What is
graphic arts & design
Learn how to explain graphic arts & design to clients to help them understand the technicalities.
Graphic Arts
& Design
But first! Let's tell them apart—because yes, there's a difference between graphic art and graphic design.
Graphic Art
It is akin to a digital manifestation of fine art crafted by artists using computers, tablets, or specialized software such as Adobe applications. This medium emphasizes personal expression, highlighting creations like digital paintings and drawings.
Graphic Design
It takes on a more practical stance, melding a pragmatic approach with artistic creativity. It involves organizing and presenting ideas and experiences through digital visuals and text. Think: infographics and posters.
Graphic arts and design represent a comprehensive field that encompasses the creation and arrangement of digital visual elements for various purposes. Both disciplines contribute to the visual communication landscape, spanning diverse mediums and industries. They could even specialize in industries like healthcare, technology, or entertainment; given their skills in designing information in a way that it becomes easier to digest for everyone.
And speaking of... below are a few fields that graphic artists and graphic designers can delve into given their diverse expertise. Because first of all, it's a dynamic and adaptable profession.
1. Advertising
Advertising designers are those who help a brand grow whether it be through print media or digital media (e.g. social media pubmats, magazine adverts, etc.) According to the Indeed Editorial Team (2023), a creative in the advertising field is someone who "develops advertising campaigns to entice a targeted audience to buy a particular product or service."
Read up more on it here.
2. UI/UX Design
Creative professionals in the User-Interface/User-Experience (UI/UX) industry are in charge of designing the way people interact with digital products such as mobile applications and websites. Though Figma differentiates the two stating that: "...user interface (UI) refers to the interactivity, look, and feel of a product screen or web page, while user experience (UX) covers a user’s overall experience with the product or website."
Read up more on it here.
3. Packaging Design
Learn.org defines a package designer as a professional who "...uses skills in graphic design to help make a product appealing to potential buyers through its packaging. Their duties might include selecting typefaces, colors, and illustrations for the packaging."
Read up more on it here.
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4. Publication
Publications designers are those who man the visual direction of magazines, books, various promotional materials, and more. Per the words of the Zippia Team (2023), "A publications designer is a professional who creates visual content for various mediums. They use design software like Autocad, Photoshop, and InDesign to create custom area rugs, edit images, and manage press releases."
Read up more on it here.
The Takeaway
(Here's why artists should charge extra for those unplanned revisions)
Graphic arts and design is a complex undertaking, demanding a diverse skill set and significant investments. Designers need proficiency in various tools and software, often requiring ongoing education for their expertise to stay relevant. The meticulous process involves extensive brainstorming, sketching, and refinement to meet client expectations and ideals.
Quality work also demands financial investments in tools, software, and sometimes formal education. Behind the scenes, strategic planning, resource utilization, and attention to detail are paramount, emphasizing that creating impactful visual content is far from an easy task.
Graphic artists and designers should take pride in their work as they play a crucial role in shaping visual communication and aesthetics across various industries. Their creative contributions influence brand identities, enhance user experiences, and communicate complex messages. Standing up for themselves ensures they are valued, fairly compensated, and recognized for the expertise, creativity, and effort they bring to each project.
By advocating for their worth, graphic artists and designers contribute to elevating the overall appreciation and professionalism within the creative industry.
So... Charge. Your. Clients. For. Those. Revisions.
![What is Graphic Design? Ep1/45 [Beginners Guide to Graphic Design]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dFSia1LZI4Y/maxresdefault.jpg)
