Graphic design has become one of the most powerful tools used in various industries, from advertising, media, manufacturing, and more. Regardless of the industry, it can create a great impression to the target audience, deliver strong messages without lengthy paragraphs, indicate professionalism, and build a unique brand identity.
One rule to follow when using design to grow your business is that it should be an original creation. Using stock graphics and templates is not recommended if you’re trying to establish strong branding across online platforms. To help you get started, we’ve listed seven types of graphic design vital for creating a strong brand identity.
1. Visual identity design
Visual identity design is about telling the unique story of your business or brand to the target audience in the form of images, colors, and shapes. Companies and designers generally incorporate brand identity graphics into product images and retouch them to create solid visuals. In fact, besides graphic designers, you can find professional product photographers today that also specialize in editing to produce more attractive images. Apart from different images, visual identity designs also include signage, logo design, stationery, and business cards.
2. User interface design
As the name suggests, these are designs used for apps and websites to create an enticing and engaging user experience. The process of user interface design aims to improve both the aesthetics and interactions. It focuses on the on-screen design elements such as micro-interactions, menus, and buttons. This type of design may also require knowledge and skills in programming languages. User interface graphics are typically used on projects such as WordPress sites, add designs, game interfaces, marketing sites, and landing pages.
3. Marketing and advertising design
Graphic design is also heavily used in marketing and advertising. Businesses nowadays use visual content to appeal to people, promote their products and services, and communicate more effectively. Company owners often hire marketing designers like aplusdesign.com.my and product photographers to build a creative team that will produce materials and designs for digital advertising and content marketing campaigns. Some marketing and advertising designs include infographics, brochures, posters and banners, blog and website images, menus, and magazine ads.
4. Print and publication design
While the business world seems to shift from print to digital, designs for publications are still deemed useful for many local businesses. From catalogs, newspapers, and magazines, designers create artwork and layouts to accompany the publication’s photography and other illustrations. Designing for publication requires knowledge about the print requirements and process, as well as color management. Print-related projects include album covers, book covers, menu design, and merchandise and apparel.
5. Packaging design
Packaging design is a valuable marketing tool for attracting and communicating directly to customers. Aside from packaging acting as protection for product distribution, storage, and sale, its design is also a chance for the brand to tell its story. Packaging designers can specialize in all sorts of materials like labels. They’re also generally proficient in typography and color theory to create packages to make consumers want to buy the product.
Designers will also need to develop concepts and mockups first before they can produce the print-ready graphics. A few examples of packaging designs include food and item boxes, makeup package containers, and cereal boxes.
6. Motion design
Graphics in motion are generally used in films, television, and online media and have become popular forms of visual content for businesses. Motion graphics may include video, audio, imagery, animation, and typography. This modern type of design can be seen on almost every digital platform and has proven effective in showcasing products and services. Motion graphic designs include animated logos and texts, movie trailers, promotional and tutorial videos, GIFs, Internet banners, apps, advertisements, and video games.
7. Environmental design
This form of design focuses on making places more exciting, memorable, and informative. Some also used this to provide the people with information linked to navigation or the history of the places. Environmental designers aim to improve an individual’s experience by combining graphic, landscape, interior, industrial, and architectural design.
Among the popular types of this design is wayfinding, which involves creating visual cues, landmark navigation, and strategic signage. Other examples of environmental graphic designs include murals, retail store interiors, public transportation navigation, museum exhibitions, signage, event spaces, and stadium branding.
Creating quality and appropriate designs can make or break a brand’s reputation. For that reason, make sure to produce all these kinds of graphics with uniqueness and meaning in mind. They should not only look visually appealing but should also communicate the message you’re trying to send across.
