One of the most predominant forms of communication today is the graphic design. Despite what is thought, this profession does not have an artistic purpose (although it can be considered an art), but its task is communicate and inform through illustrations.
in graphic design Each element has a function and a reason for being, which is why many types of graphic design have emerged that are used for different purposes such as selling, making people aware and staying in people's minds.
▷You may also be interested in: The 7 Best Graphic Design Programs ▷
What are Graphic Designs?
Graphic design is a profession that uses the visual compositions to communicate a message, almost always persuasive and with previously established goals. For this, media such as illustration, digital painting, art, writing, among other things, are used.
A graphic designer is not someone who makes a nice and visually appealing drawing, but rather someone whose work has a communicative meaning and can make people think. Each part of that composition means something, and that is the essence of graphic design.
The 8 Types of Graphic Designs Today
Based on the above, some are identified in the market types of graphic designs depending on the form of composition, the media used and its purpose, whether business or corporate, advertising, illustrative, among others.
1. Editorial graphic design
One of the most important and used throughout history. Editorial graphic design works so that every aspect of a written medium (magazine, catalogue, guide, newspaper, etc…) is harmoniously structured in terms of content and wording.
Here the photographs have to be of good quality and be located at visually strategic points, so that readers' attention is focused on them without losing the meaning of reading, which has an indispensable value.
On the other hand, editorial graphic design makes sure to choose the fonts suitable typographical and related to the topic, the separation between words and their line spacing, which also make sense with the company's identity.
All these reasons make graphic design a vital piece for the composition of an editorial format, because they also take into account the suitable colors, using pallets that can support printing equipment, etc…
2. Web or programming graphic design
El graphic design of programming Not only does it work with the design profession, but it must also necessarily go hand in hand with programming, since any element created must be linked to a specific code.
And, taking into account that these design works are oriented to web pages, software and mobile applications, blogs, online platforms, among others, a structural order must be followed in dimensions, locations, colors, and more.
Web graphic design does not neglect the creative point of view at all. In fact, it is important that each illustrative work is genuine and meets a visual harmony, because this will determine whether end users become familiar with the service.
These take care of create the graphical interface, develop the icons, upload the images and photographs, establish the banners and ribbons, add the colors chosen for each site and many other considerations.
3. Photographic design
Photography fits into almost all categories, because they are powerfully useful for communicating. However, the composition itself, the quality or the values used for the capture are not the only important thing, but now it is also necessary to edit them.
El photographic design works with editing programs to improve the characteristics of a photo, so that colors can be adjusted, possible errors can be eliminated when taking the photo, as well as large or small changes can be added.
With this branch you can go from a simple editing of brightness and saturation change, to making a complex assembly in which you remove the background, add new graphic elements to the work or simply incorporate some type of text.
4. Illustration
The characters and backgrounds of your video games favorites, the drawings you find in image banks and even the mascots of the products on the market, are part of a complex graphic design process known as illustration.
Illustration is a form of design in which drawings, lines and vectors are used to create a visual and inanimate concept. It is complemented by colors, but they are composed of a lot of technicalities that end up giving it the expected harmony.
Likewise, the graphic design of illustration It always has to be artistic, although the message being communicated, the type of tools used, specialized software, among others, are taken into account more.
5. Animation
Turning a static drawing into an animated, moving element is another way of graphic design. –and one of the most complex to achieve–. Animation work is closely linked to illustration, since a concept must first be composed.
Animation can be traditional, stop motion or through advanced programs like Blender, but regardless of the choice of project, it is important to take into account elements such as frames per second, duration and even the paths are well structured.
Of course, the animator has to be extremely creative and have a Complete knowledge in the use of digital tools or physical, because the animation style, colors used and other details must be established in drafts.
6. 3D design
Un 3D design It can be animated or static, so the need to establish a different branch in this discipline arises from this. Here, works are made that have depths, simulations and colors.
3D design has been used a lot nowadays to create video game characters, make audiovisual cartoons or generate illustrations with three-dimensional style.
It is essential to use programs and applications that specialize in the modulation of 3D graphic designs, which are generally very complex and have thousands of tools, in addition to require powerful equipment and computers.
7. Corporate design
A company without a graphic identity It is not a nobody in the market. This is the visible face that is presented to consumers, competitors and the rest of the world and that must be closely related to the values, missions and visions of a corporation.
So in corporate design it is in charge of make professional logos for the organization, with fonts, colors, separations, illustrations and everything that has a meaning or represents something in particular within the brand.
Not forgetting that you can also define the type of colors that can be used physically in the company's facilities, business cards and all the corporate rules linked to the field of graphic design.
8. Packaging and Merchandising Design
Perhaps the Packaging and Merchandising design whichever one has the best financial compensation. Its mission is to work on the creation of packaging and the entire set of graphics and messages that are printed to attract buyers.
In fact, this is one of the most valued types of graphic design because it requires exhaustive research, layout and illustration work so that the final product is as good as possible. attractive enough and managed to make many sales.
It should also be noted that graphic design not only sells, but also positions itself in the minds of consumers to be a reference in the future, a task that is not far from graphics.
Conclusions
If you are thinking about studying a graphic design career or want to dedicate yourself professionally to this discipline, you should know that you can work perfectly in all the available areas, but you will need learn to communicate properly to achieve your goals.
The types of graphic design presented require a lot of creativity and also talent, although the most important thing is that the receivers are impacted by the message, because the colors, the drawings and even their location on a canvas can contain implicit or explicit information, and you choose which one to use.
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.