Types and Styles of Graphic Design
Graphic design is a skill and practice that uses visual elements to communicate ideas or convey messages. Gaining some insight into what graphic designers do will help make working with these strange creatures less nerve-wracking. As a graphic designer that got her career started when Adobe first came out with products like Photoshop and Illustrator in the 90s and now being in Silicon Valley during COVID-19 while the tech industry is restructuring its work culture, it can be overwhelming. There is also a certain aspect of social responsibility that creators should adhere to.
Graphic designers use their talent as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More an art from to problem solving through the use of images, typographyTypography is the art and technique of arranging letters to make written language legible, readable … More, and styles. The main types of graphic design are visual identity, marketing and advertising, publication, packaging, userA person that uses a product. More interface, 3D and motion graphics, environmental design, and illustration.
Brand, Branding and Visual Identity
Your visual brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More is one of the most important aspects of your identity. It’s how people perceive you. People identify brands by the styles, colors, advertising copy, and logo associated with different business entities. Your brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More is how people perceive you. Branding is the process and actions you take to create a specific image of your company. Visual brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More identity is all of the elements combined to create your image.
The traditional marketing mix includes a mixed plan of controllable elements of a product’s marketing plan known as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More the 4 Ps: product, place, price and promotion. The service marketing mix, also known as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More the extendedA font in which the set widths of the characters are wider than in the standard typeface. More marketing mix, includes people, process and physical evidence (physical environment). All of these elements work together to create and support your message and brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More identity.
Below are some deliverables that fall into this category:
- Logo – graphic symbol that represents your brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More and is easily recognizable by your users and customers.
- Corporate Identity Package (Business Stationary)
- Logo
- Business Cards
- Letterhead
- Envelopes
- TypographyTypography is the art and technique of arranging letters to make written language legible, readable … More – the art and technique of crafting and arranging type and text to be legible, readable, and appealing.
- Color Palette• A palette is the color scheme of a specific design or brand – making up part of a brand’s styl… More – the choice of color combinations used in design to represent a brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More.
- Style Guide – a manual or set of standards that define your company’s brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More that references logo usage, images, grammar, toneTone is a color or hue variation created by adding gray or tint and shade variations to create a mor… More, colors, perspective, etc.
Marketing and Advertising
Businesses depend on graphic design to visually communicate their messages and/or product and service offerings. Good graphic design sets the toneTone is a color or hue variation created by adding gray or tint and shade variations to create a mor… More and foundation a company’s visual brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More and storytelling. The difference between graphic design and advertising design is advertising design is a hybrid of design and marketing. Advertising design is the art of problem solving, engaging, and persuading users to take action while maintaining your company’s brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More image.
In the table below are some examples of marketing design projects and deliverables you will come across regularly as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More a marketing designer.
| Brochures | Magazine Ads | Billboards | Infographics |
| Tradeshow Graphics | POP Displays | Posters | Flyers |
| Banners | Product Literature | Postcards | Book Covers |
| Signage | Vehicle Wraps | Presentations | Books |
| Pamphlets | Branded Swag | Infographics | CD/DVD Cover |
Print Publication
Publication design is the art of laying out multipage documents in a printed mediumThe category of a web traffic source, for example, organic search (Organic), cost-per-click paid sea… More. Printing and publishing ranges from journals, newsletters and magazines to books, product catalogs and annual reports. Publication graphic design requires technical knowledge of design software, intelligent design, typographyTypography is the art and technique of arranging letters to make written language legible, readable … More, printing and binding. E-books and other forms electronic publishing and self-publishing have become more popular – slowly replacing printed publications because of the ease of use, wide distribution, and cost effectiveness.
Packaging Design
The design of your product packaging is just as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More important as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More the product itself. In my experience, many companies spend more on developing the product packaging than the actual product. The goal of packaging design is to attract a buyer’s attention and ultimately make a sale while sitting on the shelf with thousands of other products. To meet marketing objectives, packaging design’s job is to portray the product’s personality and communicate to a consumer the benefits and value of the contents inside and make a purchase.
Packaging design is not just the graphics, it’s the exterior of a product and includes form, structure, materials, imagery, typographyTypography is the art and technique of arranging letters to make written language legible, readable … More, and regulatory information wrapped on a physical container.
Web Design
Web design is the process of planning conceptualizing, and arranging content for consumption on the internet. The difference between web design and web development is web design focuses on userA person that uses a product. More experience rather than backendThe server, application and database that work behind the scenes to deliver information to the use… More software development. Web design involves more technical skill than UI(User Interface)
The way a user interacts with an application or a website. The user interface… More or userA person that uses a product. More interface designers. UI(User Interface)
The way a user interacts with an application or a website. The user interface… More designers focus more on the look, feel and design of the visual presentation rather than the technical aspects. Web designers require in-depth technical knowledge of programming languages like HTMLHypertext Markup Language – The coding language used to build almost all websites. HTML is the found… More, CSS(Cascading Style Sheet)
Code used to style a web document. Cascading Style Sheets is a style shee… More and JavaScriptJavaScript is among the most popular, powerful and flexible text-based programming languages used… More.
Below is a sample of the steps in a workflow of a web design process.
- Gather requirements
- Submit proposalA business proposal is a written document sent to a prospective client in order to obtain a specific… More
- Navigation Summary
- Wireframe
- Content Collection
- Project Timeline
- MockupA mockup or mock-up is a scaled model or replica of something showing users and stakeholders how som… More Design
- Development
- Prototype Submission
- Launch
Mobile Design
Mobile or UX(User Experience)
How a user interacts with and experiences a product, system or service. It incl… More (UserA person that uses a product. More Experience) design is the overall design of subjective experiences a person has while interacting with hand-held mobile and wearable devices. Interactions on mobile devices include apps, interfaces, software, and the hardware itself. The UI(User Interface)
The way a user interacts with an application or a website. The user interface… More designer is responsible for the overall style of the apps, including colors, typographyTypography is the art and technique of arranging letters to make written language legible, readable … More, icons, buttons, and widgets that people will use. People spend a lot of time on their mobile devices and there’s an app for almost everything.
3D Modeling
3D Modeling is an art form and process of using mathematical equations to make graphics come to life in three dimensions – height, width, and depth. It’s also an area of design that I wish I had further developed, but I’m not retired just yet. 3D graphics are used for 3D printing, prototyping, movies, engineering, medicine, manufacturing, industrial design, architecture, video games, animation, science, technology, real estate, interior design, advertising, marketing, and more. Virtual environments can be a cost effective solution by creating digital prototypes before physical production.
Categories of 3D Design/Modeling
- Game Design
- Architecture and Interior Design
- 3D Printing
- Product Design
- Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Film and Animation
Software – Most professional design software have free trial versions and there are free options you can explore if you just want to experiment before you make an investment.
Motion Graphics
Motion graphics is the ability to animate pieces of graphics, video, text, visual effects, and sounds to create dynamic multimedia projects. Motion graphics are used to create artwork for television, film, and the web. Motion graphics are commonly used by businesses and organizations to create engaging experiences through animated graphic design. Some of these projects might include the following:
- Explainer Videos
- Product Marketing
- UI(User Interface)
The way a user interacts with an application or a website. The user interface… More Animations - Film and Television
- Education and Training
Illustration Art
Illustration is an art form that interprets things pictorially or visually to clarify or demonstrate something. Illustration and graphic design are multidisciplinary skills, so illustrators and designers often switch hats. The main difference between the two disciplines is graphic designers rely on illustrations as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More part of a set of elements to work with, where illustrators create and produce the illustrations themselves.
Illustration Techniques
There are many illustration techniques from traditional to modern. See below for examples of types of illustration.
| Woodcut/Block Print | Metal Etchings | Pencil Illustrations |
| Engraving | Mezzotint | Stipple |
| Charcoal Illustration | Lithography | Watercolor |
| Gouache | Acrylics | Collage |
| Pen-and-Ink | Freehand/Digital | VectorVector graphics are digital artworks composed of points, lines, and curves that are based on mathema… More Graphics |
Illustration Genres
In the table below are some common illustration genres or styles. As(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More with any other creative discipline, it’s about individuality and creative expression.
| Concept Art | Children’s Illustration | Comics |
| Graphic Novels | Publications | Editorials |
| Advertising | Packaging | Logo/Branding |
Graphic Design Styles
Graphic design style is a combination of different shapes, colors, typographyTypography is the art and technique of arranging letters to make written language legible, readable … More, form, lines, and curves that work in harmony to accomplish your design goals.
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an ornamental style that is characterized by use of long organic lines and is an international art style that is often used in architecture, interior design, jewelry, glass, posters, illustration, etc. Art Nouveau was popular in Europe and the United States between 1890 and 1910.
- Intricate illustrative style
- BoldA heavy weight of any given typeface, often used for emphasis. More, heavy weighted outlines
- Hand drawn and colored
- Use of natural forms
- Use of a natural color and tonal palette• A palette is the color scheme of a specific design or brand – making up part of a brand’s styl… More
- Regularly features female personas
Art Deco
Art Deco can be characterized as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More a sleek geometric style that uses rich colors, boldA heavy weight of any given typeface, often used for emphasis. More geometry, and decadent detailed work that brings an element of glamour and luxury using symmetry and exuberant shapes. Art Deco originated in France in the mid-to-late 1910s and became popular in the United States and Europe during the 1930s and is often found in architecture.
Noir
Noir is the French label for the “black film” genre that peaked in the 1944-1955 period. Its origins are the detective novels of Dashiell Hammett 1929-34.
- Hard, un-diffused look of tabloid newspapers
- Night scenes with low-key lighting and cluttered, claustrophobic dark interiors
- Depictions of bleak fatalistic overtones of despair and madness
- Heightened expressionistic scenes with elements that are distorted, nightmarish, grotesque, and exaggerated
American Kitsch
“Kitsch” is a German word meaning “in bad taste” and is used to describe artwork that is vulgar, tasteless, pretentious, and lack of sophistication. American Kitsch was popular in the United States in the 1950s but rarely found in art history books or taught in design schools. Contemporary designers still have a deep affection for this style of design.
Swiss/International
International style is a typographic design style also known as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More “Swiss” style that emerged in Russia, the Netherlands, and Germany in the 1920s and was further developed by Switzerland in the 1950s.
- Consistent use of negative space
- Saturated, matte color palettes
- Very ‘clean’ and simple
- Sans serif fonts favored
- Asymmetrical layouts
Psychedelic
Psychedelic art dominated the art culture in the 1960s when psychedelic drugs became popular in Western culture, particularly the United States and Britain. Music and album covers from the 60s summarizes the era’s popularity.
- Influenced by the psychedelic drug culture
- Intense, clashing colors
- Type and image use influenced by Art Nouveau
- Hand-drawn type generally illegible and hard to read
- Abstracted curvaceous forms and design elements
Punk
Punk was part of the Postmodernist’s movement that rebelled against the rules of the Swiss movement and neutral sans serif typographyTypography is the art and technique of arranging letters to make written language legible, readable … More in the 1970s. Design choices were made from lack of planning or knowledge of design and made use of collages, had drawings, stencils, rubber stamping, Xerox copying, and offset printing.
- Low quality, photocopier printed images
- Grainy and matt screen printing effects
- Found and collaged type
- Predominantly photographic imagery
- High contrastContrast, by definition, means to compare and contrast; to note the opposite natures, purposes, etc…. More, boldA heavy weight of any given typeface, often used for emphasis. More colors
- Overall rough, textured aesthetic
Grunge
The Grunge design trend uses subdued, less uniform, less structured organic subdued look and feel. Grunge style is characterized by textured gritty backgrounds, torn edges, faded elements, and is inspired by urban and industrial scenery.
Minimalist
Minimalist design is the most basic stripped down form of design and is meant to be calming and bring the mind to just the basics. Minimalism is absent of colors, shapes and textures to make important content stand out as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More focal point.
- No depth of field
- Minimalist design space
- Neutral tones and secondary colors
- Linear design elements
- Use of negative space
3-Dimensional
3D Modeling is an art form and process of using mathematical equations to make graphics come to life in three dimensions – height, width, and depth. 3D modeling was developed in the 1960s by the creator of Sketchpad, Ivan Sutherland.
- Illusion of live-like depth and volume
- Employs various lighting effects
- Shadow and depth indications often utilize one color, with tonal variations
Abstract
Abstract design is usually absent of reality and uses the visual language of form, shape, line, and color to create visual designs independent from references of the real world.
- Ambiguous representation of an object / concept
- Independent from the way it looks in real life
- Invites individual interpretation
Conceptual
Conceptual design is an early stage of the design phase where designs are refined and plan, specifications and estimates are created.
- Metaphorical depiction of a visual idea
- May contain some elements of reality
- Features designer’s own interpretation of the object it models after
Feminine
Feminine design uses shapes and details that are appealing to women. Think curves, delicate detailing, wavy lines, soft color palettes, florals, and cursive writing. Feminine design is the opposite of Masculine design which tends to have flat raw forms.
- May employ cursive, fluid fonts
- May incorporate pastel colors and/or shades of red (pink, purple, orange)
- May feature a woman’s face, flowers and fashion components (lipstick, shoes)
Playful
Playful, like the name says, playful design is intended to make things fun by using playful, cartoonish, and colorful elements in the design. Playful design is often used in children’s books and video games.
- Cartoonish and inspires fun
- May feature caricaturized person / animal
- Colorful
- May contain elements of fantasy
Geometric
Circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, lines, and other shapes combine to create intricate designs and patterns to form beautiful geometric designs.
- Heavy use of geometric shapes
- Incorporates straight lines
- Features symmetry
illustration
Illustration is an art form that interprets things pictorially or visually to clarify or demonstrate something.
- Visual explanation of a text, concept or process
- Generally has ‘raw’, hand-drawn look
- Look dependent on designers’ drawing style
Luxury
Luxury design is an expression of self in style that may involve pieces or components of their own personalities that are decoratively elaborate with details that are small and subtle.
- Evokes the idea of indulging in extra comforts or pleasures
- Often uses the colors black, gold and bronze
- Achieves the idea the brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More is impactful on its own by employing simple, minimalist designs
- Uses either old-style fonts or simple and modern fonts
Masculine
Masculine design is all about clean lines, sharp edges, and darker and neutral colors as opposed to the curves and colors of more feminine styles.
- Stereotypically appealing to men
- Simple lines, monochromatic theme (black and white) and “rugged” textureTexture is an art element that refers to how an object’s surface characteristics and appearance feel… More
- May employ hard-edged, thick-stroke fonts
- May incorporate rugged and gritty images
- May feature blue or darker colors
Organic and Natural
Organic design is a style of design which takes as its starting point organic, flowing natural forms.
- Flowing natural forms of a reality
- Generally incorporates natural elements like leaves, flowers and fresh produce
- May be combined with illustrated look for the raw, organic look
Photorealism
Photorealism is a genre of art that encompasses painting, drawing and other graphic media, in which an artist studies a photograph and then attempts to reproduce the image as realistically as possible in another medium.
- Features refined details to emulate the original image as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More much as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More possible - Usually achieved by, but not limited to, pencil sketches
Corporate
Corporate design is the design of a company’s brandA brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or se… More image and includes all of a company’s visual aspects and design elements, reaching from logos to social media assets and stationery.
- Muted colors, and minimal details
- Employs straight, classic fontA font is a set of printable or displayable text character s in a specific style and size. The type… More types
- Incorporates simple shapes or objects
- May invoke formal impressionsThe number of times an ad or listing appeared. This does not always mean that a user actually viewed… More with use of negative space and line art
- Formal impressionsThe number of times an ad or listing appeared. This does not always mean that a user actually viewed… More on their target audience
Typographic
Typography design is the art and technique of arranging type. It should be at the center of a designer’s skillset and is about much more than making words legible. The typeface you choose and how it works with your layout and color scheme will make the difference between a good, bad and great design.
- Utilizes the modification of fonts
- Design of the written words to evoke response in target audience
- Utilized in logo design
- FontA font is a set of printable or displayable text character s in a specific style and size. The type… More style is generally the focus of the design
- Typographic design may incorporate objects, but the text usually conveys the main message
Avant Garde
The avant-garde (/ˌævɒ̃ˈɡɑːrd/; In French: [avɑ̃ɡaʁd] ‘advance guard’ or ‘vanguard’, literally ‘fore-guard’) is a person or work that is experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society. It is frequently characterized by aesthetic innovation and initial unacceptability.
Vintage/Retro
Retro or Vintage style is imitative or consciously derivative of lifestyles, trends, or art forms from the historical past, including in music, modes, fashions, or attitudes. In popular nostalgia culture it is typically 20-30 years before the current one.
- Retrospective style that is derivative of trends from the recent past
- Inspired by the decorative styles of the Victorian era (Steam Punk, Industrial, Bauhaus)
- Incorporates rustic, nostalgic elements to invoke the past
- May use illustrated ornate ribbons and wreaths reminiscent of the 19th century
- May incorporate visual clues such as(Article Submission)
It is a process of submitting an article related to your website. More old letterpress, hand-drawn typefaces and elaborate decorative arts
Conclusion
Graphic designers have a lot of responsibility. They are responsible for taking your message and beautifying it by translating it visually to engage audiences and persuade consumers to perform an action or make a purchase. It’s like food (I love using food analogies). There are many different flavors, ingredients, recipes, and lots of ways to cook it. Traditional art and design combined with technology has created an environment where ideas are limitless, tools are abundant, and innovation keeps us moving forward.
Annette C. Sage / CEO at Sage Design GroupCreative Solutions to Grow Your Business.™ Our VISION: Sage Design Group wants to be the go-t…
