Graphic design is a diverse, creative field that uses visuals to communicate ideas and solve problems. Since it tackles a wide variety of challenges, graphic design can be loosely divided into eight different, but often overlapping fields. At Berkeley College, you'll be exposed to each of these fields as you build the skills to become a successful and impactful designer.
1. Web Design
In our modern world, web design is quickly becoming one of the most valuable skills for creative professionals. This field of graphic design blends technology and the traditional principles of composition and form to create digital media. At Berkeley College, you'll have access to the latest technology used by experts as you learn the practical skills of this important field.
2. UI and Interactive Design
Like web design, UI (user interface) and interactive design have become increasingly valuable skills. This field focuses on bridging the gap between complex computing and the user experience through visually pleasing forms and layouts.
3. Advertising and Marketing Design
Most every organization in the world relies on visual advertising and marketing, whether it's used to form an internal brand identity or attract customers. At Berkeley College, you'll learn to develop successful ad designs while gaining the creative problem-solving skills that will benefit you throughout your career.
4. Motion Graphics and Animation
By studying motion graphics, you'll focus on animating visual media. This includes everything from typography to imagery, and everything in between. As a relatively new field in graphic design, motion graphics and animation present exciting opportunities to balance technical and creative skills.
5. Packaging Design
Product packaging is everywhere, from the food we eat to the devices we buy. A career in packaging design lets you employ the creativity and branding strategies of ad design, along with the technical aspects of manufacturing, 3D mockups, and printing.
6. Game Design
Like UI and motion graphics, game design works at the forefront of technology and creativity. Studying game design at Berkeley College gives you the opportunity to work one-on-one with experts as you navigate complex tech and exciting creative endeavors.
7. Illustration
Drawing is the foundation of most artistic practices, especially illustration. As a graphic illustrator, you'll have the chance to create visual identities, cover art and more, all while using the fundamental principles of form, color, and composition.
8. Publication and Typographic Design
In this field, designers focus on the development, organization, and management of visual media that is often mass-produced. This includes books, magazines and more. By developing skills in printing, editorial layout design coordination and typesetting communication, publication and typographic designers create cohesive visual media.
Study Graphic Design at Berkeley College
If you're considering a career in graphic design, Berkeley College’s Graphic Design degree program is ready to help you develop the creative and technical skills you need to succeed. Find out more by calling Berkeley College at 800-446-5400.
FAQs
The 8 Types of Graphic Design? ›
Graphic Design focuses on communicating with the user through designs. Graphic designers use typeface, hierarchy, color, and images to create designs.
What are the 10 types of graphic design? ›- Brand Design.
- Product and Packaging Design.
- Marketing Design.
- Print and Publication Design.
- Web Design.
- UI Design.
- Typeface Design.
- Environmental Design.
Graphic Design focuses on communicating with the user through designs. Graphic designers use typeface, hierarchy, color, and images to create designs.
How do I pass a graphic design interview? ›- Review graphic design industry terms before your interview. ...
- Practice answering common interview questions beforehand. ...
- Review your portfolio and focus on major projects. ...
- Research the company and prepare questions for the interviewers. ...
- Bring several printed copies of your resume.
Before we dive into the 8 types of graphic design, let's start with the basics: What is graphic design? Graphic design is the creation of visual compositions to solve problems and communicate ideas through typography, imagery, color and form.
What are 9 types of graphic design? ›- Advertising design.
- Environmental design.
- Publication design.
- Motion design.
- Corporate design.
- UI design.
- Web design.
- Packaging design.
There are twelve basic principles of design: contrast, balance, emphasis, proportion, hierarchy, repetition, rhythm, pattern, white space, movement, variety, and unity. These visual and graphic design principles work together to create appealing and functional designs that make sense to users.
What makes you a good designer? ›A designer must be able to adapt to any situation in order to keep the project moving forward in a positive direction. This trait is a combination of good listening, ability to take criticism, artistic talent, problem-solving skills, and patience. These 6 traits are what makes a designer stand out amongst the crowd.
What makes you a good graphic designer answer? ›Great graphic designers are team players who ask questions and solicit feedback. A good candidate will feel comfortable collaborating with clients on a project. They should be able to recommend specific file types for review, source files, and deliverables to make the final hand off as smooth as possible.
Why do I study graphic design? ›Graphic design allows you to make you own mark, whilst working with your clients' needs. With freedom and creativity comes variety and this makes things fun and sharpens your skills in a variety of visual styles.
Is it hard to break into graphic design? ›
Is Graphic Design Hard to Learn? Learning graphic design is not hard, but it does require creative thinking, an aptitude towards art and design, and time and dedication. Graphic design requires learning the necessary tools, as well as understanding and applying the principles and theories of design.
How do I break into graphic design without a degree? ›- Learn Design Theory and the Fundamentals. ...
- Read Graphic Design Books. ...
- Refine and Develop your Graphic Design Skills. ...
- Master Graphic Design Tools. ...
- Take an Online Graphic Design Course. ...
- Take an In Person Graphic Design Course. ...
- Create Your Own Graphic Design Portfolio.
- Step I: Define End Goals.
- Step II: Establish and Understand the Scope.
- Step III: Design the System as per the Required Scale.
- Step IV: Start Big, Then Drill Deeper.
- Step V: Algorithm, Data Structure, and Coding.
Examples of graphics include maps, photographs, designs and patterns, family trees, diagrams, architectural or engineering blueprints, bar charts and pie charts, typography, schematics, line art, flowcharts, and many other image forms.
What are 7 graphic elements? ›What Are the Basic Elements of Graphic Design? Line, shape, form, texture, space, imagery, typography and color.
What are the 7 rule of graphic design? ›The fundamental principles of design are: Emphasis, Balance and Alignment, Contrast, Repetition, Proportion, Movement and White Space.
What are the 4 rules of graphic design? ›The four graphic design principles are contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity (C.R.A.P.).
What are the 5 basic graphic design elements? ›That's why understanding graphic design principles is essential. In this article, we've looked at five principles: visual hierarchy and contrast, balance and space, repetition, color, and variety.
What are the 8 principles of design? ›The 8 principles of design are fundamental to creating visually appealing and effective designs. These principles are balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, proportion, repetition, and unity.
What are the 13 design principles? ›The elements, or principles, of visual design include Contrast, Balance, Emphasis, Movement, White Space, Proportion, Hierarchy, Repetition, Rhythm, Pattern, Unity, and Variety.
What are the 9 basic principles of graphics and layout? ›
The main principles of graphic design are balance, contrast, emphasis, repetition and pattern, proportion, movement, white space, unity, and variety.
What drives a graphic designer? ›Creative graphic designers are motivated by the task at hand rather than by material rewards. They find motivation in the challenge that a task presents rather than allowing the material benefits to dictate what they do.
How to be a successful graphic designer? ›- Earn an education in design. ...
- Take online design courses. ...
- Specialize your work. ...
- Determine your signature style. ...
- Find a mentor. ...
- Seek feedback from other designers. ...
- Join online design groups. ...
- Collaborate with skilled designers.
- Ability to be creative. Graphic designers get to use their creative skills on an almost daily basis. ...
- Different types of job opportunities. Many different industries have a need for graphic designers. ...
- Stable work hours. ...
- Potential to work remotely. ...
- Sense of accomplishment. ...
- Income and benefits.
An effective graphic designer must be creative and they must be able to apply their creativity into their designs at all times. They don't just follow the latest trends; they find motivation everywhere and even within themselves.
What are your top skills as a graphic designer? ›Graphic design skills usually include the use of software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign but many can also draw and design by hand and use these skills to create rough sketches and mock ups. Typical responsibilities include: liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.
What are 3 main purposes of graphic design? ›The three main purposes of design is function, communication, and aesthetics.
Why do people enjoy graphic design? ›Think of Graphic Design, like a form of problem-solving. Being able to think about a problem and solve it in a creative way is satisfying! Graphic Design gives me the opportunity to take a set of someone's problems, and turn them into something both useful and beautiful.
How stressful is graphic design? ›“Graphic design is no more stressful than any other field,” says graphic designer Ryan Mungia. “A lot of the stress depends on what kind of job you have and who you are doing it for.” That said, there are a few common sources of stress for graphic designers: Keeping up with deadlines.
What is the most challenging in graphic design? ›Finding the right clients. According to Build's Michael C. Place, "The biggest challenge designers face is the problem of finding good clients who actually value good design for itself – clients who don't perceive design as just another expense, but a worthwhile investment."
Can you self teach graphic design? ›
There are certainly exceptional self-taught graphic designers who have launched careers without a formal education. While it's true that it can be done, that doesn't mean it's the best route for you.
Is a graphic design degree worth it or worthless? ›The data revealed that 88 percent of employers prefer candidates to have a graphic design associate's degree or higher. So whether you earn an associate or bachelor's degree in design, having this formal education under your belt qualifies you to apply for nearly 10 times as many jobs as an individual with no degree.
Can you call yourself a graphic designer without a degree? ›Do You Need a Degree to Be a Graphic Designer? While some graphic designers certainly use a college degree to enter the creative field, it's not a requirement. Many companies hire entry level designers based solely on their portfolio and experience, rather than if they have a degree.
What majors are close to graphic design? ›What majors go well with graphic design? A graphic design major is a great way to build the skills to enter the design field. Other relevant majors for graphic design include web development, industrial design, and digital arts.
How to learn low level design? ›- Clarify the problem by asking the relevant questions. ...
- Define the Core Classes ( and Objects )
- Establish the relationships between the classes / objects by observing the interactions among the classes / objects.
- Try to fulfill all the requirements by defining the methods.
- You were in the interview for longer than expected. ...
- The interview felt conversational. ...
- You are told what you would be doing in this role. ...
- The interviewer seemed engaged. ...
- You feel sold on the company and the role. ...
- Your questions are answered in full.
LLD gives an insight into how to design software. During an interview, Several technical questions related to LLD will be asked. This round is also sometimes called machine coding or pair programming round. So it is better to understand the concepts of LLD and not get confused with high-level design questions.
How to do graphic design for beginners? ›- Limit your typefaces. Remix this design. ...
- Don't be scared of scale. ...
- Respect the space of other elements. ...
- Use a small color scheme. ...
- Create Clean, crisp and clear imagery. ...
- Use fonts to help inform the mood of your design. ...
- Create order with alignment. ...
- Keep your designs simple.
Saul Bass is thought to be the most famous graphic designer. If you don't recognize his name, you will certainly recognize his work. Saul Bass designed several iconic logos, such as the logos of Quaker Oats, Kleenex, Minolta, and AT&T, as well as the movie posters for many beloved films like Psycho and West Side Story.
Who needs a graphic designer? ›Graphic design is important to market and sell products, and it is a critical component of brochures and logos. Therefore, graphic designers often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing. Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client.
What are three principles of design? ›
There are a lot of components that go into a design. To best communicate visually, the three main principles of design to consider are typography, hierarchy and color.
What are design principles? ›Design principles are a set of values that act as a compass for your product. They're an agreed upon truth: the guideposts that keep your entire team on the same path as you move through the design process. Design principles should be specific, nuanced, and actionable.
What are 3 primary colors in graphic designing? ›Primary colors - yellow, red, and blue. These are basic colors that cannot be broken down into any simpler colors. Secondary colors - these are created by mixing two primary colors. The secondary colors are orange, green, and purple.
What are the 7 elements and 8 principles of design? ›What Are the Seven Principles of Art and Design? The seven principles of art and design are balance, rhythm, pattern, emphasis, contrast, unity, and movement. The elements of art and design are line, shape/form, space, value, color, and texture. The elements of art and design are the tools of visual artists.
What are the 6 stages of design? ›The design-thinking framework follows an overall flow of 1) understand, 2) explore, and 3) materialize. Within these larger buckets fall the 6 phases: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test, and implement.
What are the 8 most common types of graphic design? ›- Web Design. ...
- UI and Interactive Design. ...
- Advertising and Marketing Design. ...
- Motion Graphics and Animation. ...
- Packaging Design. ...
- Game Design. ...
- Illustration. ...
- Publication and Typographic Design.
Enhance the way your work impacts others by using the 5 C's: Content, Consistency, Color, Connection, and Clean.
What are the 7 elements of graphic design? ›The elements of design are the fundamental aspects of any visual design which include shape, color, space, form, line, value, and texture. Graphic designers use the elements of design to create an image that can convey a certain mood, draw the eye in a certain direction, or evoke a number of feelings.
What is the 8 elements of design? ›The 8 elements of Graphic Designing are Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Space, Size, Value and Typography.
What are the eight 8 common principles of design? ›- Alignment. Making sure the elements of any design are aligned is essential. ...
- Hierarchy. Hierarchy means putting your design's most important message or purpose front and center. ...
- Contrast. ...
- Repetition. ...
- Proximity. ...
- Balance. ...
- Color. ...
- Space.
Which list has the 8 principles of design? ›
The elements, or principles, of visual design include Contrast, Balance, Emphasis, Movement, White Space, Proportion, Hierarchy, Repetition, Rhythm, Pattern, Unity, and Variety.
What is the golden rule of graphic design? ›One of the best things about the Golden Ratio is that it gives you a simple number to help structure the otherwise expressive nature of design. Simply multiply an element's size by 1.618 to figure out the size of another element, or overlay the Golden Spiral to adjust their placement.
What are the 6 principles of graphics? ›Start with the six principles of design: balance, pattern, rhythm, emphasis, contrast, and unity.
What are the 4 golden rules of design? ›The UI design principals are: Place users in control of the interface Make it comfortable to interact with a product Reduce cognitive load Make user interfaces consistent 1. Place users in control of the interface Good UIs instill a sense of control in their users.
What are the 3 principles graphic? ›To best communicate visually, the three main principles of design to consider are typography, hierarchy and color.
What are the 6 laws of design? ›Answer: the 6 fundamental principles of design which are: balance, proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast and space.