Graphic design is the practice of arranging the visual elements of a project.
Although the term “graphic design” has only been around since the 1920s, the art form itself has been an important part of visual communication for millennia. We can see early examples of graphic design in ancient manuscripts and even in prehistoric rock art.
Today, the graphic design industry spans many different disciplines. This is an exciting field that is constantly evolving, but its adaptive nature can make it a bit confusing for a beginner to understand exactly what graphic design is and what types of work professionals do.
What is graphic design?
Graphic design is the practice of arranging the visual elements of a project. Designing a logo and corporate identityDE, creating a presentation, designing a book cover, illustrations, and magazine layout, creating a poster, and designing product packaging are all examples of graphic design.
In fact, almost everyone today practices some form of graphic design in their daily lives—whether it’s adding text to an image for social media or color-coding a spreadsheet for work.
What is the main purpose of graphic design?
The goal of graphic design is to convey or reinforce a message.
Good graphics make communication easier. Just imagine a spreadsheet with data analytics. A graphic designer can use different colors to highlight which metrics are up and which are down, thus making it easier for the viewer to quickly understand what is going well and what needs to be adjusted.
A well-executed graphic design can also evoke an emotional response from the viewer or even move them to action. For example, a “sign up” page on a website is usually designed to encourage visitors to join a mailing list or start a free trial. Meanwhile, food packaging design aims to make the food inside seem more inviting to eat.