Contents:<\/p>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- 1. What is graphic design? A definition and examples <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- 2. Where does graphic design come from? A brief history <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- 3. What are the different types of graphic design? (With examples)\r\n <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- 4. What are the basic elements and principles of graphic design? <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- 5. What is the graphic design process? <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- 6. What does a graphic designer do? <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- 7. What skills do graphic designers need? <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- 8. What tools and software do graphic designers use?\r\n <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- 9. What are some common graphic design job titles and career paths?\r\n <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- 10. How much do graphic designers earn? <\/a><\/li>\r\n
- 11. How to get started with graphic design\r\n <\/a><\/li>\r\n
- 12. Next steps <\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
Let\u2019s start with a definition and some examples.<\/p>\r\n
1. What is graphic design? A definition and examples<\/h2>\r\n
Graphic design is a creative, artistic discipline that originates from the printing industry. Graphic design is a form of visual communication, using elements such as colour, type, shapes, and images, to bring a concept to life and communicate certain messages or ideas. <\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
Graphic design is all around us. Think back to the last book you read. What did the front cover look like? What impression did you get of the book based on the cover design? <\/p>\r\n\r\n
And how about the last billboard advert you saw while waiting for the bus, or the packaging on your favourite chocolate bar or cereal box, or the posters advertising upcoming concerts and gigs that you often come across?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image8-1.png\")
<\/a>\r\n\r\nEach of these instances is proof of the fact that graphic design is everywhere, and we come across it in different aspects of our daily lives. <\/p>\r\n
![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Insidce1.webp\" "\\"Example")
\r\nBack in the day, graphic design related to the design of physical, printed things\u2014like books, magazines, posters, and product packaging. Now, it also encompasses digital design\u2014for example, the design of website graphics, logos, digital brochures, and e-books. <\/p>\r\n
What\u2019s the purpose of graphic design?<\/p>\r\n
Graphic design is closely related to marketing, advertising, and branding. It\u2019s not just about creating beautiful, eye-catching designs, but also about capturing and conveying a specific message to a target audience.<\/p> \r\n\r\n
The purpose of graphic design is to:<\/p>\r\n
- \r\nCommunicate a message <\/strong><\/li>\r\n
- Evoke certain emotions in the target audience<\/strong><\/li>\r\n
- Create and reinforce a strong brand identity<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
Graphic design is, first and foremost, a visual communication tool. It presents important information\u2014for example, the title of a book, the name of a company or brand, or the contact details on someone\u2019s business card\u2014to the user.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But beyond that, graphic design indirectly communicates something about the product and\/or the brand itself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Take the example of Kellogg\u2019s cereal. Their fun, brightly-coloured boxes feature cartoon animals and playful shapes\u2014designed to appeal to kids. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Another great example is Simple Skincare. The packaging for these products is designed to capture what the brand is all about\u2014simple ingredients, no harsh chemicals, and clean and environmentally friendly. This essence is communicated through the plain green and white branding.<\/p> \r\n
![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Inside2-45.webp\" "\\"Example")
\r\nNot only does graphic design communicate with the end user; it also evokes certain emotions. In our Simple Skincare example, the colours, type, and \u2018clean\u2019 overall design, would likely evoke feelings of calmness and trust in the customer\/end user. In contrast, the packaging for Charlotte Tilbury cosmetic products is much fancier, evoking a sense of luxury and decadence. <\/p>\r\n
![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Inside3-36.webp\" "\\"Example")
\r\nThe graphic designers behind these products haven\u2019t just focused on creating beautiful designs. They\u2019ve designed it in a way that will stir up certain feelings or trigger specific associations among the target audience, in turn reinforcing the brand identity. <\/p>\r\n
2. Where does graphic design come from? A brief history<\/h2>\r\n
Humans have been using design as a means of communication since the beginning of time. As such, the history of graphic design can be traced right back to early cave paintings from about 38,000 BC.<\/a> <\/p>\r\n
So how did we get from prehistoric cave drawings to graphic design as we know it today?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
Here\u2019s a brief timeline of this evolution:<\/p>\r\n
\r\n38,000 BC<\/strong>: Prehistoric cave paintings show the first signs of humans using visuals to communicate.<\/p><\/li>\r\n
200 CE-1040 CE:<\/strong> In China, people started to print designs\u2014first onto silk, and then later onto paper. In 1040, Bi Sheng invented the world\u2019s first movable type printing press made of porcelain.<\/p><\/li>\r\n\r\n
1389:<\/strong> In the 14th century, King Richard II of England passed a law whereby all pubs selling beer and ale must have a sign outside to make it easier for the public to locate them. This is one of the first examples of graphic design used for advertising. <\/p><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n
1439:<\/strong> The Gutenberg press was invented, bringing movable type to Europe. For the first time ever, it became affordable to mass-produce books\u2014making literature more accessible and taking a big stride toward graphic design for commercial use. The late 1400s also saw the first use of logos<\/a> in the printing industry.<\/p><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n
1837:<\/strong> As technology continued to advance, chromolithography was born, making it possible to print in colour. This worked its way into advertising, with brands using colour to appeal to their target audience.<\/p><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n
1903:<\/strong> The early 20th century gave rise to the first graphic design agency, the Wiener Werkst\u00e4tte (Viennese workshops) in Austria. At the time, it was a lucrative association of architects, designers, and artists, dedicated to the production of modern decorative arts. <\/p><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n
1919:<\/strong> Another key step in the history of graphic design is the Bauhaus movement. In 1919, German architect Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus school with the goal of bringing together all different branches of design as art. With its focus on minimalism and \u2018function before form\u2019, the Bauhaus movement had a huge hand in shaping graphic design as we know it today.<\/p><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n
1922:<\/strong> Finally, graphic design gets a name! Book designer William Addison Dwiggins coined the term \u2018graphic design\u2019 in 1922. He used it to describe his work involving book design, lettering, typography, and calligraphy<\/a>. <\/p><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n
1947:<\/strong> Designer Paul Rand published his book, Thoughts on Design<\/em><\/a>, which became one of the most influential works in the field. In it, he shared his philosophies, theories, and ideologies, all of which would go on to shape the field of graphic design as we know it.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
Today, graphic design takes many different forms. With the rise of computers and graphic design software, this creative discipline now spans both the physical and digital realms. Next, we\u2019ll explore the different types of graphic design.<\/p>\r\n
![\"Work](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/inside6-9.webp\" "\\"Work")
\r\n3. What are the different types of graphic design? (With examples)<\/h2>\r\n
Here are the main types of graphic design along with some examples of each.<\/p>\r\n
Branding and visual identity<\/h3>\r\n
This type of graphic design is about helping companies (or individuals) craft their brand identity. Graphic designers in this field help to bring the brand to life through visual design, choosing and\/or designing the colour palettes, logos, typography, and imagery that best represent the brand.<\/p> \r\n\r\n
Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
- Designing company\/brand logos\u2014think Nike, Apple, Instagram, and Twitter (to name a few)<\/li>\r\n
- Choosing brand colours and colour palettes<\/a>\u2014consider our earlier example of the Simple Skincare brand which uses a clean green and white colour palette versus the luxurious golds, pinks and browns of Charlotte Tilbury products<\/li>\r\n
- Designing typography to be used throughout the company website and across any branded materials<\/li><\/ul>\r\n
Graphic design for marketing and advertising<\/h3>\r\n
Some graphic designers specialise in creating visual assets for marketing and advertising campaigns. Such designs can span a broad range of media and channels\u2014from email marketing assets, social media graphics, and imagery and infographics<\/a> to be used in blog articles, right through to designing the overall layout and individual assets for print adverts or billboards. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
- \r\nDesigning email newsletter templates<\/li>\r\n
- Creating illustrations and\/or animations for social media ads<\/li>\r\n
- Designing magazine, newspaper, and other print ads<\/li>\r\n
- Creating images and infographics for blog articles<\/li>\r\n
- Designing posters and billboard ads<\/li><\/ul>\r\n
Digital graphic design<\/h3>\r\n
Digital graphic design is exactly as it sounds: graphic design for digital devices and channels. This can include designing for websites and mobile apps (perhaps as a user interface (UI) designer), 3D modelling, or designing graphics to be used in digital marketing and advertising campaigns (like those we touched on previously under \u2018graphic design for marketing and advertising\u2019). <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
- Designing logos<\/a>, icons, and images for websites, apps, and other digital content<\/li>\r\n
- Creating\/choosing typography and colour schemes for websites and apps<\/li>\r\n
- Designing online banner ads and pop-ups<\/li>\r\n
- Designing graphics for video games<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
Packaging design<\/h3>\r\n
Product packaging isn\u2019t just a practical requirement, but also a branding<\/a> opportunity\u2014and packaging design is another niche arm of graphic design. Designers working in this area are responsible for all the visual aspects of a product\u2019s physical packaging, from colour and imagery to type and layout. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
- Designing food packaging (think cereal boxes, chocolate bar wrappers, drink cans, soup cartons, etc.)<\/li>\r\n
- Designing cosmetics and skincare packaging<\/li>\r\n
- Designing takeaway coffee cups (think Starbucks)<\/li>\r\n
- Designing branded boxes and carrier bags<\/li><\/ul>\r\n
Editorial and publishing<\/h3>\r\n
Graphic design has roots in the publishing industry. So, it\u2019s no surprise that graphic designers<\/a> continue to work in publishing today. This type of graphic design involves providing creative direction\u2014and\/or actually designing the layout, typography, and artwork\u2014for any kind of publication, be it print or digital. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
- Graphic design for physical, printed books, magazines, and brochures<\/li>\r\n
- Graphic design for digital magazines and e-books<\/li><\/ul>\r\n
Environmental graphic design<\/h3>\r\n
Earlier referred to as \u2018architectural signage\u2019, environmental graphic design focuses on providing visual cues to help people navigate their way around a particular building or space. The goal of environmental graphic design (or \u2018experiential\u2019 design, as it\u2019s sometimes called) is to use visuals to enhance a person\u2019s experience of physical spaces.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
- Shopfronts and signs<\/li>\r\n
- Museum exhibitions<\/li>\r\n
- The design of public transport systems and spaces<\/li>\r\n
- Store and supermarket design<\/li>\r\n
- The design of event, conference, and office spaces<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
Those are the main types of graphic design<\/a>. Now let\u2019s move on to explore the basic elements and principles that graphic designers follow.<\/p>\r\n
![\"Designer](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Inside5-13.webp\" "\\"Designer")
\r\n4. What are the basic elements and principles of graphic design?<\/h2>\r\n
The basic elements of graphic design are shapes, <\/strong> lines,<\/strong> colour, <\/strong> texture,<\/strong> type,<\/strong> space,<\/strong> and images.<\/strong> These are the main components a graphic designer will use to create their designs and form the foundational curriculum of a graphic design course<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The fundamental principles of graphic design<\/a> are balance,<\/strong> hierarchy,<\/strong> contrast,<\/strong> proportion,<\/strong> and repetition.<\/strong> These are (some of) the guidelines a graphic designer follows to create aesthetically pleasing compositions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Let\u2019s explore these in more detail now. <\/p>\r\n
The 7 basic elements of graphic design<\/h3>\r\n
1. Shapes<\/h4>\r\n
Graphic designers use either geometric <\/strong> or organic shapes.<\/strong> Geometric shapes are created by connecting a set of points with either straight or curved lines\u2014think rectangles, circles, squares, and triangles. Organic shapes are \u2018irregular\u2019 shapes\u2014for example, seashells, flowers, clouds, and blobs. <\/p>\r\n
2. Lines<\/h4>\r\n
Lines can be straight, curved, or zigzag, and they can take on different weights, forms, and directions (e.g. horizontal or vertical). Lines have many different purposes in graphic design: to create emphasis, to convey motion, to create patterns, and to divide or connect different elements. <\/p>\r\n
3. Colour<\/h4>\r\n
Colour plays a crucial role in graphic design. It\u2019s used to create balance, harmony, contrast, and, perhaps most importantly, to convey an overall \u2018mood\u2019 for the design. This is because, according to colour psychology<\/a>, colour can impact the viewer\u2019s feelings, moods, and behaviours. <\/p>\r\n
4. Texture<\/h4>\r\n
Texture\u2014for example, smooth, furry, silky, or rough (like sandpaper)\u2014relates to how physical objects feel to touch. Graphic designers can convey texture visually, even if the actual surface (or digital image) doesn\u2019t have a physical texture. Texture is used to add depth to a design and make it more interesting visually. <\/p>\r\n
5. Type<\/h4>\r\n
This element refers to how you style the words\/text within a design. Graphic designers choose the typeface (a group of fonts<\/a>) they will use based on the kind of style they want to convey. Think of the Comic Sans typeface compared to Roboto; the former is playful and informal, whereas the latter evokes a much more serious tone. <\/p>\r\n
6. Space<\/h4>\r\n
Space finds multiple applications in graphic design. It helps to distinguish between different elements, to create emphasis and hierarchy\u2014for example, by drawing the eye to a particular element or area\u2014and to ensure that the overall design doesn\u2019t feel cluttered or overcrowded. <\/p>\r\n
7. Images<\/h4>\r\n
Aside from helping to reinforce the brand identity and\/or the overall message, images are another great way to catch the viewer\u2019s eye. Graphic designers might include photos they\u2019ve taken themselves, stock photos and images, or illustrations, depending on what fits best with their creative vision. <\/p>\r\n
![\"Designer](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/inside7-8.webp\" "\\"Designer")
\r\n5 key principles of graphic design<\/h3>\r\n
1. Balance<\/h4>\r\n
In graphic design, balance is about how you distribute the visual weight of the page. Heavier elements\u2014think textured elements, bigger elements, deeper colours and bold text\u2014are those that stand out more, while lighter elements are less eye-catching. You can balance the page symmetrically (with an even distribution of visual weight), asymmetrically, or radially (with the elements placed in a circular pattern to convey movement). <\/p>\r\n
2. Hierarchy<\/h4>\r\n
Hierarchy tells the viewer which elements are most important and draws their eye towards these elements. For example, if you\u2019re designing a book cover, the title of the book might be the most important element in the visual hierarchy\u2014and you could establish this hierarchy by featuring it in big, bold lettering, and placing it above any other text on the page. <\/p>\r\n
3. Contrast<\/h4>\r\n
Creating contrast helps to distinguish between different design elements. When using text, contrast is also crucial for ensuring legibility. Graphic designers create contrast through size (big vs. small elements), line weight (thick vs. thin), colour (light vs. dark), texture, and whitespace. <\/p>\r\n
4. Proportion<\/h4>\r\n
The proportion principle considers how different elements relate to each other. For example, does one element appear much larger and heavier than another? If graphic designers want to create realistic images, they\u2019ll focus on ensuring that the proportions of each element are realistic. For a more playful design, they might exaggerate some elements\u2014for example, drawing a person with disproportionately huge hands. <\/p>\r\n
5. Repetition<\/h4>\r\n
Simply put, repetition is the art of using the same design elements repeatedly. If you\u2019re creating an e-book, for example, you might feature the brand logo in the top right corner of every new page. Graphic designers also use repetition to create texture or patterns (think leopard print).<\/p>\r\n
5. What is the graphic design process?<\/h2>\r\n
As with any creative discipline, there is no universal process that all graphic designers follow. However, there are some high-level steps that generally guide a project from brief to completion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Here\u2019s how the graphic design process might look:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
1. Define the project brief:<\/strong> This sets out the scope of the project and clearly defines what should be designed, why, and for who. The brief should include any existing brand guidelines, details about the target audience, the final deliverable (e.g. a printed poster, a PDF brochure, a book cover, etc.), and any examples or inspiration. At this stage, there may be some back and forth between the graphic designer and the client\/internal stakeholders to define and clarify the project brief before moving forward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
2. Conduct research:<\/strong> Once a clearly defined brief is in place, the next step for a graphic designer is to start conducting research. They might do some competitor research to see what similar brands are doing, explore current trends, and gather visual inspiration to create a mood board. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. Brainstorm ideas and fine-tune the concept:<\/strong> This is where the graphic designer starts to visualise their interpretation of what the client (or internal stakeholder) wants. They might mock up a few bare-bones ideas to illustrate the overall concept and possible directions it could take, without going into too much visual detail. The next step is to pitch these ideas to the client (together with any moodboarding they\u2019ve done) and to get early-stage feedback before taking the design in a specific direction. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
4. Design:<\/strong> With everybody aligned and the concept approved, the graphic designer can start designing the final deliverable. How this part of the process looks depends on what is being designed. But, generally, it will involve defining colour palettes, sourcing or creating imagery, choosing or designing typography<\/a>, creating individual design elements (e.g. logos and icons), and applying all the key principles of graphic design\u2014balance, hierarchy, proportion, and so on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
5. Gather feedback: <\/strong> Like most design disciplines, feedback is a critical step in the graphic design process. Before taking the design to production, the graphic designer will gather feedback from the client or internal stakeholders and make any (hopefully minor!) changes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
6. Finalise and deliver:<\/strong> With all feedback implemented, this is the stage where the design is finalised and ready to go. The graphic designer will convert the deliverables to the relevant format (again, this varies depending on exactly what they\u2019re designing) and hand them over to the client. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
That\u2019s the graphic design process in a nutshell. You can see this in action in this course project completed by an AND learner<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Now let\u2019s take a closer look at the role of the graphic designer. <\/p>\r\n
![\"Design](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/inside8-8.webp\" "\\"Design")
\r\n6. What does a graphic designer do? <\/h2>\r\n
Graphic designers are experts in visual communication. They turn abstract concepts and ideas into aesthetically pleasing designs that connect with the target audience and convey a specific message. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Depending on what type of graphic designer they are, their role might be to develop a visual identity for a brand\u2014using colour, imagery, and type to visually capture what the brand stands for\u2014or to design advertising and marketing assets that resonate with consumers. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Here are some of the tasks and responsibilities a graphic designer may take on:<\/p>\r\n
- \r\nDevelop design concepts based on project briefs – as done in AND learner Dushyant Singh\u2019s project<\/a><\/li>\r\n
- Present ideas to clients and internal stakeholders<\/li>\r\n
- Design assets, including illustrations, static images, and videos, for social media campaigns<\/li>\r\n
- Design individual elements, including shapes, icons, and logos, from scratch<\/li>\r\n
- Source imagery and stock photography for various design projects (across both digital and print)<\/li>\r\n
- Choose colour palettes and typography <\/li>\r\n
- Create mood boards<\/li>\r\n
- Design posters and other artwork for events<\/li>\r\n
- Develop and maintain a style guide to uphold the brand identity<\/li>\r\n
- Oversee the graphic design workflow<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
In addition to plenty of hands-on creative work, graphic designers can expect to collaborate closely with clients and internal stakeholders (for example, marketers and copywriters) to refine concepts, hash out their ideas, and get feedback. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Let\u2019s move on to the top skills a graphic designer needs to excel in their role.<\/p>\r\n
7. What skills do graphic designers need?<\/h2>\r\n
Graphic designers possess industry-specific knowledge and expertise, including:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Deep knowledge and understanding of graphic design principles<\/a> (as outlined in section 4 of this blog post)<\/li>\r\n
- Knowledge of colour theory <\/a>and colour psychology<\/li>\r\n
- Expert knowledge of typography<\/li>\r\n
- A keen eye for detail and aesthetics and a general \u2018flair\u2019 for what looks good<\/li>\r\n
- An understanding of visual communication and branding<\/li>\r\n
- Proficiency in graphic design software and tools (we\u2019ve covered these in more detail in the following section.)<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
Graphic designers also rely on soft skills to collaborate effectively with clients and stakeholders and to communicate their ideas. Among the most important soft skills for graphic designers are:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Communication<\/li>\r\n
- The ability to give and receive feedback<\/li>\r\n
- Problem-solving<\/li>\r\n
- Creativity and an ability to think outside the box<\/li>\r\n
- Research<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
Learn more: What Skills Do Graphic Designers Need in 2024?<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\r\n
8. What tools and software do graphic designers use?<\/h2>\r\n
Depending on the exact nature of their role and the types of designs they\u2019re creating, graphic designers use a variety of tools, generally relying on a combination of physical tools and digital software<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The most important physical graphic design tools include:<\/p>\r\n
- \r\nPen and paper<\/li>\r\n
- A laptop and\/or desktop computer<\/li>\r\n
- A graphics tablet and stylus (the digital equivalent of pen and paper)<\/li>\r\n
- A professional camera (if and when the role involves photography)<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
Some of the most popular digital tools and software used by graphic designers include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Adobe Illustrator<\/a> \u2014vector-based illustration software<\/li>\r\n
- Adobe InDesign<\/a> \u2014a graphic design app for layout and page design<\/li>\r\n
- Adobe Photoshop<\/a> \u2014used for creating and editing images<\/li>\r\n
- Sketch<\/a>\u2014a vector design and editing tool<\/li>\r\n
- Canva<\/a>\u2014a free drag-and-drop graphic design tool for beginners<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
For more graphic design tools (including prices, the pros and cons of each, and how to choose the right graphic design tools for your stack), turn to this guide: A Complete List of the Best Graphic Design Software, Tools and Apps<\/a>.<\/p> \r\n
![\"Printed](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/inside9-6.webp\" "\\"Printed")
\r\n9. What are some common graphic design job titles and career paths?<\/h2>\r\n
The most obvious role for someone working in graphic design is that of graphic designer\u2014but that\u2019s not the only career path within the field. Given how vast and varied the field is, those with the right set of skills can move in different directions. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Some common graphic design job titles (besides graphic designer) include:<\/p>\r\n
\r\nBrand designer\u2014<\/strong>an expert in visual branding; responsible for defining and conveying the brand\u2019s visual identity through colour, typography<\/a>, logos, and more.<\/p><\/li>\r\n
Web designer\u2014 <\/strong>a graphic designer for websites and apps, responsible for all the visual elements of landing pages and screens. This role may overlap with user interface (UI) design.<\/p><\/li>\r\n
Motion graphics designer (or animator)\u2014 <\/strong>a graphic designer who specialises in creating animated graphics for games, films, websites, and marketing campaigns (to name a few).<\/p><\/li>\r\n
Book designer\u2014 <\/strong>an expert in designing books, including both the front and back cover design as well as the design of individual pages. <\/p><\/li>\r\n
Layout artist\u2014 <\/strong>focuses on the overall layout and composition of the page.<\/p><\/li>\r\n
Art director\u2014 <\/strong>responsible for the overall visual design or direction of a project; someone who oversees the artists and designers who execute the vision.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
You can learn more about these roles (and additional graphic design career paths) in this post: A Complete Guide to Graphic Design Jobs & Career Paths<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\r\n
10. How much do graphic designers earn?<\/h2>\r\n
A graphic designer\u2019s salary is determined by several factors such as experience level, location, sector, and qualifications. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
To give you an idea of how much graphic designers earn, here\u2019s the average salary data for junior, mid, and senior graphic designers in a range of locations:<\/p>\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n <\/th>\r\n \r\n Junior graphic designer
salary<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\n Graphic designer
salary (mid-level)\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\n Senior graphic
designer salary<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n \r\n Australia<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n $55,204\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n $74,947\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n $99,277\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n \r\n Brazil\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n R$70,393<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n R$96,972\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n R$120,305\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n \r\n Canada\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n $41,377\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n $62,514<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n $65,296\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n \r\n China\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u00a5142,667\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u00a5195,965\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u00a5243,824\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n \r\n France\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u20ac32,846\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u20ac45,629\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u20ac56,135\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n \r\n Germany\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u20ac37,698\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u20ac52,339\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u20ac64,427\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n \r\n South Africa\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n R297,840\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n R409,987\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n R509,020\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n \r\n United Kingdom\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u00a322,660\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u00a327,476\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n \u00a338,204\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\r\n \r\n United States\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n $46,342\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n $53,358\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n $66,859\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n \r\n\r\n
Source: Indeed, SalaryExpert<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For more salary data (and some expert tips for handling your next salary negotiation) check out our full salary guide: A Complete Breakdown of Graphic Design Salaries in 2023<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Adobe InDesign<\/a> \u2014a graphic design app for layout and page design<\/li>\r\n
- Adobe Illustrator<\/a> \u2014vector-based illustration software<\/li>\r\n
- Knowledge of colour theory <\/a>and colour psychology<\/li>\r\n
- \r\nDevelop design concepts based on project briefs – as done in AND learner Dushyant Singh\u2019s project<\/a><\/li>\r\n
- Designing logos<\/a>, icons, and images for websites, apps, and other digital content<\/li>\r\n
- Designing typography to be used throughout the company website and across any branded materials<\/li><\/ul>\r\n
- Evoke certain emotions in the target audience<\/strong><\/li>\r\n
- 2. Where does graphic design come from? A brief history <\/a><\/li>\r\n \t