Put simply, graphic design is the art
and craft of creating visual content that communicates a concept, an idea or a
brand message to the public. Logos, artworks, drawings, illustrations, cards,
emails and a whole paraphernalia of designs are all around us. You can see them
in print and digital media, in shops, restaurants and cafes, on billboards,
books and magazines, in the apps we use, the sites we visit and the physical
and digital products we buy. In fact, graphic design is a type of communication
medium which uses visual means to convey a message. Designers use different
types of physical materials or software to combine images, graphics and text as
the main forms of expressing this message. Graphic design is used to sell, to
build brand identity or to move people towards specific actions. It is also a
form of art but ultimately, the different elements of the graphic
representation influence our perceptions and emotions. There are different
types of graphic design such as ‘visual identity’ which deals with the visual
elements of the brand via shapes, colors and images (e.g. logo design,
typography, brand style guides) and ‘marketing and advertising’ which is used
directly to generate leads and sales via print (billboards, brochures, flyers,
print ads) or digital (social media posts, banners, videos). There are many
other types such as website design, industrial and product design, fashion
design, book and illustrations, motion graphics design used for example by
streamers or in gaming design and many others.
How to hire top graphic designers?
A captivating visual presence is very
important whether you’re a business or a non-commercial entity. Your potential
audiences are already forming an opinion and deciding whether to interact with
you based on what they see, long before you’ve had a chance to say or write
something. So it’s imperative to carefully select the right freelancer to meet
your needs and keep you within budget. There are many different areas in which
graphic designers specialize so if you want to hire the right talent to meet
the requirements of your particular project, here are some easy to follow tips
and tricks. - Always research their portfolio on Fiverr and ask for more
examples if necessary; - Carefully think about what your style and preferences
are so you know what you like, what you don’t like and what you actually want
(colors, graphics, images, etc); - Write a clear brief - depending on the size
of the project your brief can be very short or contain a lot of detail. What’s
important is to be clear on the important points; - Define a budget and be
clear to yourself and the freelancer how far you can stretch it; - Form a clear
agreement on deadlines and revisions and respect the work of the designer - if
you are clear on the above points then there shouldn’t be any surprises; -
Think long-term - a good designer will be able to help you holistically and
develop an evolving long-term vision for your product or service.
How much does it cost to hire a
graphic designer
There is no simple answer to this
question as graphic design is not a commodity or a product that has an exact
way to be measured or priced. The great thing about Fiverr is that you can find
a freelance graphic designer for any budget, starting from just $5 per gig and
going up to hundreds or thousands of dollars for more complex and time and
resource consuming requirements. However, there are a number of factors that
will influence the final price of the project such as the level of experience
of the seller (from novices to Top Rated and Pro Sellers), the number or
service options included in the gig, delivery times, number of revisions and
whether any extras might need to be added at some point. In fact, revisions can
be a very tricky area for graphic design projects so it’s key for you to have
very clear requirements to start with and also to agree with the seller what
their output will be (e.g.how many initial versions they will offer) to avoid
any misunderstandings or unwanted surprises on both sides. A more experienced
designer will charge more, however, they can also help you define your
requirements and save time (and money) in the long-run by keeping you on track
for your goals. Alternatively, a new freelancer who’s perhaps less experienced
or trying to build their reputation will be priced more competitively but might
not have the skills or professional maturity of a seasoned creative director.
How do I write a good creative design
brief?
The creative brief is a key document
that essentially defines the objectives, scope and key milestones of a design
project. It gives the required information to the freelance graphic designer on
what needs to be done, who the target audience will be, what key message(s)
need to be communicated, what deliverables are expected, by when (deadlines and
milestones). The creative brief is basically the blueprint that you’ll need to
agree with your internal stakeholders, business partners or colleagues (or if
you are a one-person-show - find a friend or someone you trust to use as a
sounding board) and then present to the freelancer to guide, inspire them and
ensure they deliver the best possible creative results. Here are some universal
tips for writing a good creative brief that equally apply to most: - Start by
answering the ‘what’ (your goal is) and ‘who’ (your audience is); - Be clear,
concise and to the point - less is more in this case so avoid being too
prescriptive and don’t elaborate too much; - Set realistic deadlines and factor
in the time for feedback and revisions; - Ask for help - from your team,
colleagues stakeholders; - Define what success will look like so both you and
the designer can measure the results in the end (and stick to your initial
definitions). Once you have all this, keep it as a template and use for future
briefs as it’ll save you time and will ensure you can build long-term
relationships with the graphic designers you work with.
What’s the best way to hire a
designer in less than 48 hours?
Finding a good graphic designer is
very important for the way your business and brand is presented to your target
audience so you need to be very careful in who you put your trust in. You will
need to get to grips with some graphic design 101’s in order to become better
at selection. Having said that, we know that sometimes there are business
emergencies and you might find yourself in a situation when you need to hire a
professional logo designer, illustration artist, front-end/UX or web designer
or any type of freelance graphic designer in a hurry. The good news is that
Fiverr can help you do that even if you only have 48 hours or less to complete
your project. We have expert freelancers from around the globe, working 24/7
waiting to satisfy all your needs. Here’s what to do: - Publish a buyer request
so you can reach a big audience of freelancers who can offer you their
services; - Clearly state your requirements, your budget and your deadline and
sellers will start to contact you immediately; - Make sure to follow through
with offers and ask relevant questions about experience, how the freelancer
will approach the project, expectations about time and milestones before you
decide to place an order; - Read buyer reviews and ask for additional portfolio
examples if not sure; - Look for the seller rating (Fiver Top Rated and Pro
sellers will command higher prices but will have more experience and skills).
What makes graphic design so
important?
We live in a visual society so
images, packaging, signage, illustrations, websites, apps and social media all
vie for our attention, making it very challenging to become noticeable let
alone memorable amongst the overload of visual stimuli. In a nutshell, the most
important mission that graphic design plays is communication. Communication of
ideas and messages, with the ultimate objective of elicit, prompt or evoke an
action or an emotion (which will become an action in the future). So a good
graphic designer will build your logo, create your email campaign or company
stationery, do everything possible (given the right brief) to set you apart
from your competition and convey a message that exudes trust, credibility and
builds a consistent brand and company reputation. A well executed design
project will ensure that the final output, be it a flyer or your product
packaging, or even the design of your office space or your frontline staff’s
uniforms summarizes your mission and vision statements and communicates in a
clear and simple manner the main ideas that are behind your company or
organization and what it stands for. When you hire a good graphic design
professional, preferably one you can trust on more than one project, they will
ensure that all representations of your products and brand are visually
consistent, recognizable and conveying a clear message. Ultimately, when you
ask yourself ‘How important is it that my customers recognize me?’, if the
answer is ‘very important’ then so should graphic design be for your brand!
1. What exactly is graphic design?
2. The importance of graphic design
in business today
3. Graphic designer: definition and
jobs
1. What exactly is graphic design?
Graphic design uses visual and
textual elements such as typography, photography, iconography, and illustration
to communicate ideas or messages, which therefore influence our perceptions. It
is most commonly utilized for projects, events, campaigns, or products, and
aims to help the producer connect with their target consumer through these
visual and textual cues.
Common examples of graphic design
work you might see every day include:
Marketing materials, such as flyers,
brochures, and posters
Product packaging and labels
Website layouts
Infographics
Web and social media advertisements
T-shirt and apparel designs
Magazines, newspapers, and catalogs
Graphic design can be broken down as
serving two important functions: creating aesthetics that maximize usability
and creating visuals that shape users’ emotions. Let’s look at each of these in
more depth below.
#1. Graphic design creates aesthetics
that maximize usability
On the surface, graphic design is
about attracting a target audience using visual elements such as graphics,
color, and typography, however, the craft must also take into consideration one
vital element: user experience. This is particularly true for those working in
the field of user experience (UX) design, as they must take on a human-centered
approach with their work.
Along with considering the visual
appeal of graphics, designers must aim to maximize usability to ensure what
they design also serves a purpose. This means not only considering how a button
on a sales page, for example, must look stylistically (including color, shape,
outline, size, etc.), but also where it should be placed on the page to enhance
both the user’s experience and conversion rates. Therefore, graphic design must
consider a user’s visual processing abilities too.
#2. Graphic design creates visuals
that shape users’ emotions
Graphic design also has strong ties
with emotional design, as designers must take a viewer’s emotions,
expectations, and beliefs into consideration when creating visuals. This is
where color theory comes into play, as the chosen color palette will not only
convey certain messages to a viewer but influence their emotional response to
the design too. For example, red is a color that is often seen to signify
danger or an alert, whereas blue is associated with the ocean and sky, and
therefore encourages a more tranquil response.
Graphic design therefore must use
elements, including typography, that match the tone of the piece and shape a
user’s emotions as they interact with the overall design from start to finish.
Essentially, graphic design is also about making design considerations with
user psychology in mind.
As you can see, graphic design differs
from visual arts in the fact that it doesn’t just concentrate on beauty; but
rather, it ensures beauty and usability go hand-in-hand.
The benefits of graphic design for
your business
Graphic design uses graphical and
textual elements to influence our perceptions of the world around us, and
therefore provides a wide range of benefits to businesses both small and large.
Along with informing, educating, or persuading your target audience, graphic
design also assists your business in the following ways:
#1. Positive first impression
Visual elements of your branding,
including your logo design, color palette, and more, are often the first sense
a prospective client will gain of your business. Therefore, it's important that
these brand assets are unique, eye-catching, and communicate the right message
to consumers. By following graphic design principles, your brand assets will be
designed to create a positive first impression that drives more business your
way.
#2. Professional image
When your visual branding assets are
used consistently and uniformly across your online presence, marketing
materials, product packaging, and more, it helps you to boost your business'
professional image. Well-executed graphic design ensures your brand identity
remains the same, no matter the context in which it's being interacted with,
thus becoming more memorable in consumers' minds.
#3. Brand recognition
Graphic design is also an effective
tool for establishing an instant connection between your brand's values and the
products or services you offer. When used successfully, graphic design should
help to build brand recognition among consumers, allowing them to instantly
recognize your business through visual cues such as your logo, color scheme,
packaging, and more. This allows you to stand out in a consumer's mind,
separating you from your competitors.
#4. Communication
Visual aids are great at communicating
ideas, which is why graphic design is so vital for educating, informing, and
persuading audiences. Often, when businesses want to communicate an idea or
message more effectively, they look to expertly designed images to convey this
successfully.
#5. Trust and credibility
When graphic design is used to foster
effective communication, it can also help to boost a brand's trust and
credibility, as consumers feel informed. When a business is able to establish
trust and credibility among their target audience, it also assists with
convincing these consumers about the quality of their products or services,
therefore increasing their sales. This knock-on effect from successful graphic
design allows a business to thrive in the long run.
#6. Higher conversions
Eye-catching graphic design attracts
more traffic to a business' website, online store, or physical store, which
increases their chances of conversions - whether it's through product or
service sales, email subscribers, digital downloads, and more. When benefits
such as a positive first impression, professional image, brand recognition,
effective communication, and a boost in trust and credibility are combined,
this is also a surefire way to improve sales and revenue.
What is the purpose of graphic design?
The purpose of graphic design is to
communicate visually; however, it also serves numerous other purposes, all of
which we explore below.
#1. Lays the foundation for branding
strategy
A company’s brand image is extremely
important, as it is the perception of the brand in the mind of the consumer.
Graphic design serves the important purpose of laying the foundation for this
brand image through creating visual branding assets such as logos, website
design, business cards, banners, social media graphics, and more.
Graphic design combines principles
such as color psychology, artistic harmony, market research, target audience
demographics, and the mission and vision of the business to design and create
assets that adhere to a company’s branding strategy.
#2. Beautifies
Another purpose of graphic design is
to focus on the aesthetics of visual content, ensuring it is pleasing to look
at. An eye-catching visual asset, such as a flyer, poster, or social media
graphic, will perform better than one that isn’t, so the visual appeal of
content should never be underestimated.
Creating beautiful imagery also ties
in with establishing a positive brand image, as you want your customers to
associate your brand with a pleasing visual experience too.
#3. Enhances user experience
Imagine if content was only created
in large blocks of text that were difficult to read through, let alone grasp
the overall message. This is where graphic design enhances user experience, as
it uses design principles such as typography, color, and images to convey
information in a more appealing, and often condensed, way.
#4. Improves navigation
Graphic design also plays a large
role in enhancing the navigation and usability of websites and other
applications as it uses visual cues such as arrows, symbols, lines, and more,
to direct users. Not only do users enjoy harmonious composition and stylish
navigational features, but including these visual assets can also improve
customer retention and conversions.
The elements and principles that make
up design
Now that you know what graphic design
is, as well as its purpose, it’s important to learn the elements and principles
that make up design, as these serve a vital role within the field.
The elements of graphic design
include:
Color
Size
Shape
Line
Form
Texture
Space
These elements can be used in
combination or contrast to each other in order to create visuals that are
eye-catching and highly effective.
The principles of graphic design
include:
Contrast
Balance
Rhythm
Emphasis
Movement
Proportion
Think of these as a set of guidelines
that help a designer to achieve the perfect composition in a piece.
Types of graphic design
As you’ve probably realized by now,
graphic design is quite broad. Although it contains a set of general ‘rules’ or
guidelines, the industry is made up of several specializations, each focusing
on a different type of graphic design.
Let’s look at the various types of
graphic design in more detail.
#1. Visual identity graphic design
A brand identity is the collection of
elements a business uses to portray its desired image to the consumer,
including its:
logo
color palette
typography
other visual elements
This is where visual identity graphic
design comes into play, as it is responsible for designing the elements that
form the brand’s visual identity.
Visual identity graphic designers
will often create a set of brand guidelines (or ‘style guides’) which help to
establish visual brand consistency across marketing or branding assets into the
future. The visual identity of a brand is extremely important, which is why
this sub-category is the most common type of graphic design.
#2. Marketing and advertising graphic
design
Graphic design helps organizations
promote and communicate their brand, products, and services in a more
effective, visual manner. Marketing and advertising graphic design include:
magazine ads
vehicle wraps
flyers
brochures
billboards
web banners
social media ads
postcards
trade show displays
#3. User interface graphic design
A user interface refers to the things
a person uses to interact with a device or application, including the keyboard,
screen, or mouse. Therefore, when we refer to user interface graphic design,
this involves the user’s visual experience with the interface and its design,
such as the buttons, menus, and more.
Although a user interface must have technical functionality, it’s
equally as important for it to have an aesthetic appeal that makes it enjoyable
and easy to operate.
Examples of user interface graphic
design include:
Web page design
Desktop app design
Game interfaces
Mobile app design
Theme design, such as for WordPress,
Shopify, Squarespace, etc.
#4. Publication graphic design
Publication graphic design is the
application of graphic design elements and principles to long-form pieces that
are publicly distributed to communicate with an audience. Examples include:
Books
Magazines
Newspapers
Catalogs
Newsletters
Reports
Directories
Although publication graphic design
once solely referred to print mediums, it now also refers to digital forms of
publishing, an area that has dramatically increased in popularity within the
last decade alone.
#5. Packaging graphic design
Packaging graphic design is built on
the belief that every protective casing for a product can be an opportunity to
delight consumers and tell the brand’s story. It includes choices in:
Material
Form
Texture
Graphics
Colors
Fonts
It aims to provide consumers with a
sensual experience and engage them through sight, touch, sound, smell, and/or
taste, depending on the product. Additionally, good packaging design should be
able to convey the answers to the following questions, all within a glance:
What is the product?
Who is the product for?
How and why are people buying the
product?
#6. Motion graphic design
As the term suggests, motion graphics
just refers to graphics that are moving (or in motion). This can include
animation, typography, video, illustrations, and other design elements that are
used in online media, television, and film. Common examples include:
Lyric videos
Title sequences and end credits
Animated logos
Video games
GIFs
Tutorial videos
Banners
It takes the core components of
graphic design, including its elements and principles, and adds movement to it.
The aim is that through adding movement, it keeps the viewer engaged visually
for longer, all while effectively illustrating an idea or message to them.
#7. Environmental graphic design
Environmental graphic design is a
broad area of design that merges graphic, architectural, interior, landscape,
and industrial design. Its main goal is to improve people’s experiences within
their environment by making them more memorable, fascinating, helpful, or
easier to navigate.
Examples include:
Wall murals
Signage
Interiors of retail stores, event
spaces, offices, etc.
Museum exhibitions
Public transport navigation
Interactive displays
Ultimately, environmental graphic
design provides visual cues that help people not only identify where they are
but also get from their current destination to their desired destination
without confusion.
#8. Art and illustration for graphic
design
While graphic design involves the use
of art and illustration, it’s important to note that these disciplines still
remain separate. This is because, while graphic designers create and assemble
visual pieces to communicate messages or enhance an individual’s experience,
artists and illustrators create original artwork for purposes such as
decoration, fine art, or storytelling.
Art and illustration, however, are
often created for commercial use within graphic design and can be found in
advertisements, packaging, branding, and marketing materials. Therefore, it is
vital to include these mediums within this section.
2. The importance of graphic design
in business today
There’s no denying how vital graphic
design is for businesses, especially in today’s fast-paced, visually-driven
society. Research indicates that:
90% of the information transmitted in
the human brain is visual
65% of the population are classified
as ‘visual learners’
Visuals are processed 60,000 times
faster than text
To understand the critical importance
graphic design plays in a business, it’s helpful to look at exactly which areas
of a business rely on the practice.
#1. Custom Logo
Your logo is what separates your
business from its competitors and it's the most important design asset you have
representing your brand. It's often the first thing a target customer will see
in relation to your company and therefore has the ability to set a great first
impression and persuade them to do business with you. While typography plays a
vital role in the success of your logo, so too does its color palette. Graphic
design utilizes color theory to ensure your logo's color palette communicates
the right message to the right audience and evokes the emotions you want them
to feel when interacting with your brand.
Find a logo designer for hire
#2. Advertising
Without a hero image, bold
typography, and a clear call to action, it is highly unlikely your
advertisement will capture attention, let alone convert prospects. If you want
to cut through the noise and deliver your advertising message quickly and
effectively, then your advertisement needs to adhere to the elements and
principles of graphic design that we discussed earlier. Remember, graphic
design aims to condense large amounts of information and convey it visually for
greater ease, both of which are necessary for advertising.
#3. Website
The aim of your brand’s website
should be to attract, engage, and convert visitors, and this just isn’t
possible without the visual cues and aesthetically pleasing organization of
information that graphic design allows. You see, graphic design elements and
principles allow us to enhance a user’s experience, all while successfully
moving them from A to B on your website through navigational prompts, clear
messaging, and expertly placed calls to action.
#4. Sales collateral
Materials developed to help boost the
sales process, such as product catalogs or brochures, also rely heavily on
graphic design to enhance a business’ brand and messaging. They incorporate
visual elements such as pleasing typography, appropriate imagery, and cohesive
formatting to ensure the brand’s aims, voice, and message isn’t lost on the
page.
#5. Marketing collateral
Similarly, with your advertising and
sales collateral, your marketing collateral relies heavily on graphic design to
capture attention, increase brand recognition, and attract sales. Remember,
good marketing designs lead to a boost in credibility, and good credibility
will encourage your customers to trust you with their wants and needs,
therefore increasing conversions. Through the creation of a brand style guide,
you can also ensure your marketing collateral remains cohesive and in line with
your brand.
#6. Social media
Using custom branded visuals across
your social media allows you to tie your online presence to your digital and
physical branding, therefore further establishing cohesiveness. It also boosts
the authenticity and integrity of your brands’ voice and encourages consumers
to follow and interact with your brand on social media.
#7. Presentations
Almost 85% of presentations are said
to be highly visually focused, meaning that design plays a vital role in these
projects. As we mentioned earlier, 90% of the information transmitted in the
human brain is visual, so you’ll need to capitalize on this through the visual
appearance of your presentation if you want to succeed. Through the use of
colors, typography, and imagery, you can keep your audience engaged throughout
the presentation and ensure it flows seamlessly from one slide to the next.
#8. Packaging design
A popular saying goes, “we eat with
our eyes,” but did you know that as humans, we shop with our eyes too? This is
why it’s important for your product packaging to encompass graphic design
elements and principles, as you’ll not only want to leave a lasting impression
but also capture the attention of your target audience. Perfectly designed
packaging adheres to the company’s branding and understands the visual
hierarchy. Additionally, it is designed with your target customer’s desired
aesthetic, taste, wants, and needs in mind.
3. Graphic designer: definition and
jobs
Now that you have a broad
understanding of what graphic design is and the importance it has within your
business, it's time to turn our attention to the role of a graphic designer and
the various positions this industry entails.
What is a graphic designer?
A graphic designer creates and
assembles visual elements such as images and typography to produce a piece of
design, whether by hand or by using computer software. Their main aims are to
inspire, inform, and attract consumers, and they do this through using the
elements and principles of design, both of which we outlined previously in this
guide.
They are experts at communicating
messages or ideas visually, hence why they are also sometimes referred to as communication
designers. Graphic designers may sometimes collaborate with other creative
professionals too, such as artists, illustrators, or animators, to bring their
designs to life.
Along with having an excellent eye
for design, graphic designers are also praised for being communication experts
and visual-thinking problem solvers.
What does a graphic designer do?
Graphic designers are becoming
increasingly important to businesses, as their role is vital to creating a
professional brand image, conveying the right messages, attracting target
audiences, and boosting brand recognition, trust, and credibility.
Graphic designers must:
Combine principles of art and
technology to convey particular messages through their choice of imagery and
layout
Use a wide variety of design elements
to achieve the desired look or effect
Create the overall design and layout
for marketing materials such as flyers, brochures, magazines, and
advertisements
Choose and arrange textual elements,
including font, font size, type, line length, text position, and more
Determine the relationship between
imagery and text in a layout, including spacing
Work closely with copywriters to
determine what text will be included in a design and how it will be displayed
Liaise with clients, customers, and
management to ensure their designs reflect the intended message and information
Typically, an average day for a graphic
designer would include the following tasks:
Meeting with clients or an art
director to discuss the scope of a project, including its goals, deliverables,
tasks, deadlines, budget, and more
Creating designs through illustration
or by using software
Creating visual elements such as
logos, color palettes, typography, or illustrations to deliver a specific
message
Designing layouts, including
arranging color palettes, typography, or illustrations to adhere to a brand’s
style guide
Presenting design concepts to
management or clients
Incorporating recommended changes
into design elements, as per the client’s or management’s feedback
Reviewing designs for flaws or
mistakes before they are finalized
Of course, there isn’t a ‘one size
fits all’ when it comes to describing the role of a graphic designer,
particularly as their position may vary depending on what type of graphic
designer they are, including an in-house graphic designer, an agency graphic designer,
or a freelance graphic designer. Let’s look at the differences between each.
#1. In-house graphic designers
When a graphic designer works
in-house, it means they are employed by a single company to meet their creative
needs and are therefore considered generalists in the graphic design work they
focus on. Focusing on just one brand or a set of related brands from a single
company allows an in-house graphic designer to develop a long-term strategy
with their work, plus helps them to develop a solid understanding of their
target audience and the brand’s preferred style and tone.
They must adhere to established brand
guidelines and will often be collaborating with members of staff who aren’t
designers themselves, such as copywriters, marketers, and management.
#2. Agency graphic designers
A graphic design agency is hired by
independent organizations or clients and asked to create designs for a specific
campaign or project, which is usually short-term. Therefore, graphic designers
employed by an agency tend to work across multiple brands from various
industries.
Agencies are known for their tight
deadlines and fast-paced nature however, fewer communication issues may arise
due to the graphic design-centered team. Additionally, this means, unlike in an
in-house setting, daily tasks rarely fall outside of the graphic design realm.
#3. Freelance graphic designers
As with any freelance or
self-employed role, being a freelance graphic designer requires a lot of
motivation and self-discipline. This is because freelancers don’t have the
luxury of having other team members to handle aspects of the business such as
customer service, marketing, and accounting, and therefore, must also factor
these tasks into their week.
The role does, of course, come with
its creative freedom, and graphic designers can choose where they work when
they work, and who they work with, as well as what their rate is. Running your
own business can be hugely rewarding, but freelance graphic designers must also
be prepared for potential downsides such as having no co-workers, having to
actively seek out clients, and the ebb-and-flow of a freelancer’s income.
Common graphic design jobs
The graphic design industry has
changed rapidly over the last two decades alone, with a significant shift from
print graphic design to digital graphic design. This reflects businesses'
growing reliance on digital forms of media and advertising, including through
websites, eCommerce, and social media.
In fact, it is believed that by 2028
the employment of graphic designers in computer systems design services will
grow by 24%.
Graphic design also encompasses
several different roles within the industry, with each focusing on a
specialized area or position. The other most common graphic design job titles
include:
#1. Creative director
The creative director is the head of
a creative team responsible for planning and designing the layout and visuals
for print and digital assets. They determine the creative vision of the project
and require excellent time management, leadership, team management, and
budgeting skills.
Although they predominantly lead the
creative team through the process of completing the project, they too often
take part in the visual design process and collaborate with roles such as
copywriters, art directors, and graphic designers.
#2. Art director
The art director is in charge of the
overall production of an artistic project, whether it be in theater, marketing,
publishing, fashion, film, or video games. Along with directing other artists
to bring about the successful completion of the project, they too create the
design and contribute their ideas.
It is important for an art director
to work closely with the client or employer in order to create a finished
project that not only meets the desired goals and overall design but the budget
too.
#3. Web designer
A web designer designs and arranges
the appearance and layout of a web page, including content and graphics. Their
major goals are to make the web page aesthetically pleasing and highly
functional, contributing to a positive customer experience. A web designer has
immense knowledge of coding, as they must use this to lay out the website, and
will keep things such as SEO and rankings in mind when designing the page, to
increase its success.
#4. User experience (UX) designer
The user experience (UX) designer
differs from the web designer, as their role is to focus solely on the
experience of the user, therefore working on the ‘behind the scenes’ of the
design. They aim to understand how a user thinks and feels, and rely heavily on
user research, usability testing, content strategy, and related data. They are
less about the visual elements of a web page or application and more about
forming a strategy to deliver the best user experience possible. As a result,
however, web designers and UX designers often work closely together.
How to hire a graphic designer
If you’re looking to hire a graphic
designer to assist you with your branding or an upcoming project, then you’re
in luck. We’ve outlined our top tips to help you find and hire the right
graphic designer for the job.
Tip 1. Have an understanding of and
respect for the craft
Some businesses fail to see the
importance of hiring a qualified and experienced graphic designer, and instead,
will outsource the work for free to someone with little graphic design skills
or knowledge. Don't set yourself up for failure, and instead, understand that
professional graphic design work must come with fair compensation.
Additionally, ensure you have a well-researched contract in place first, before
embarking on the collaboration, as this will protect both you and the freelance
graphic designer you've chosen to work with.
It's also vital for you to understand
why you're hiring a graphic designer in the first place, and ensure you know
exactly what it is that you're trying to achieve. This will save a lot of
back-and-forth between you both, and allow the graphic designer to bring your
vision and goal to fruition.
Tip 2. Do your homework
It's one thing to know what it is
that you need from the graphic designer, as well as why, and another thing
entirely to understand what your graphic design style is. This isn't just
important for narrowing down which graphic designer has the required expertise
for the job but also helps you create a brief for the designer, which is the next
vital step.
Seek inspiration online, from other
businesses, and through physical sources such as magazines, billboards, flyers,
and more to determine the following:
What design styles do you like?
What design styles do you dislike?
Why do you feel this way?
Keep records of these things so they
can be used as references prior to the design stage.
Tip 3. Write a creative brief
As the business owner, you're
responsible for providing the graphic designer with a creative brief that focuses
on your objectives and supplies the designer with additional guidance regarding
who you are and what you do. In your brief, include the following:
Your relevant design ideas, which you
found in the previous step
Specifications, including what type
of designs you need, their required size, if they must follow a brand style
guide, and more
Target audience
Brand personality, voice, vision, and
mission
Competitors
Expected project time frame or
deadlines
Any other relevant information about
your business
Tip 4. Look for extensions
It's understandable that when you
find a great graphic designer who understands your brand, you'll want to work
with them time and time again. Think about other ways your business can benefit
from their services, even if it's in the future. Developing a long term
collaboration with a graphic designer will also save you time and money in the
long run, as they will already know the ins and outs of your business,
including your target audience, aims, and preferred design style.
Conclusion
Graphic design serves an important
role in the way consumers interact with, perceive, and experience your brand,
so it’s vital that you not only understand the practice but also embrace it
within your business.
Furthermore, the elements and
principles of graphic design are applied to communicate specific messages,
establish brand identity, attract target audiences, and enhance usability, all
of which are necessary for your business to not only survive but thrive.
0 Comments