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Graphic Design

what is graphic design?

Graphic design is “the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content,” according to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA®). In simple terms, graphic designers make visuals to communicate certain messages. These visuals can be as simple as a business logo, or as complex as page layouts on a website. “Graphic design helps the producer connect with the consumer,” says graphic designer, Alexandros Clufetos. “It conveys the message of the project, event, campaign or product.” Companies use the visual concepts of graphic design to promote and sell products through advertising, to convey complicated information in an easy-to-understand format (think of infographics), to develop a brand identity, and so much more. While most companies are hiring graphic designers for commercial purposes, many designers also use their work for artistic expression.

What are the elements of graphic design?

A graphic designer creates work utilizing certain visual elements. Graphic designers can use these elements in conjunction or opposition with each other to create striking and impactful visuals.

These graphic design elements include:

  • – Color
  • – Form
  • – Line
  • – Shape
  • – Size
  • – Space
  • – Texture

Graphic designers also adhere to the principles of design, which are essentially a set of guidelines that help a design achieve appealing composition.

These visual concepts include:

  • – BalanceContrast
  • – Emphasis
  • – Movement
  • – Proportion
  • – Rhythm


A good graphic designer must first understand these principles, then use them (or discard them) with intention in each project.

What does a graphic designer do?

Graphic design offers opportunities and options for individuals of almost any interest. If you pursue a career in graphic design, you could work on multiple types of projects — or specialize in just one area you love. Here’s a glimpse of the kind of tasks a graphic designer might work on.

Website design

Make a website or application easy and satisfying to use. These designers emphasize value, usability, adoptability and desirability. This type of work can be both highly-technical (programming each pathway through a site) and creative (considering every part of how users interact with your platform).

User experience (UX) design

UI designers work toward the same overall goal as UX designers—making something easy for users to interact with. The interface aspect involves the visual design and layout of an application. For that reason, UI design can be a great career option for graphic designers.

User interface (UI) design

Motion graphic designers and animators bring visual elements to life through special effects, video, TV shows, video games, movies and more.

Video and animated elements are becoming more and more common in advertising, and motion graphics designers have a specialized skill set for those mediums.

Print media design

Make a website or application easy and satisfying to use. These designers emphasize value, usability, adoptability and desirability. This type of work can be both highly-technical (programming each pathway through a site) and creative (considering every part of how users interact with your platform).

Marketing materials of all kinds

UI designers work toward the same overall goal as UX designers—making something easy for users to interact with. The interface aspect involves the visual design and layout of an application. For that reason, UI design can be a great career option for graphic designers.

What tools do graphic designers use?

A graphic designer relies on many different tools. One of the most basic (and least expensive) tools designers use is a sketchbook. If you love studio art, you can certainly integrate those skills into your work as a graphic designer.

That said, most graphic design skills involve computer software.

A graphic designer needs to be able to use design software like Adobe Photoshop®, Adobe Illustrator® and Adobe InDesign®. Since the best graphic design software is computer-based, they also need to be comfortable using a computer (as opposed to a phone or tablet) to design.

But design elements are only part of the picture. A professional graphic designer does more than simply make designs. They have to manage their time, communicate with managers and clients, adjust to feedback and group collaboration and keep track of different projects.

Freelance graphic designers need to attract clients, budget, invoice and file taxes as well as building a professional portfolio that showcases the type of work they love.

As you can see, you need more than a good eye for color to work as a graphic designer. Technical skills, design principles and learning to use new kinds of software are all critical abilities for a graphic designer.

But you don’t need to figure all of that out by yourself. Learning these skills are an essential part of a good graphic design program.

January 12, 2025
April 2026
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