What is Graphic Design? How to Create Graphic Design?

Although the term “graphic design” has only been in use since the 1920s, this art form has been an integral part of visual communication for thousands of years. Early examples of graphic design can be seen in ancient manuscripts and even in prehistoric cave paintings. While the concept dates back to antiquity, it has evolved over time with various cultural, technological, and artistic influences.

(see The Magical Journey of Design)

Graphic design is the art of planning and creating visual content to convey ideas and messages. In the digital age, graphic design is everywhere — from advertising billboards to potato chip bags, newspapers, and magazines to mobile applications. These designs combine various elements and design principles to directly impact our perceptions and emotions.

If you’re looking for a guide to the fundamentals of graphic design, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to deeply understand what graphic design is, see some striking examples, and explore various types of design.

What are the Main Elements of Graphic Design?

Four main elements make a graphic design effective. When these elements come together, they produce aesthetically pleasing designs that effectively convey intended messages and capture the interest of the target audience.

Color

Color is perhaps the most important and conspicuous element of a design. It can create an immediate impact and is noticeable even to those without a design background. Compared to other design elements, colors directly reflect emotions and moods. The meanings of colors and their effects on human psychology are profound and can vary from culture to culture. For example, while red symbolizes energy, passion, love, and danger, green can represent nature, health, freshness, and balance.

(see The Importance of Color in Design: The Secret to Visual Communication)

Typography

Typography is a crucial factor that greatly influences the aesthetic and functional value of a design. Well-chosen and implemented typography can determine how a message is perceived, understood, and remembered.

When working on typography, graphic designers need to consider the relationship between the appearance of the text and the subject matter being conveyed. Typography is the art of arranging text in a readable and visually appealing manner. Different font choices can express different moods or emotions. Good typography should create a strong visual hierarchy, maintain balance, and set the right tone.

(see 7 Best Fonts for SaaS Websites)

Shapes and Images

Shapes can be circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, or other geometric abstract forms. Most designs incorporate at least one shape. Similar to colors, shapes have different connotations depending on their types.

For example, circles often evoke a sense of unity and wholeness. With their non-angular geometric structures, circles possess a soft and inviting nature. Squares and rectangles, on the other hand, are typically associated with balance, security, and accuracy, unlike circles. The straight and sharp lines of these shapes create a sense of order and control. Triangles, with their dynamic and energetic structures, draw attention. Depending on their orientation, triangles can convey different meanings such as progress, ascent, or descent.

Shapes, especially in logo design, are of great importance as they strongly convey the identity and message of the brand, thereby increasing visual memorability.

(see Logo Design Tips for Beginners)

Images, like shapes, determine the emotional tone of a design and instantly connect with the viewer. Therefore, the quality, color harmony, composition, and relevance of the selected images should be considered, to ensure alignment with the values and expectations of the target audience. Original and attention-grabbing images enhance the aesthetic value of the design while also strengthening the brand image.

Space Usage

Space usage is a fundamental aspect that significantly influences the overall structure and aesthetics of a design. Proper space usage helps create a balanced and harmonious composition, enhancing visual clarity. By directing the audience’s attention to important areas, it makes the design less cluttered.

Whitespace, also known as negative space, refers to the empty areas between elements in a design. When used correctly, whitespace enhances the balance and readability of the design. Effectively utilized whitespace brings freshness and simplicity to the design, leaving a stronger and more lasting impression on the viewer.

(see How To Utilize White Space in UX Design?)

How to Create Graphic Design?

To create graphic design, you need to have a solid understanding of the fundamental design principles we just discussed. A good design involves the skillful application of basic theory and principles. A successful graphic designer combines these elements skillfully to produce impressive and functional designs.

In addition, you need to have technical knowledge and practical skills when designing. Being able to effectively use graphic design software (such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), prepare files for digital and print media, and keep up with current design trends are essential aspects of graphic design. These technical competencies, combined with theoretical knowledge, will result in a design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

5 Popular Graphic Design Software and How to Choose One?

Every design project comes with different requirements and goals, so the design tools that need to be used can vary. Graphic design, web design, motion graphics, 3D modeling, and many other fields require the right design tools to achieve successful results. Therefore, choosing the correct tools during the design process is crucial for the success of the project. We have compiled various design tools commonly preferred for static design projects. These programs can be used for various graphic design projects according to different needs and skill levels.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is used to create pixel-based images. It is commonly used for photo editing, visual manipulations, social media visuals, detailed drawings, and various digital outputs.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is used to create and edit vector-based graphics. It is ideal for logo design, infographics, simple illustrations, typography, and other vector-based projects.

Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign is generally preferred for print files. It is used for the layout and creation of magazines, books, brochures, and other multi-page documents.

Canva

Canva is ideal for beginners in graphic design due to its easy-to-use interface. With its online platform, you can create posters, social media posts, brochures, and more using ready-made templates available within Canva.

Figma

Figma is commonly preferred for interactive design projects such as user interface (UI) design and website prototyping.

(see 8 Advantages of UI Design: A More Comprehensive and Effective Design Experience)

However, thanks to its features, Figma can also be used for some graphic design projects. Figma’s vector drawing tools and layer-based structure allow graphic designers to create and edit visual projects.

Additionally, you can use artificial intelligence design tools in your design projects. AI design tools are software developed to assist users in the design process. These applications work based on data techniques such as machine learning, cognitive computing, and image processing, offering various features to simplify the design process for users.

(see Artificial Intelligence Applications and Their Impact on the Design World)

Who Does Graphic Design?

Graphic design is typically done by professional graphic designers, art and design students, advertising and marketing specialists, web and UI/UX designers, freelancers, illustrators, video and animation designers, game developers, and many organizations operating in various industries.

Graphic design, also known as communication design, and graphic designers are essentially visual communicators. They bring visual concepts to life using various graphic design software to inform or influence consumers through text, graphics, and symbols.

These professionals can operate in various fields such as logo design, brochures, posters, social media graphics, web design, packaging design, and many others.

What Do Graphic Designers Do?

The tasks performed by graphic designers are quite diverse and cover a wide range. Essentially, graphic designers produce impressive and functional designs for various platforms and media types using various visual communication tools. Some of the basic tasks of graphic designers include:

Logo and Brand Identity Design

Graphic designers create logos and other corporate identity elements for companies, brands, or products. This process involves creating a consistent visual identity that reflects a brand’s vision and values.

(see Logo Design Tips for Beginners)

Print Media Design

Graphic designers design brochures, posters, magazines, newspapers, flyers, book covers, catalogs, and other printed materials, managing the prepress process professionally.

Digital Media Design

Graphic designers produce visual content for various websites, mobile applications, digital advertisements, social media graphics, email newsletters, and other digital platforms.

Advertising Design

Graphic designers design posters, banners, videos, and other advertising materials for online and offline advertising campaigns. This process aims to effectively convey the brand’s message.

Packaging Design

Graphic designers create product packaging to ensure that the product is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Packaging design is a crucial factor that directly influences consumers’ interaction with the product and their purchasing decisions.

Infographic Design

Graphic designers create various infographics that visually present information in an attractive and easy-to-understand manner.

In conclusion, graphic designers use their aesthetic sense and technical skills to provide creative solutions to the visual needs of brands and individuals. Therefore, graphic designers are indispensable elements of the modern communication world.

How Much Do Graphic Designers Earn?

The earnings of graphic designers vary depending on various factors such as experience, expertise, geographic location, and the industry they work in. Entry-level graphic designers typically start with lower salaries and progress as they gain experience in the industry. Mid-level and senior graphic designers, on the other hand, earn higher salaries based on their areas of expertise and the size of the company they work for.

The earnings of freelance graphic designers, on the other hand, can vary depending on the projects they undertake and their client portfolios. Geographic location is also a significant factor; graphic designers working in developed regions generally receive higher fees.

Digipeak and Graphic Design

At Digipeak, we offer a wide range of graphic design services. Our graphic design team creates creative and innovative solutions to strengthen your brand’s visual identity and effectively convey your message. Our services include logo and brand identity design, printed materials (brochures, posters, flyers), interface design (UI/UX), digital media (web and social media graphics), advertising campaigns, packaging design, and motion graphics. You can access our design portfolio on Behance.

Feel free to reach out to our highly talented and experienced creative team for any questions or concerns related to graphic design. Whether you’re seeking expert advice, looking to bring your vision to life, or in need of innovative solutions, our team will assist you every step of the way with graphic design services.