The 8 types of graphic design you need to know Mila Jones Cann by Mila Jones Cann 2 months ago 11 min read Learn design Design basics Design resources Logos, websites, book covers & more… Get a design Before we dive into the 8 types of graphic design, let’s start with the basics: What is graphic design? Graphic design is the creation of visual compositions to solve problems and communicate ideas through typography, imagery, color and form. There’s no one way to do that, and that’s why there are several types of graphic design, each with their own area of specialization. Graphic design is the creation of visual compositions to solve problems and communicate ideas through typography, imagery, color and form. Though they often overlap, each type of graphic design requires specific sets of skills and design techniques. Many designers specialize in a single type; others focus on a set of related, similar types. But because the industry is constantly changing, designers must be adaptable and lifelong learners so they can change or add specializations throughout their careers. Whether you are an aspiring designer or seeking design services for your business, understanding the 8 types of graphic design will help you find the right skills for the job. The 8 fundamental types of graphic design are: — 1. Visual identity graphic design A brand is a relationship between a business or organization and its audience. A brand identity is how the organization communicates its personality, tone and essence, as well as memories, emotions and experiences. Visual identity graphic design is exactly that: the visual elements of brand identity that act as the face of a brand to communicate those intangible qualities through images, shapes and color. types of design example: visual identity design By smidesign types of graphic design example: classic visual identity brand design By Agi Amri types of design example: modern visual identity design By lepro types of graphic design example: modern visual identity design By ludibes Designers that specialize in visual identity graphic design collaborate with brand stakeholders to create assets like logos, typography, color palettes and image libraries that represent a brand’s personality. In addition to the standard business cards and corporate stationary, designers often develop a set of visual brand guidelines (style guides) that describe best practices and provide examples of visual branding applied across various media. These guidelines help to ensure brand consistency throughout future applications. types of graphic design example: a modern logo and brand design By nnorth Visual identity design is one of the most common types of design. Visual identity graphic designers must possess a general knowledge of all types of graphic design in order to create design elements that are suitable across all visual media. They also need excellent communication, conceptual and creative skills, and a passion for researching industries, organizations, trends and competitors. 2. Marketing & advertising graphic design When most people think of graphic design, they think of designs created for marketing and advertising. Companies depend on successful marketing efforts to tap into their target audience’s decision-making process. Great marketing engages people based on the wants, needs, awareness and satisfaction they have about a product, service or brand. Since people will always find visual content more engaging, graphic design helps organizations promote and communicate more effectively. Marketing designers work with company owners, directors, managers or marketing professionals to create assets for marketing strategies. They might work alone or as part of an in-house or creative team. Designers can specialize in a specific type of media (vehicle wraps or magazine ads, for example) or create a broad assortment of collateral for print, digital, and beyond. While traditionally print-centered, this type of design has grown to include more digital assets, especially for use in content marketing and digital advertising. types of graphic design example: marketing material design By yaseenart types of graphic design example: truck ad design By J.Chaushev types of graphic design example: banner ad design By charlim888 types of design example: marketing design By sundayrain 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 types of graphic design example: poster design By julie9 types of design example: poster design By ANAMOLLY Marketing designers need excellent communication, problem-solving and time management skills. In addition to being proficient in several graphic design, layout and presentation apps, they must also be familiar with production for print and online environments. Entry-level positions in this area are a great way for new designers to learn processes and acquire valuable skills and experience. 3. User interface graphic design A user interface (UI) is how a user interacts with a device or application. UI design is the process of designing interfaces to make them easy to use and provide a user-friendly experience. A UI includes all of the things a user interacts with—the screen, keyboard and mouse—but in the context of graphic design, UI design focuses on the user’s visual experience and the design of on-screen graphic elements like buttons, menus, micro-interactions, and more. It’s a UI designer’s job to balance aesthetic appeal with technical functionality. types of graphic design example: app interface design By masiko types of graphic design example: app design By masiko UI designers specialize in desktop apps, mobile apps, web apps and games. They work closely with UX (user experience) designers (who determine how the app works) and UI developers (who write code to make it work). Examples of user interface graphic design Web page design Theme design (WordPress, Shopify, etc.) Game interfaces App design types of graphic design example: web interface design By milajones types of design example: web design By Malzi UI designers must be team players backed by both serious graphic design skills and an excellent understanding of UI/UX principles, responsive design and web development. In addition to graphics apps, they need knowledge of programming languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript. 4. Publication graphic design Publications are long-form pieces that communicate with an audience through public distribution. They have traditionally been a print medium. Publication design is a classic type of design—think books, newspapers, magazines and catalogs. However, there’s recently been a significant rise in digital publishing. types of graphic design example: book cover design By Ian Douglas types of design example: magazine cover design By Grigoris G types of graphic design example: layout design By shwin Graphic designers that specialize in publications work with editors and publishers to create layouts with carefully selected typography and accompanying artwork, which includes photography, graphics and illustrations. Publication designers may work as freelancers, as creative agency members or in-house as part of a publishing company. Examples of publication graphic design Books Newspapers Newsletters Directories Annual reports Magazines Catalogs Publication designers must possess excellent communication, layout and organizational skills. In addition to graphic design expertise, they need to understand color management, printing and digital publishing. 5. Packaging graphic design Most products require some form of packaging to protect and prepare them for storage, distribution, and sale. But packaging design can also communicate directly to consumers, which makes it an extremely valuable marketing tool. Every box, bottle and bag, every can, container, or canister is a chance tell the story of a brand. Packaging designers create concepts, develop mockups and create the print-ready files for a product. This requires expert knowledge of print processes and a keen understanding of industrial design and manufacturing. Because packaging design touches so many disciplines, it’s not uncommon for designers to find themselves creating other assets for a product such as photography, illustrations and visual identity. types of design example: packaging design By athenabelle types of graphic design example: label design By MMX types of design example: packaging design By Martis Lupus types of graphic design example: packaging box design monostudio types of graphic design example: gold wine label design By Esteban T types of design example: packaging label design By madpepper Packaging designers may be a jack-of-all-trades or specialize in a specific type of packaging (like labels or beverage cans) or a specific industry (like food or children’s toys). Their work requires top-notch conceptual and problem-solving skills in addition to a strong working knowledge of print and industrial design. They must be flexible to meet the demands of clients, marketers and manufacturers and be aware of current trends. 6. Motion graphic design Simply put, motion graphics are graphics that are in motion. This can include animation, audio, typography, imagery, video and other effects that are used in online media, television and film. The medium’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years as technology improved and video content became king. “Motion graphics designer” is a somewhat new specialty for designers. Formally reserved for TV and film, technological advances have reduced production time and costs, making the art form more accessible and affordable. Now, motion graphics is one of the newest types of design and can be found across all digital platforms, which has created all sorts of 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 types of graphic design example: motion graphics design By Maryia Dziadziulia types of graphic design example: motion graphics design Animated website interaction by Janos Nyujto types of graphic design example: motion graphics design By Maryia Dziadziulia Motion graphics designers begin by developing storyboards and then bring their concepts to life with animation, video and traditional art. Depending on the industry, a strong working knowledge of marketing, coding and 3D modeling can be definite assets. 7. Environmental graphic design Environmental graphic design visually connects people to places to improve their overall experience by making spaces more memorable, interesting, informative or easier to navigate. Environmental design is a broad type of design, here are some examples: Examples of environmental graphic design Signage Wall murals Museum exhibitions Office branding Public transportation navigation Retail store interiors Stadium branding Event and conference spaces Wayfinding is a specific type of environmental graphic design that consists of strategic signage, landmarks and visual cues that help people identify where they are and where they need to go so they can get there without confusion. types of graphic design example: stage design Adobe Summit 2018 via Angela Fisher and Steve Gustavson types of graphic design example: building design Via Artur Busz Environmental graphic design is a multidisciplinary practice that merges graphic, architectural, interior, landscape and industrial design. Designers collaborate with people in any number of these fields to plan and implement their designs. Because of that, designers typically have education and experience in both graphic design and architecture. They must be familiar with industrial design concepts and able to read and sketch architectural plans. types of design example: coffee shop design By manasye types of graphic design example: restaurant design By faks Traditionally, environmental graphic design has produced static print pieces, but digital interactive displays continue to rise in popularity as a means of creating a more engaging experience. 8. Art and illustration for graphic design Graphic art and illustration are often seen as being the same as graphic design, however, they’re each very different. Designers create compositions to communicate and solve problems, graphic artists and illustrators create original artwork. Their art takes a number of forms, 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 the others. types of graphic design example: illustration design By suxzero 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 types of graphic design example: illustration design By BATHI types of graphic design example: clothing illustration design By Cross The Lime types of design example: illustration design By Natalia Maca types of design example: surreal illustration for film poster design By MOGOLLON Graphic artists use any combination of media and techniques to create their work as they collaborate with writers, editors, managers, marketers and art directors across all graphic design types. They’ll often have a foundation in fine arts, animation or architecture. Overlapping skills and apps make it possible to find graphic designers who also work as graphic artists and illustrators (and vice versa). Use the right types of graphic design for the job — Graphic design is an ever-growing field, and the demand for specialized and skilled designers is on the rise. When you’re looking for the right person to take on a design job, knowing the different types of graphic design will help you identify the specialist you need. Finding the right designer is easy! Simply search our designer community and pick the perfect one for your project. Let's do it! This article was originally published in 2018. It has been updated with new examples and information. The author Mila Jones Cann Mila Jones Cann Mila Jones Cann is a multidisciplinary artist and digital art director. She designs beautiful websites, graphics and visual brand identities with a focus on the technology sector. Her clients span the globe from Silicon Valley to London and everywhere in-between. When she's not pushing pixels, you can usually find her painting in her studio in Eastern Canada. Tags Learn design Design basics Design resources graphic design Related articles What is conceptual design? And how to wrap your mind around ideation. 8 top UX design trends for 2021 Graphic illustration and the difference between graphic design and illustration Any comments? Name Email Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Post comment Tina 3 years ago Thank you for this great overview! I just realised that I am doing all this last 15 years and that still call myself just a “Designer”. LOL, I need to change something. Reply Naina Sharma 2 years ago I want to do this job Reply Mariam 2 years ago Me too if you joined please tell me how and what i should do Antonia 2 years ago Hey there, If you’re interested in joining our global community of graphic designers, you can learn more here and submit an application. Best, Antonia Yahir 2 years ago Thanks! This was a good thorough introductory explanation. Reply vishal singh jadon 2 years ago thanx for this information Reply Austin 2 years ago thank you i like the interface design and the Publication graphic design becauce they have magazine and buttons and menu Reply Michael Otu 2 years ago This is awesome Reply Mo 2 years ago Wow this is amazing I still have a lot to learn Thanks Mila Reply Meet Limbachiya 2 years ago Thanks for the information. Reply Vicent Josh 2 years ago It’s awesome Reply Ayisha Ibrahim 2 years ago How to print image on colour separation.thank you Reply Ileka Gift 2 years ago I want to learn please what do I do? Reply Antonia 2 years ago Here are some useful tutorials that will help you improve your graphic design skills. Youtube is also a great resource for finding more design tutorials. But the best way to learn is to keep practising! Bm2world 2 years ago I am also a graphic designer and this article Help very much to get some new information because Graphic Design is my passion and i want to make career on this. Reply Kentytai 2 years ago I’m an artist currently talking A graphic design course and I’m super excited I can’t wait to have all this knowledge to be doing my own stuff Reply Sunday 2 years ago Very informative….. Thanks a lot Reply john kasenegala 2 years ago to me it’s good you open up my mind that once i designing something i must first kno types of graphics tha i want design Simply Emma 2 years ago thank you so much!!! This is a really a big help for me as a beginner in graphic design industry!!! I am excited to know more about graphic design through your blogs. ❤ Reply Antonia 2 years ago Glad you found it helpful! 🙂 Aliyat 2 years ago Wow!! What a great asset you dished out. This is very informative and helpful. As a beginner, this is an eye opener for me. Thanks for being helpful. Reply Antonia 2 years ago Glad you found it helpful! Lucca Paciolo 2 years ago Wow great overview. Simple language, nice tune, and accurate pictures for better understanding. I love it. Thanks alot. Reply Antonia 2 years ago Glad you liked it! Christian Mfon 2 years ago I love this. I never considered it this way Reply Laura Masante 2 years ago Great post..very usefull to me! Thank you Mila Reply neha 2 years ago Amazing amazing article. Thanks so much for the information, I am a self-learned designer, never knew the basics. Thanks a ton. Reply Antonia 2 years ago Happy to hear that you found it helpful! 🙂 Vincent 2 years ago I’m very grateful for this post! Changing careers and look forward to learning new skills. Reply Pratik Ramteke 2 years ago Wonderful Reading!!. Thankyou so much for the information. Cleared a lot of confusion which i had being at the initial stage of learning graphic design. Gracious! . Reply Antonia 2 years ago Glad you found it helpful! Bankole Peter 2 years ago This is very apt and insightful. Thanks ma’am Reply Iranga 2 years ago great job… Thanks for your information.. Reply Dana 2 years ago Awesome! Reply john 2 years ago this sounds fun Reply Joan 2 years ago Hi everyone, I’m a senior high school and I want to take graphic designer since i think this is for me and will enjoy it but I’m confused right now, is graphic design is under in BS Information Technology? Reply Antonia 2 years ago There are lots of different design programs for students who want to become graphic designers. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits institutions that have art and design programs, including universities, postsecondary colleges and independent institutes. You can look through their directory here. Akeem omobolanle 2 years ago I found this very educative, thanks. Reply Sharif Mohammad Mashekunnabi 2 years ago i searched for graphics design categories and something more in it. true that greatly influenced through your blog. thanks a lot. Reply Anubhav Awasthi 2 years ago Thank you so much for this detailed information. Reply Luna 2 years ago Great website : D, I love graphic design Reply Emrose 2 years ago Thanks for this article. This is really helpful since I am starting to learn graphic design on my own. The site is really beautiful. Thanks Reply designingcourses last year nice info Reply ViVer last year I liked your way to show examples with pictures Reply Antonia last year Thanks! Glad you liked the article! Albert Pena last year I needed a recap of what a graphic designer truly entails. I now realize I am not JUST a designer. I may not have done ALL of the descriptions, but I have done quite a few. Coming from the Ole School days… I have kind of lost track of what is a designer/artist. Going to enjoy being apart of this page/group. thanks Reply peter last year it was really helpful Reply rajkumar last year I want to do this job Freelance Online Reply Levi's last year Thanks for this opportunity, i would like to get a course online if available…. Reply Sumaia Akter last year Thanks for your information… Reply Nay Chi Thant last year Thanks Reply Divine last year I’m really new to design and still trying to find my ground and this article was extremely helpful. Thanks. Reply Yonis Ahmed last year Dear Author, Thanks for the full information you provided above, but, if I want to study each of them as courses, how could i get the tutorial of these diferrent designs. Please help. Thank you Reply AndrewS last year seen the the great overview you gave to us, makes me appreciate over and over and over. i have taken a step by including graphic design to be my schedule curriculum . over past years i was engaged into these other arts like the word,art and culture; and i strongly feel to take this into anther paradigm shift. for i know it transforms and changes the perception of the world around us . thank you once more .. Reply Patience last year I’m so excited am in Woooo!☺️ Reply Pharaoh last year Thank you for this timeless information that is well presented and easy to understand. I have a clearer understanding of where I fit in and what I need to improve and add to become better. Thanks again, All the best to everyone who contributed. Reply Favour last year Thanks for the information…. I found this helpful !! Reply Chris last year Wow amazing post, I had really been doing great design for people without knowing my type of design, but this article have put me on a kind. I’ve love to work for any company for free just to develop my skills more… I am really interested in the marketing and user interface graphics design Reply Agwuna Oche Daniel last year This is great. Please how do I succeed in a graphic design. Reply Chamila Karunarathne last year Great explanation Reply devanshi nayak last year i must interested in this course. Reply Justice Onyekwere Macaulay last year I am starting now Reply Tich Tanyanyiwa last year Wow brilliant article very clear and informative. Appreciate Reply EMMANUEL Akachi last year Thanks for the information about graphics designing now I can be sure that the job is good to do Reply mahesh poptani last year i want to learn Reply Wonder NG last year Simple and clear article BRAVO Reply maryam last year it really helped me so I will still be looking for more on it Reply yuvi last year A person who edits vedio..like in vfx form called as..? Reply Ruqaya 8 months ago Thank you Mila Jones for sharing lots of knowledge. Reply Amjad 5 months ago The given information was very helpful for those who are beginner and also for those who don’t know that which industry is related with their skill. ☺️ Reply Kayla 4 months ago Thanks, i needed this. It’s very informative. Reply Paul 4 months ago Thanks for your compilation. My time was well managed as I got myself improved on my path of academic discipline Reply Evance Chapuma 4 months ago This was really helpful, and it has motivated be in my dream of being a great graphic designer, buy showing me how wide this field is. Reply Akash Shahriar 4 months ago This is amazing! Such a detailed article. Thank you so much for this gift 🙂 Reply Damodhar 4 months ago Your Information is so much useful for me Thanks for it. Reply yechale birhan 2 months ago I would like to be a graphics designer and I like this page……………………………………………………thank you so much /……. Reply Rajib Taylor 2 months ago thanks for your good knowledge Reply Makenna Baptiste 2 months ago Thank you…this is useful knowledge that I will apply in my graphic designing course. Reply Mehar Aqeel 2 months ago I am a graphic designer with four years’ experience. I use adobe photoshop and adobe Illustrator to make designs. My service is packaging design, logo design, flyer design and business card design. 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The 8 types of graphic design you need to know Learn design Design basics Design resources Logos, websites, book covers & more… Get a design Before we dive into the 8 types of graphic design, let’s start with the basics: What is graphic design? Graphic design is the creation of visual compositions to solve problems and communicate ideas through typography, imagery, color and form. There’s no one way to do that, and that’s why there are several types of graphic design, each with their own area of specialization. Graphic design is the creation of visual compositions to solve problems and communicate ideas through typography, imagery, color and form. Though they often overlap, each type of graphic design requires specific sets of skills and design techniques. Many designers specialize in a single type; others focus on a set of related, similar types. But because the industry is constantly changing, designers must be adaptable and lifelong learners s...