Number of uses for graphic design

October 4, 2020 Jacob Maslow

For some reason, when the concept of graphic design comes up, people immediately think of logos and just stop there. However, there are actually numerous uses for good graphic design skills. In today’s fast-paced world, graphics have become the backbone of all businesses and the need for agencies and firms that provide unlimited graphic design resources has grown exponentially. Let us take a quick look at some graphic design categories and how they function in action:

Brand identity graphics

This subgroup basically represents the visual identity of any business or individual. It can be in terms of logos, business cards, brochures and headers. This is usually where everyone’s mind goes when they think of graphic design.

Info graphics and data visualization

Graphics can be an extremely valuable tool in your arsenal when trying to present data through the use of graphs, charts, shapes and vectors. In a sense, they make it easier to grasp complex ideas. They are also extremely useful for presenting bulk data, which are often the crux of many finance and economics publications.

User interface design (UI)

Look around this webpage right now. Do you see where the menus are placed, their colors, as well as, how the words are written and spaced out? Well, this is user interface design in action. Basically, the fonts, layouts and overall design are referred to as an application’s or webpage’s “UI”.

User experience design (UX)

While, the UI lays the foundations, UX make websites more attractive mostly by adding animations to elements such as buttons and menus. You can think of it as an upgraded version of the user interface.

Vector graphics and illustrations

Vector graphics are created with the help of geometrical and mathematical calculations, while if it is done by the hand, it is referred to as an illustration. Illustrations can be designs of natural or artificial things. The process usually entails the use of an electronic pen and a pad in order to facilitate the drawing. On the other hand, vector graphics are mostly used in package design, where first the physical measurements of the package are taken and presented as vector shapes to the designer. The designer would then overlay it with their graphics.

Motion Graphics

This refers to the animated form of either vector-based or illustration-based designs. In order to create those you need the same design showcased at different “stages” and then you combine them into the intended sequence. Those can be used in banners and web design for promotional purposes and of course in movies!

Those motion graphics could either be two dimensional vectors are that are created using the x and y axis or they could be created using three-dimensional graphics, utilizing the extra axis “z”. Once again this is mostly used in the space of animated movies, as well as, games.

Publication design

This category simply includes newspapers, magazines and books. Designers here focus on the layout and how to overlay the headings, paragraphs and pictures in the most cohesive manner.

Marketing and ad graphics

This is actually close to the brand identity category that we have mentioned earlier except that this includes banners, posters, social media posts and any image that used for promotional purposes.

Environmental graphics

Those are a collection of vectors or illustrations that recreate a certain environment or vibe. Think about wallpapers of your favorite cartoons that you might have had plastered on your wall as a child!

As you can see there are numerous ways to utilize your graphic design skills. The key is to focus on what aspect you are truly passionate about and then you can get to work. Now go unleash your creativity!