It’s been said that a picture is worth 1,000 words—and this is especially true about graphic design. After all, graphic designers are responsible for creating visual content that is both informative and visually appealing.

In a recent study, 49% of marketers ranked visual marketing as “very important” while 22% said it’s “essential”. The most popular uses for visual content are websites and blogs, followed by social media. People retain 65% of the information in images as opposed to 10% of what they hear three days later.

This is why businesses invest so heavily in their marketing and advertising campaigns. By working with a talented and experienced graphic designer, businesses can create stunning visuals that will help them to achieve their desired results. However, it’s important to note that not all graphic designers are created equal. In fact, there are a number of different types of graphic designers, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. As such, it’s important to choose the right designer for your specific needs.

It is also true that graphic design services can get expensive.  This is especially true if you’re working with a designer who isn’t familiar with your industry or target market. However, by taking the time to find a reputable and experienced graphic design agency, you can get the high-quality visuals you need without breaking the bank.

In this guide, we’ll bust the myths about graphic design work as a whole, explain the different types of graphic designers, and give you some tips on how to find the right one for your business.

 

What Do Graphic Designers Do?

Graphic designers create visual content for various platforms, including websites, books, magazines, advertisements, product packaging, etc. In some cases, they may also be responsible for creating concepts for branding purposes or layouts for print or digital media.

While the specific duties of a graphic designer will vary depending on the project at hand, there are a few core tasks that all designers are responsible for. These include:

• Researching the needs of their client or employer
• Developing concepts or ideas
• Sketching out potential designs
• Creating detailed illustrations or infographics
• Incorporating branding elements into their design
• Editing or modifying existing designs
• Preparing files for print or digital publication
• Ensuring that all projects meet industry standards

 

Graphic designers typically use a variety of software programs to complete their work, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. However, it’s important to note that creativity and artistic talent are also essential for success in this field.

 

Types of Graphic Designers

There are several different types of graphic designers. Here are the most common types:

• Branding Specialists: A  branding specialist is a graphic designer who specializes in creating visuals for branding purposes. This might include developing logos, crafting marketing materials, and creating overall brand guidelines.
• Marketing Designers: A marketing designer creates visuals for use in marketing and advertising campaigns. This could involve designing website banners, crafting email newsletters, or developing print ads.
• Packaging Designers: Packaging designers are responsible for the design of product packaging, such as boxes, bottles, and labels. In some cases, they may also be involved in the design of retail displays.
• User Interface Designers: User interface (UI) designers create interfaces for digital products, such as websites and mobile apps. Their goal is to create an intuitive and user-friendly experience for users.
• Motion Graphic Designers: Motion graphics are a type of graphic design that uses animation and video to create visually stimulating content. Motion graphics designers use a variety of software programs to create their work, such as After Effects and Maya.
• Animation Designers: Animation is a type of motion graphic that brings static images to life. Animators use various techniques to animate their designs, such as stop-motion and traditional hand-drawn animation.
• Game Designers: Game designers are responsible for the visual elements of video games. This includes creating the game’s characters, scenery, and user interface. In some cases, they may also be involved in the game’s development process.
• Illustrators:  Illustrators use their artistic talent to create a variety of visuals, such as book covers, company logos, and product packaging. While they may use software programs to help with the creation process, their work is largely hand-drawn.

 

7 Common Graphic Design Myths

When people hear ‘graphic design’, it’s almost always that they think about creating logos or web design.  However, there’s a lot more to this profession than meets the eye. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths about graphic design:

 

Graphic Design Is Only About Logos

While graphic designers do create logos, this isn’t the only thing that they do. As we’ve seen, there are many different types of graphic designers, each with their own set of specialities. Aside from creating logos, they also develop concepts, illustrations, branding materials, marketing collateral, and much more.

They also help establish a strong brand identity for businesses of all sizes by working on many branding materials such as business cards, letterheads, and even website design. If you’re looking to create a strong brand, especially online, you need to ensure that all visual aspects of your business are on point and consistent. At Public Ad Agency, we create brand guidelines for our clients, which help to keep their brand identity consistent across all touch points.

 

Graphic Design Focuses On Still Visuals

While graphic design does involve creating still visuals, it’s not limited to this. As we’ve seen, there are also types of graphic designers who focus on motion graphics and animation. These designers use their skills to create visuals that move and engage viewers.

This is why you have to be very specific when it comes to defining what you want from a graphic designer. If you need help with creating still visuals, be sure to communicate this to them so they can best meet your needs. On the other hand, if you need help with creating moving visuals, make sure to find a designer who specializes in this area.

Each type of visual design requires years of practice and training to master. So if you need help with moving visuals, you can’t just hire any graphic designer and expect them to be able to deliver what you need.

 

Graphic Design Needs To Follow Trends

Some graphic designers do indeed follow trends. However, this isn’t a requirement of the profession. In fact, many successful designers focus on creating timeless work that doesn’t rely on current trends.

It still boils down to your design style and what you’re trying to communicate with your work. If you want to create something that will stand the test of time, then focus on creating classic designs that are simple and elegant. However, if you’re looking to create something more edgy and attention-grabbing, then following trends may be a good option for you.

 

It Requires Expensive Tools And Software

You don’t need expensive tools and software to be a successful graphic designer. While there are many high-end tools available, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, you can find free or low-cost alternatives that will do the job just as well.

In fact, some of the most successful designers use very basic tools and software. It all depends on your design style and what you’re trying to achieve. So don’t feel like you need to invest in expensive tools and software just because you want to have a graphic designer on your team.

 

Graphic Design Only Makes Things Pretty

As we’ve mentioned, graphic designers also help with conceptualizing and branding. They don’t just make things pretty. They help businesses tell their story and make their brand more relatable and memorable.

Making things look “pretty” is just one of the many perks. If your ad or website is appealing and has captured your attention, then your designer did a great job.

 

Graphic Design Is Easy

No, it is not.  Like any profession, it requires years of training and practice to master. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not being honest.

While there are some people who are naturally gifted when it comes to design, for most people, it takes a lot of hard work to become a successful graphic designer. And mastery of a craft comes at a cost.

If you’re thinking about hiring a graphic designer, be sure to ask them about their experience and training. And take a look at their portfolio to see if their style matches what you’re looking for.

 

Graphic Designers Can Knock it Out Real Quick

You can’t just sit down and expect to create a masterpiece in an hour. Good design takes time.

Graphic designers need to be able to conceptualize, experiment, and iterate until they’ve found the perfect solution for their clients. This process often requires many rounds of revisions before the final product is complete.

 

Why is Graphic Design Important in Marketing?

Humans are naturally visual creatures.  We’re attracted to bright colors, patterns, and shapes. And we tend to remember visually appealing things. In fact, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and the brain absorbs visual information 60,000X faster than text. 

This is why graphic design is so important in marketing, especially digital. The digital space has been saturated with content, and it’s only getting more crowded. To stand out, businesses need to create visuals that are not only eye-catching but also relevant and informative.

Graphic design is important in marketing because it can help:

• Create a strong first impression
• Communicate key messages quickly and effectively
• Establish brand identity
• Boost recall and recognition
• Increase engagement and conversions

 

If you’re not sold on the importance of graphic design in marketing, consider this: landing pages that feature videos generate 800% more conversions. So if you’re not using visuals in your marketing, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to engage your audience and grow your business.

 

Looking for a  graphic designer to help you with your marketing? We can help! Holler at us over at Public Ad Agency, and we’ll get you set up with a designer from our team who can help you take your marketing to the next level.