Design
What are the types of graphic design?
Quick answer
Graphic design covers several specialisations. The main types are brand and visual identity design (logos, brand systems), marketing and advertising design, user interface (UI) design, packaging design, publication and editorial design, environmental and signage design, and motion graphics. Most designers focus on one or two of these rather than all, since each needs different skills and tools.
Brand and visual identity design creates the logo, colours, typography, and guidelines that make a brand recognisable. Marketing and advertising design produces the ads, social posts, brochures, and banners that promote it. UI design shapes the look of app and website screens. Packaging design covers the physical boxes, labels, and wrappers a product ships in.
Publication and editorial design lays out books, magazines, and reports. Environmental and signage design guides people through physical spaces with wayfinding and displays. Motion graphics bring design to life as animation and video, and illustration adds custom artwork. Many projects combine several of these — a product launch might need identity, packaging, advertising, and web design together — which is why agencies bundle them under one design team.
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