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The 8 Graphic Design Types You Should Be Aware Of

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The 8 Graphic Design Types You Should Be Aware Of

Before we get into the eight types of graphic design, let's first define what graphic design is. The creation of visual compositions to solve problems and communicate ideas through typography, imagery, colour, and form is known as graphic design. There is no single way to accomplish this, which is why there are various types of graphic design, each with its area of specialisation.

Though they frequently overlap, each type of graphic design necessitates a distinct set of skills and design techniques. Many designers specialise in one kind; others concentrate on a group of related, similar types. However, because the industry is constantly changing, designers must be adaptable and lifelong learners to change or add specialisations throughout their careers.

Understanding the eight types of graphic design will help you find the right skills for the job, whether you are an aspiring designer or looking for design services for your business.

The Eight Fundamental Types of Graphic Design

1. Visual Identity Graphic Design 

A brand is a relationship between a company or organisation and its target audience. A brand identity communicates an organisation's personality, tone, essence, memories, emotions, and experiences. The visual elements of brand identity that act as the face of a brand to communicate those intangible qualities through images, shapes, and colour are referred to as visual identity graphic design.

Visual identity graphic designers work with brand stakeholders to create assets such as logos, typography, colour palettes, and image libraries representing a brand's personality. Designers frequently develop visual brand guidelines (style guides) that describe best practices and provide examples of visual branding applied across various media in addition to standard business cards and corporate stationery. These guidelines aid in ensuring brand consistency across all future applications.

One of the most common types of design is visual identity design. To create design elements that work across all visual media, visual identity graphic designers must have a broad understanding of all types of graphic design. They must also have strong communication skills, conceptual and creative thinking, and a desire to learn about industries, organisations, trends, and competitors.

2. Marketing and Advertising Graphic Design

Most people associate graphic design with designs created for marketing and advertising.

Companies rely on practical marketing efforts to gain access to their target audience's decision-making process. Great marketing engages people by appealing to their wants, needs, awareness, and satisfaction with a product, service, or brand. Because visual content is always more engaging, graphic design helps organisations promote and communicate more effectively.

Marketing designers collaborate with business owners, directors, and professionals to create marketing assets. They may work independently or as part of an in-house or creative team. Designers can specialise in a specific media type or create collateral for print, digital, and beyond. This type of design has expanded to include more digital assets, such as content marketing and digital advertising.

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

Marketing designers must be excellent communicators, problem solvers, and time managers. They must be proficient in graphic design, layout, and presentation apps and familiar with print and online production. Entry-level positions in this field are excellent opportunities for new designers to learn processes and gain valuable skills and experience.

3. User Interface Graphic Design 

The user interface (UI) is how a user interacts with a device or application. UI design creates interfaces that are simple to use and provide a pleasant user experience.

A user interface includes everything with which a user interacts—the screen, keyboard, and mouse—but in the context of graphic design, UI design focuses on the user's visual experience and the creation of on-screen graphic elements such as buttons, menus, micro-interactions, and more. A UI designer's job is to balance aesthetic appeal and technical functionality.

Desktop apps, mobile apps, web apps, and games are all specialties of UI designers. They collaborate closely with UX (user experience) designers (who determine how the app works) and UI (user interface) developers (who write code to make it work).

Examples of user interface graphic design.

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

UI designers must be team players with strong graphic design skills and a thorough understanding of UI/UX principles, responsive design, and web development. In addition to graphics apps, they must be familiar with programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

4. Publication Graphic Design 

Publications are long-form works that communicate with an audience. Traditionally, they have been a print medium. Think of books, newspapers, magazines, and catalogues. Digital publishing has increased.

Publication graphic designers collaborate with editors and publishers to create layouts with carefully selected typography and accompanying artwork, which may include photography, graphics, and illustrations. Publication designers can work as freelancers, as members of creative agencies, or as employees of a publishing company.

Examples of publication graphic design

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

Publication designers must be skilled in communication, layout, and organisation. They must understand colour management, printing, digital publishing, and graphic design.

5. Packaging Graphic Design 

Most require packaging to protect and prepare products for storage, distribution, and sale. On the other hand, packaging design can communicate directly to consumers, making it a unique marketing tool. Every box, bottle, bag, can, container, or canister, is an opportunity to tell a brand's story.

Packaging designers create concepts, mockups, and print-ready files for products, which necessitates extensive knowledge of print processes and a thorough understanding of industrial design and manufacturing. Because packaging design encompasses so many disciplines, it is not uncommon for designers to be tasked with creating additional assets for a product, such as photography, illustrations, and visual identity.

Packaging designers can be generalists or specialise in a specific type of packaging (such as labels or beverage cans) or industry (such as food or children's toys). Their work necessitates exceptional conceptual and problem-solving abilities and a solid working knowledge of print and industrial design. They must be adaptable to the clients, marketers, and manufacturers' needs and current trends.

6.  Motion Graphic Design 

Simply put, motion graphics are images that move. Examples include animation, audio, typography, imagery, video, and other effects used in online media, television, and film. As technology improved and video content became king, the medium's popularity skyrocketed in recent years.

"Motion graphics designer" is a relatively new design specialty. Previously restricted to television and film, technological advancements have reduced production time and costs, making the art form more accessible and affordable. Now, motion graphics is one of the most recent types of design and can be found on all digital platforms, opening up many new areas and opportunities.

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

Motion graphics designers start by creating storyboards and then use animation, video, and traditional art to bring their ideas to life. Depending on the industry, a solid understanding of marketing, coding, and 3D modelling can be valuable assets.

7. Environmental Graphic Design 

Environmental graphic design connects people to places visually to improve their overall experience by making spaces more memorable, engaging, informative, or easy to navigate. Environmental design encompasses a wide range of disciplines; here are some examples:

Examples of environmental graphic design

  • Signage
  • Murals
  • Museum exhibitions
  • Office branding
  • Public transportation navigation
  • Retail store interiors
  • Stadium branding
  • Event and conference spaces

Wayfinding is a subset of environmental graphic design that includes strategic signage, landmarks, and visual cues to help people identify where they are and where they need to go so they can get there without getting lost.

Environmental graphic design is a multidisciplinary practice that combines graphic design, architecture, interior design, landscape design, and industrial design. Designers plan and implement their designs in collaboration with people from any of these fields. As a result, designers usually have training and experience in graphic design and architecture, and they must understand industrial design concepts and be able to read and sketch architectural plans.

Environmental graphic design has traditionally produced static print pieces, but digital interactive displays are gaining popularity as a means of creating a more engaging experience.

8. Graphic design art and illustration

Graphic art and illustration are frequently confused with graphic design, but they are different. Visual artists and illustrators create original artwork, while designers create compositions to communicate and solve problems. Their artwork ranges from fine art to decoration to storytelling illustrations.

Even though graphic art and illustration are not technically types of graphic design, so much is created for commercial use within the context of graphic design that you can't talk about one without mentioning the others.

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

Graphic artists collaborate with writers, editors, managers, marketers, and art directors across all visual design types to create their work using any combination of media and techniques. They will frequently have a background in fine arts, animation, or architecture. Graphic designers who work as visual artists and illustrators can be found thanks to overlapping skills and apps (and vice versa).

Use the appropriate graphic design for the job.

Graphic design is a rapidly expanding field with a high demand for specialised and skilled designers. Knowing the different types of graphic design will help you identify the specialist you require when looking for the right person to take on a design job.