and importance due to their dynamic nature that makes it easier to capture the audience’s attention in a world where this task is becoming more and more 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 attractive to 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 textiles, whether for clothing, home décor, accessories or other applications. It is a discipline that combines creativity with functionality, and plays an 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 deep understanding of material properties and production techniques in order to achieve the desired results.
Do you know other branches of Graphic Design? Write us your comment
We know that there are other types of graphic design, such as typography design or signage design. If you know other areas or niches of graphic design that you think it is important to include in this article, do not hesitate to write a comment and tell us which branch of design you think is very important and is not in this list.