Graphic design is the art of creating and planning visual content to deliver messages and ideas to relevant audiences.
You will find graphic design everywhere - from cereal boxes to billboards and from art to mobile applications.
They all collectively impact our emotions and perceptions because of the subtle tricks and elements they all incorporate.
After all, graphic designers are visual communicators since this profession is also known as communication design.
They bring visual thoughts to life via design software, using pictures, graphics, and text to educate or engage people. Furthermore, graphic design is a way for businesses to engage with their customers.
It is used to market and sell things, communicate a message, or create a brand image. But although a lot of graphic design is oriented towards business purposes, it may also be used for artistic expression.
So if you are thinking of adopting a graphic design career, this article will tell you everything related to it.
To get you started, here’s a list of the top graphic design schools in the United States that will provide you with a clear road map for how you can get it done.
But before that, let’s dive into what graphic designing is all about.
Principles And Elements Of Graphic Design
Shape, color, line, texture, space, scale, balance, and typography are core graphic design components and concepts. They collaborate to produce aesthetically appealing work that delivers a message.
Color
Color is undoubtedly the most essential and visible aspect of a design. It has an immediate effect on everyone, including those with a design background.
Moreover, colors may be used in backdrops and inside other components, such as lines, forms, and text.
Lines
Lines can be straight, curvy, thick, long, dashed, or short. They are universally present in every design. Lines can be used to link any two objectives, divide space, and draw viewers’ attention.
Texture
These are typically utilized to replace single-color backdrops. Brick, stone, paper, concrete, and textile are all textures used to this end.
They might be subtle or overt, and they can be employed sparingly or abundantly. In addition, textures can aid in the creation of a 3D look.
Shape
Also known as form, shapes are a grouping of lines. They can take the form of rectangles, squares, triangles, or other geometric shapes.
The majority of designs incorporate at least one shape. Moreover, similar to colors, shapes have many connotations.
A circle might signify oneness, but a square can indicate structure. A shape’s color, style, backdrop, and texture can considerably influence a viewer’s impression.
Typography
Graphic designers must address the link between how the text looks and what it says. The skill of arranging words in intelligible and interesting ways is known as typography.
Various font options can be used to portray every emotion or mood. Moreover, good typography must also provide a good visual hierarchy, balance, and appropriate tone.
Space
Negative or white space is essential for design since it improves visibility. In fact, exceptional designs will use space to allow other features to breathe.
Scale
The size and scale of objects, forms, and other features can emphasize certain facets of a design. For example, graphic designers may use a scale to establish focus points, highlighting essential sections.
Harmony
One of the primary aims of graphic design is harmony. Every aspect of a great design must function together and complement one another.
On the other hand, a design might become tedious if everything looks the same. So there should be a delicate balance between contrast and harmony.
Balance
Balance is essential for graphic designers to consider when distributing design components. Poorly balanced designs can sometimes be lively. But when done well, they act as an anchor for all other design features.
Types Of Graphic Design
You will find graphic design everywhere you look. Indeed, all sorts of careers paths are available to designers.
Therefore, we have compiled a list of potential professions you can enter after graduating with a degree in design. Hopefully, it will help you choose your major:
Marketing And Advertising
This graphic design is most frequently used to market services or goods.
Print advertisements, like billboards, catalogs, flyers, packaging, posters, and digital commercials, such as social media ads, video ads, and television ads, all rely upon professional graphic artists.
Publication
This design primarily focuses on designing and selecting artwork and typography, including graphics, photography, and drawings.
Graphic designers in this field work on projects such as newspapers, books, periodicals, and catalogs. They must be familiar with printing, color management, and digital publishing.
Web Design
Web design relates to the structure, layout, and appearance of a website. It emphasizes the customer’s experience and the front-facing components of a webpage.
Moreover, web designers employ a range of visual components, like video, graphics, text, and images to create user-friendly and visual websites and pages. Plus, it is inextricably linked to UI and UX design.
Packaging
The packaging protects items and serves as an effective marketing tool. Therefore, graphic designers create print-ready files, mockups, and concepts.
Packaging’s design requires a robust grasp of print techniques and industrial design and production. However, graphic designers must keep up with trends and rivals to produce packaging that attracts customers.
Illustration
Graphic artists produce unique artwork using a variety of mediums and techniques. They frequently have training in architecture, animation, or visual arts.
In fact, graphic designers work together with authors, editors, marketers, and art directors to help them bring their ideas to life.
Reasons To Study Graphic Design
This is the best time to study or change jobs to become a graphic designer. Companies in creative sectors (both domestic and global) are looking to express ideas in interactive and exciting ways.
Still, have reservations? Continue reading to learn five crucial reasons why pursuing a profession in graphic design might be the best move you will ever make.
1. Be Your Own Boss
Working as a graphic designer at a marketing firm or professional corporation will prepare you to be a freelancer, providing you with a first-hand understanding of the issues businesses encounter.
Thanks to this, you will always have the backup option of freelancing if anything goes wrong.
2. Master A New Talent
There are several online videos and short courses available to learn the fundamentals of graphic design.
From considering color palettes to picking appealing typefaces, you will acquire an eye for detail and aesthetic - which is a lovely thing in itself!
3. Introduce New Branding And Packaging
As humans become increasingly critical of their environment, businesses look up to graphic designers to protect their image and win over a challenging audience.
Therefore, it depends on graphic designers to develop new and compelling methods!
4. Creativity
Studying something that machines or robots could never perform is the most future-proof approach to secure your employment.
Graphic design needs human intelligence to adapt to the world’s current trends in a novel and exciting manner.
Though technology makes things simpler, human-led artistic abilities such as those provided by graphic designers are unlikely to be replaced.
However, the only key to being cutting-edge is to change and adapt.
5. Meet The Demands Of Gen-Z And The Future Generation
Gen-Z’ers and millennials make up a sizable portion of the world’s population today. They are a really creative group that likes innovating.
Who better to design compelling visual messages that meet their requirements? Graphic designers!
Top 5 Universities In The United States For Graphic Design
Below, you will find the top five universities in the United States of America you can opt for graphic design:
The Pratt Institute – Brooklyn, New York
Another notable program is the Pratt Institute, housed on a historic site in Brooklyn, New York. They believe in “poetic realism,” which combines creative sensibilities with practical competence.
Its faculty staff consists of trained professionals who primarily educate part-time.
Moreover, Pratt Institute provides a BFA in Communications Design, an academic curriculum that focuses on graphic design, illustration, and advertising (you can major in any field).
ArtCenter College Of Design – Pasadena, California
The ArtCenter’s graphic design program provides intensive instruction, including both new and old and media, producing well-rounded professionals with talents in all aspects of graphic design as a subject.
The ArtCenter promotes a creative, innovative, and socially concerned attitude among its graduates.
Maryland Institute College Of Art – Baltimore, Maryland
MICA is a contemporary, modern campus in Baltimore, offering an artisan Graphic Design BFA that strives to improve your creativity and technological skills.
Liberal arts degrees such as Critical Theory and Gender Studies are also available at MICA.
Calfornia Institute Of The Arts – Valencia, Santa Clarita, California
CalArts is for you if you dream of joining an art school created by Walt Disney.
The legendary Disney himself envisioned this institute where students from all creative disciplines might grow in a cooperative, workbench setting.
Parsons School Of Design (The New School) – Manhattan, New York
Parsons is among the best institutes with professional teachers and a stellar reputation. Moreover, they have consistently been at the top of university rankings.
In fact, in 2019, Parsons was named the world’s best design school by QS World University Rankings in the United States.
Graphic Design Salary
Have you ever asked yourself before stepping into the world of graphic designing, “is graphic design a good career?”
Of course, everyone has their doubts before starting up a career in graphic design. But what makes them choose this profession? One of the main reasons is the salary package.
According to a report, the entry-level graphic design salary in the United States of America is $15.92 per hour. Moreover, graphic designers earn approximately $37,184 per year in the US.
Learn Graphic Design With Superprof
Being a graphic designer in today’s world is nothing less than a blessing. As a result, they are high in demand in almost every sector.
If you want to become a graphic designer and need assistance from professionals, head over to Superprof. You will find the most spectacular tutors in the United States on one platform.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
