Graphic design is one of the emerging professions which requires not only creativity but also technical expertise. Graphic design is the academic and professional field whose activity is focused on developing visual; communicative presentations intended to successfully transmit a particular message to specific social groups, typically with defined objectives. It covers various areas such as typography, photography, film, print, and visual communication. A degree in graphic design would equip students with the basic knowledge of creating and manipulating images and supporting materials. The key areas of study are design theory, creative practice, research methodology, and graphic design applications. Aspiring students can obtain a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.
Most graphic designers are self-employed professionals with established firms that hire them for long-term engagement. Many graphic designers begin their careers as interns and assistants in different companies. During the years they are working as interns, they acquire more practical experience in real-world work, preparing them for the challenging tasks of full-time employment—these job opportunities further enhance their knowledge and skill to create successful and attractive client designs. To improve their skills, graphic designers attend training sessions with established firms or freelance institutions.
Another field that is gaining popularity among young graphic designers is environmental graphic design. This design portrays environmental issues, such as pollution, endangered species, and global warming. An environmental graphic design career is ideal for those passionate about environmental issues. This is also one of the most lucrative fields in graphic design because companies often look for young, dynamic people to create visual representations and advertisements for their clients. In addition, these types of graphic design jobs are also very popular in the advertising industry, specifically in the television and magazine industries.
There are also many specialised subcategories in the field of visual communication. One is visual branding, which refers to developing brand identity and visual promotion for certain products or services. Visual branding in Graphic Design can communicate specific messages about products, services, and events. It can also be used in advertising graphic design to create compelling images influencing consumers’ buying decisions.
Another area in which graphic design can help businesses is in the realm of packaging design. Packaging design can be defined as the creative thinking and implementation of artistic principles to maximise visual impact while effectively promoting a product or service. A typical example is using special shapes and colours to make a product stand out. Some of the main concerns of graphic design regarding packaging designs include the overall theme of the product or service, its visual and textual information, and its broad appeal. Packaging design requires creative thinking that goes beyond basic colour matching.
Graphic Design has many subcategories that span all disciplines that specialise in it. These include creative thinking through strategy, graphic design, and packaging design. Although many of these subcategories overlap, each has its distinct purpose and style. As you can see, graphic design uniquely promotes and sells products and services.