Graphic design is an important tool that can help a business or a freelancer improve the way they communicate with their audience. It can help you convey your ideas in a way that is not only effective but also beautiful. From a clever design of your logo to the design of your entire website we can take it on and make you stand out. But first let’s get a more complete picture of the term graphic design, and also its importance.
What is the definition of Graphic Design?
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.
Graphic design is applied to everything visual, from road signs to technical schematics, from interoffice memorandums to reference manuals. Design can aid in selling a product or idea. It is applied to products and elements of company identity such as logos, colors, packaging and text as part of branding (see also advertising). Branding has become increasingly more important in the range of services offered by graphic designers. Graphic designers often form part of a branding team. Graphic design is applied in the entertainment industry in decoration, scenery and visual story telling. Other examples of design for entertainment purposes include novels, vinyl album covers, comic books, DVD covers, opening credits and closing credits in filmmaking, and programs and props on stage. This could also include artwork used for T-shirts and other items screen-printed for sale.
From scientific journals to news reporting, the presentation of opinion and facts is often improved with graphics and thoughtful compositions of visual information – known as information design. Newspapers, magazines, blogs, television and film documentaries may use graphic design. With the advent of the web, information designers with experience in interactive tools are increasingly used to illustrate the background to news stories. Information design can include data visualization, which involves using programs to interpret and form data into a visually compelling presentation, and can be tied in with information graphics.
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.
The “process school” is concerned with communication; it highlights the channels and media through which messages are transmitted and by which senders and receivers encode and decode these messages. The semiotic school treats a message as a construction of signs which through interaction with receivers, produces meaning; communication as an agent.
The method of presentation (e.g. Arrangements, style, medium) is important to the design. The development and presentation tools can change how an audience perceives a project. The image or layout is produced using traditional media and guides, or digital image editing tools on computers. Tools in computer graphics often take on traditional names such as “scissors” or “pen”. Some graphic design tools such as a grid are used in both traditional and digital form.
In the mid-1980s desktop publishing and graphic art software applications introduced computer image manipulation and creation capabilities that had previously been manually executed. Computers enabled designers to instantly see the effects of layout or typographic changes, and to simulate the effects of traditional media. Traditional tools such as pencils can be useful even when computers are used for finalization; a designer or art director may sketch numerous concepts as part of the creative process. Styluses can be used with tablet computers to capture hand drawings digitally.
Graphic design career paths cover all parts of the creative spectrum and often overlap. Workers perform specialized tasks, such as design services, publishing, advertising and public relations. As of 2017, median pay was $48,700 per year. The main job titles within the industry are often country specific. They can include graphic designer, art director, creative director, animator and entry level production artist. Depending on the industry served, the responsibilities may have different titles such as “DTP Associate” or “Graphic Artist”. The responsibilities may involve specialized skills such as illustration, photography, animation or interactive design.
Employment in design of online projects was expected to increase by 35% by 2026, while employment in traditional media, such as newspaper and book design, expect to go down by 22%. Graphic designers will be expected to constantly learn new techniques, programs, and methods. Graphic designers can work within companies devoted specifically to the industry, such as design consultancies or branding agencies, others may work within publishing, marketing or other communications companies. Especially since the introduction of personal computers, many graphic designers work as in-house designers in non-design oriented organizations. Graphic designers may also work freelance, working on their own terms, prices, ideas, etc.
A graphic designer typically reports to the art director, creative director or senior media creative. As a designer becomes more senior, they spend less time designing and more time leading and directing other designers on broader creative activities, such as brand development and corporate identity development. They are often expected to interact more directly with clients, for example taking and interpreting briefs.
Source: wikipedia.org
And what makes Graphic Design important?
Firs of all, good design makes you look good. It’s that simple. Great graphic design allows you to make a positive first impression on those looking on. Human beings form initial opinions in a matter of seconds. On the other hand, it takes a lot more time to have a change of heart after a first impression is made. Aesthetically pleasing, professionally designed graphics will cause other persons to form positive opinions about your product, service or brand.
Secondly, people have choices. It’s important to know that the graphic design that you choose to represent your brand can set you apart from your competition – whether negatively or positively. Great design stands out in the minds of decision makers and can influence their choices, both deliberately and subconsciously. By nature, people like to associate with things that look good and make them feel good. By investing in quality graphic design, you are significantly increasing your brand’s ability to stand out in the minds of key decision makers.
As noted earlier, graphic design plays a significant role in the decision-making process. Companies that invest in quality graphic design are perceived to be more trustworthy. Presentation and perception can make or break any business. Persons are looking for signs of professionalism to convince them that you can be trusted. One such sign is the way that you present yourself. It’s important to present yourself in the best possible way by investing in quality graphic design.
Lastly think of what ideas would you like to present to the public? Great graphic design summarizes these ideas in a way that’s pleasing to the eye. Persons may not be willing to read a document that is trying to convince them to purchase your product, but they will be willing to have a look at an image that serves the same purpose. Additionally, graphic design needs to be consistent. All representations of your brand should be visually similar to build trust and to ensure that your brand is recognizable. Great graphic design gives you this much-needed consistency.
Graphic design & Web design
Having mentioned all the above it is now understandable that graphic design is all around us. We could argue that it belongs to the so-called Fine Arts. Or maybe this does not represent it completely, but limits it. Graphic writing is the visual expression of an idea, an information. Everything we see around us, shop signs, maps, logos, magazine and books covers. The result of graphic design is everywhere around us. In the same way we see graphic design in the digital world.
Graphic design is pretty important for a good, professional website. An apt graphic design is capable of taking off the product itself and boosting its sales. Some people mistakenly believe that a graphic designer simply “plays” with boxes that do whatever they are asked to do with great ease. As a result, a graphic designer’s work is overrated. And yet. This misconception often leads to a bad and unfortunate result, to a malicious and not at all attractive website.
After all, the matter is the idea, the so-called “creative”. How will a graphic designer capture an image that the customer will ask for. And especially if this image will be associated with the product successfully and if it will “convey” the message that the professional wants with immediacy and liveliness to the final recipient, the customer.
If we think about it, graphic design also contains advertising elements. A well-designed website is capable of making a bigger impact than an entire advertising campaign. Web Design itself involves the creation of graphics, typography, and images, just like graphic design.
Why is Web Design important?
When your audience visits your website, it gives them their first impression of your business. They will judge your business within seconds. In these first few seconds, you want to make a positive impact on your audience. If your website looks unappealing or outdated, your audience will immediately have a negative impression of your business. They won’t find your website appealing, which deters them from your page. You’ll miss out on leads because they’ll leave your page for a competitor’s page.
Web design is important because it impacts how your audience perceives your brand. The impression you make on them can either get them to remain on your page and learn about your business or leave your page and turn to a competitor. A good web design helps you keep your leads on your page. People can judge how you will treat them by looking at your website. Your design gives them insight as to how you view your audience. If you don’t put any effort into your website’s design, your audience knows that you won’t put effort into helping them. Your website is like a customer service representative. If your website is bright, modern, and inviting, your audience will feel more welcome on your page. You’ll give the impression that you are open and welcoming to new people who visit your website.
On the other hand, an outdated and unappealing site makes your business appear cold and aloof. People don’t want to check out a business that doesn’t value them enough to make a good first impression. Think of your web design as the digital face of your business. If someone walked into your physical location, wouldn’t you want a friendly face to greet them and make them feel welcome? An updated and modern web design is the equivalent to a friendly face greeting your new visitors.
People don’t trust poorly designed websites. If they see your poor design or the information looks outdated, they won’t trust your site. They may view your site as seedy or shady because you don’t have an updated web design. Let’s take for example a person looking to place a bulk order with a manufacturing company. They’re spending a tremendous amount of money, which means if your manufacturing website design doesn’t convey trust, they’ll find another business to fulfill their order.
On the other hand, a professional site signals trust with your audience. They will trust your business and feel comfortable checking it out further. It’s important to build trust with your audience so they remain on your site. When visitors remain on your site longer, you create more opportunities for your business to capture those leads.
If you need a reason for why web design is important, here’s a big one: Your competitors are already utilizing web design. If you want to remain in competition with them, you must use web design for your site. You want your website to stand out from the competition. If you have an old, outdated, and low-quality website, your competitor’s will outrank you. Their well-designed website will perform better than your website. This means you’ll lose leads to your competitors. They’ll attract more leads to their page because their page is more appealing.
Your website’s design is an opportunity for you to set your business apart from the competition. When you’re competing with other businesses, you generally have the same services and similar pricing. You need that one thing that will make your business stand out from the rest. When you’re trying to get new leads for your business, you want to build up your brand. You want your audience to get familiar with your brand so they choose you when they’re ready to convert. Online web designs are important because they help create consistency across your page.
You need to have the same fonts, styles, and layouts across every page on your website. If you have a different design on every page, this will make your site look unprofessional. It also makes it more challenging to build brand recognition because your audience won’t know which colors to associate with your brand. If your website is not consistent, people will bounce from yours to one that looks more professional. By building consistency, you keep leads on your page longer and get them familiar with your business. You’ll earn more leads and conversions down the line when you redesign your site for this key element.
Source: webfx.com
What is Graphic Animation & what’s its importance for the companies?
Graphic animation is the rapid projection of a series of images (two-dimensional or three-dimensional model) or positions of a model, so as to create the illusion of movement. It is an optical illusion of movement and this is due to the phenomenon of retaining the image in the eye for 1/12 of a second. Motion can be created and presented in many ways. The most common method of visualizing an animation consists of a video or animation program. Animation is used in both cinema and animated films and video games.
In this digital age that we live Graphic animation is the most appropriate choice to enhance the recognizability of a brand. Animated graphics tend to catch the eye of the consumer when they appear in front of him due to their complexity and liveliness. It is the most versatile tool of content marketing of a strategy and more specifically in the part of the storytelling element of a business. The result is increased public interaction with content, increased reach, especially when a business is in the campaign awareness phase. In short, motion graphics are extremely versatile storytelling tools, making them a great addition to your brand’s content marketing mix if you want to tell an interesting story in a short form, engage people on social media or explain your product.
Businesses have been using video for a long time for better results in their online presence. Video usage has increased now that mobile is ubiquitous and social platforms are more video friendly. And while there are many types of content that can appeal to people, animated videos are a great way to help brand names tell their stories. Creating animated graphics is a way to communicate with the viewer to add depth to your business.
Some of their advantages are that they are a great tool for explaining processes, products or dense topics in a short amount of time. Also, they do not require much from the viewer. People can sit back and watch without having to spend a lot of energy. Finally, they are very exciting. With music, beautiful animation and powerful storytelling, they can make you laugh, cry and learn.
Which are the different types of graphic animation?
2D animation or two-dimensional animation, is a mixture of artistic methods and media design that produces the illusion of flow in a two-dimensional environment. On the other hand, 3D animation is also referred to as CGI or CG, is made by creating images using computers. 3D animation uses the photo-realistic and three-dimensional appearance and feel is produced with the help of advanced animation methods.
Motion graphics is animation but with text as a significant ingredient. Motion graphic is generally used in bigger multi-media projects with larger scopes and here images and texts are animated to represent an illusion of movement.
Lastly, Stop motion animation (also known as stop-frame animation) is an animation method created by combining a sequence of individually illustrated frames. This makes the frame appear to display independent motion or shift when the series of frames is played backward.
Source: stratifydigital.com
As you can see, graphic design generously offers you many solutions to enhance your brand and speak to a wider audience. Make your customers trust you and stand out. Enhance your image and of course increase your sales and your profits. Graphic design is all around you and you definitely want to talk to a qualified graphic designer right now to design your logo or even your website. Take the first step and see your audience grow.
