Graphic design has been around for many years and evolved into many different specifications within the same field over time. The marketing team at GCS Malta has outlined seven types of graphic design in this article.

Visual Identity Design

Visual identity includes the visual elements of branding, making a brand recognisable through images, shapes and colours.

When designing a visual identity, designers work with companies to create certain assets such as a logo, colour scheme, and imagery representing the brand’s identity. Once the visuals have been designed, brand guidelines are often created to illustrate how one should use the new visual identity and uphold consistency. Furthermore, basic merchandise such as business cards and stationery sets are usually made.

Advertising Design

Brands are dependent on advertising design to successfully market their services or products to their intended market audience. Visual content is more engaging and can catch the attention of people easier.

Designers in this field often work with marketing professionals to create content for marketing strategies. Although when we think of advertisements, we often think of print media, such as magazine and newspaper ads or billboards, we must not forget that we are in a digital age where social media has become an essential asset in advertising. Therefore, in addition to the traditional printed adverts, a designer can also be working on content for social media, such as social media posts and digital ads.

User Interface Design

User Interface design, or UI, involves designing software, such as applications, to make them user-friendly. From a graphic design standpoint, UI design is focused on the visual aspect of a person’s experience with software which includes elements such as buttons, menus etc.

UI designers work hand-in-hand with UX designers (design how a software functions) and UI developers (write the code to make the software function). For this reason, UI designers need to have excellent graphic design skills and be knowledgeable in programming, being able to use languages such as HTML and CSS.

Publication Design

Publications are long documents that are distributed to the public, traditionally in printed format but more recently in digital format due to an increase in digital publishing.

This type of design is very traditional, having a history in newspapers, magazines and catalogues, which have been around longer than any digital format. The main elements used in publication design are layouts, typography, and photography or illustrations.

 Packaging Design

Packaging is not just about making a product look attractive to potential customers; it is also about communicating a message or story about the brand.

Packaging designers are somewhat multidisciplinary – they might be required to take photographs or make illustrations to create certain assets for a particular product’s packaging. In addition to conceptualising and designing packaging, designers in this sector also develop mockups to visually present their design before sending it to production.

 Motion Graphics Design

Motion graphics are graphics such as illustrations, shapes, text and images, which are put in motion using animation and filming techniques. It resulted from the digital age, rising in popularity as technology improved and social media was invented and became more widespread.

A motion graphics designer should be well informed on creating videos, such as storyboarding, concept artistry, illustration drawing, film and photography, animation techniques, video editing, and sometimes even coding and 3D modelling.

Environmental Design

Environmental design is quite extensive, ranging from street signage to entire building spaces.

In this line of work, besides graphic design, designers specialise in architectural design, with interior, landscape and industrial design being good tools to have under one’s belt. One must be able to create impressive design concepts as well as be able to read and sketch architectural plans.

Why GCS Malta?

At GCS Malta, our highly experienced marketing team can help you achieve your business goals by aiding you with various services—from design and branding to audiovisuals; we’ve got you covered. Contact us today for more information.

Article by Francesca Falzon