ALT-3 What is Graphic Design

From 3arf

A graphic designer is a visual communicator. They convey a concept or idea through the use of visual elements, be that image or type. Graphic designers are able to change the way we think about a product or business and often can encourage the viewer to see an ordinary and predictable object from a new perspective. They are responsible for every kind of visual information that the public views on a day to day basis, designing everything from road signs to magazine layouts to corporate logos and branding.

Graphic design is a broad name given to a range of special skill sets. Here are a few examples:

Typography:The study of letter-forms and type. Typographers specialise in communication through type, designing typefaces and arranging type in a way that can effectively convey a message to the reader. Experimenting with point size, weight and paying particular attention to the spacing of letters. The white space surrounding the letter-forms is often considered as important as the actual letter.

Page Layout: This refers to the arrangement and organization of elements on a page. Utilized in magazines, brochures, and design for print materials. The graphic designer will position both copy and image on the page in a way that guides the reader's eye, directing and shifting their focus around the page. Attention is payed to the hierarchy of information and placing more emphasis on important information such as headlines.

Screen based Graphics: These graphic designers specialise in design for the screen such as interactive games, website design, and animation. Creating moving images to be viewed on T.V. and computers. These are often known as multimedia designers as they apply skills such as page layout to screen often encouraging user interaction allowing the viewer to participate.

Graphic designers are not limited to one particular discipline and often are capable of designing for various projects and circumstances. The most important aspects of graphic design are the ideas, a designer is expected to be constantly innovative and bring fresh ideas to every project avioding the predictable and obvious. Another key factor is presentation, every graphic designer knows that the finishing touches are vital to convey an idea in the best way. This can showcase the artistic flare or particular style of a certain designer.

The graphic design profession is an important role in society and is often under appreciated. A knowledge of Adobe software such as Indesign and Illustrator is essential. A part of everything we see, use and feel has likely to have been designed by a graphic designer. A graphic designer can work within a large advertising firm, to smaller "in-house" design teams and also freelance. It is a career that allows creativity and doesn't restrict the individual to a certain profession but allows them to design for a range of mediums, making the career interesting and diverse.

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