graphic design essay introduction

Graphic Essays and Comics

Overview   |   Recommended Software   |   Student-Made Examples   |   Other Examples   |   Instructional Video

A graphic essay (sometimes called a visual essay) uses a combination of text and images to explore a specific topic. Graphic essays can look like comics, graphic novels, magazines, collages, artist books, textbooks, or even websites. Graphic essays often first take the form of written essays and then have graphic elements added to enrich the reader experience. Unlike infographics, which also combine text and images, graphic essays are often more text-based and usually have a narrative arc or specific reading order.

Comics are a genre used to express ideas through images combined with text or other visual information. Comics can take the form of a single panel or a series of juxtaposed panels of images, sometimes called a strip. Text is conveyed via captions below the panel(s), or speech bubbles and onomatopoeias within the panel(s), to indicate dialogue, narration, sound effects, or other information. Graphic novels are often considered to be a longer form of comics, typically in book form.

A web-based graphic essay can take the form of a blog or a single page website, such as a Microsoft Sway page or an interactive Prezi. For Microsoft Sway and Prezi graphic essays, see the examples below. If you are creating a blog we recommend visiting the Web-Based Projects page .

Graphic Essay Design Tip: Graphic essays can take many forms, so we recommend being creative within the scope of your project! Get some help from DesignLab to brainstorm options and talk through the various tools available!

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Recommended Software

There are many different software programs that can be used to create graphic essays. Below is a list of the software that we recommend for making a graphic essay. We organized the software by category and put the software from top to bottom from best to worst. We recommend using a software you know well or learning the software well enough to establish an easy workflow, so you can spend less time troubleshooting and spend more time on your project. Check out our Software Support page for links to tutorials for all of these programs.

General Graphic Essay Software

Web-Based Graphic Essay Software

Comic-Specific Graphic Essay Software

Student-Made Examples

Print style graphic essay.

Becoming a Witness by Jessica Posnock

Creative Graphic Essay

Virtual Communication by Max Hautala   *Award Winning*

Curb Magazine (2012) by Journalism 417

Web-Based (Magazine) Graphic Essay

Curb Magazine (Current) by Journalism 417

Web-Based (Sway) Graphic Essay

Language Influences Culture, Thoughts, and Identity by Kristen Luckow   *Award Winning*

Dyslexia by Maria Swanke *Award Winning*

Other Examples

Web-based (blog) graphic essay.

Switch It Up: Graphic Essay by Amanda Zieba

Graphic Novel

Graphic Novels in the Classroom by Gene Yang

Instructional Video

Graphic Design

William Drenttel , Jessica Helfand | Essays

October 11, 2010

An Introduction to Graphic Design

In addition to their role in the visual engineering of most printed matter, graphic designers today lend their expertise to a host of related disciplines including, but not limited to, strategy and consulting, information and experience design, branding and broadcast design, and signage and wayfinding systems. They are groomed to acquire a certain classic set of skills (which today demand a facility with software) including drawing, photography, composition and typography — the design and structural characteristics of letterforms, arguably graphic design’s lingua franca .

Worst: The Walmart logo; PowerPoint; the food pyramid; and the 2012 Olympics : Identity programs thrive particularly when there is a lively relationship between that which is constant and that which is variable. The opposite, consequently, reveals itself in programs that favor one (too much constancy) or the other (too much commotion). Regarding the former, Walmart’s recent repositioning features a bland logo that could easily be mistaken for countless other brands, while Powerpoint’s interface, though easy to follow, is little more than a recipe for boredom. (It would not be an exaggeration to suggest that Powerpoint is anathema to most designers.) In the commotion category, the 2005 redesign of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “food pyramid” is hard to read, and uses a generic, stick-figure bounding up a staircase of color bars to represent an individual’s ideal nutritional intake. (Considerably easier, if ultimately lethal, to duck into a local McDonalds: golden arches or stick figure with color bars? You make the call!) It is possible that Wolff Olins, the designers of the controversial 2012 London Olympics mark, similarly aspired to such graphic representations of atheleticism: pink, blue, green, orange! And sliced off corners! The jigsaw-puzzle letterforms immediately unleashed a torrent of public vitriol (including pleas from some 45,000 petitioners) and generated at least one study suggesting the mark in video form was likely to induce seizures among epileptics. Oh well.  

Graphic Design: A New History by Stephen J. Eskilson A substantial new history of graphic design, now being widely taught. Critically reviewed on Design Observer by Alice Twemlow and Lorraine Wild.

Envisioning Information by Edward Tufte Former Yale statistician Tufte reconsiders the successes and failures of information graphics — those charts and graphs that illustrate quantifiable data — and illuminates the practices as well as the pitfalls inherent in the visualization of information.

Merz to Emigre and Beyond: Avant-Garde Magazine Design of the Twentieth Century by Steven Heller The best book on the design and history of magazines. Period.

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By William Drenttel & Jessica Helfand

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Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — Design — The Graphic Designer Career

The Graphic Designer Career

• Categories: Design

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Words: 617 |

Published: Jun 13, 2024

Words: 617 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, body paragraphs, essential skills and education, career paths and specializations, industry demands and job outlook, impact of technological advancements.

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Beginning Graphic Design  - Fundamentals of Design

Beginning graphic design  -.

• Fundamentals of Design

Beginning Graphic Design Fundamentals of Design

Beginning Graphic Design: Fundamentals of Design

Lesson 5: fundamentals of design.

/en/beginning-graphic-design/images/content/

The basis of art, design, and more

The fundamentals of design are the foundation of every visual medium , from fine art to modern web design. They're even present in seemingly unimportant details, like the fonts that make up most compositions.

What do these examples have in common? Some very basic elements, including line , shape , form , texture , and balance . They might not seem like much on their own, but together, they're part of almost everything we see and create.

The fundamentals can be intimidating at first, especially if you don't consider yourself an artist. But keep an open mind—there's a lot they can teach you about working with different assets and creating simple visuals from scratch.

Watch the video to learn more about the fundamentals of design.

A line is a shape that connects two or more points . It can be fat, thin, wavy, or jagged—the list goes on. Every possibility gives the line a slightly different feel.

Lines appear frequently in design; for example, in drawings and illustrations . They're also common in graphic elements , like textures, patterns, and backgrounds.

Lines can be used in more humble compositions , too—for organization, emphasis, or just decoration. In the example below, lines have been used to create a flow chart that guides the reader's eye from one element to the next.

When working with lines, pay attention to things like weight , color , texture , and style . These subtle qualities can have a big impact on the way your design is perceived.

Look for places where lines are hiding in plain sight; for example, in text . Even here, experimenting with different line qualities can give you very different results.

A shape is any two-dimensional area with a recognizable boundary. This includes circles, squares, triangles, and so on.

Shapes fall into two distinct categories: geometric (or regular) and organic (where the shapes are more free form).

Shapes are a vital part of communicating ideas visually . They give images heft and make them recognizable. We understand street signs, symbols, and even abstract art largely because of shapes.

Shapes have a surprising number of uses in everyday design . They can help you organize or separate content, create simple illustrations, or just add interest to your work. See if you can spot the many examples in the image below.

Shapes are important because they're the foundation of so many things. Learn to look for them in other designs, and soon you'll start seeing them everywhere.

When a shape becomes 3D , we call it a form. Forms make up a variety of things in the real world, including sculptures, architecture, and other three-dimensional objects.

However, forms don't have to be three-dimensional shapes. They can also be implied through illustration , using t echniques like light, shadow, and perspective to create the illusion of depth.

In two-dimensional design, form makes realism possible . Without it, renderings like the image below—a ball with highlights and shading—simply wouldn't be the same.

Even images that are less realistic use similar techniques to create dimension. Below, the lighting and shading are stylized, but still hint at form and depth.

In everyday composition, the purpose of form is the same, but on a smaller scale. For example, a simple shadow can create the illusion of layers or give an object a sense of place .

Basic forms can bring a touch of realism to your work, which is a powerful tool when used in moderation.

Texture is the physical quality of a surface . Like form, it can be part of a three-dimensional object, as in the example below (a small prickly cactus in a shiny ceramic pot).

Or it can be implied through illustration, suggesting that it would have texture if it existed in real life.

In design, texture adds depth and tactility to otherwise flat images. Objects can appear smooth, rough, hard, or soft, depending on the elements at play.

For beginners, textures make great background images and can add a lot of interest to your work. Look closely, and you may find texture in unexpected places, like distressed fonts and smooth, glossy icons.

Just be careful not to go overboard—too much texture in a single design can quickly become overwhelming.

Balance is the equal distribution of visual weight (more specifically, how much any one element attracts the viewer's eye). Balance can be affected by many things, including color , size , number , and negative space .

Mastering balance can be tricky for beginners because it does take some intuition. Luckily, the design world is full of examples that can help you understand its different iterations.

Symmetrical designs are the same or similar on both sides of an axis. They feel balanced because each side is effectively the same (if not identical).

Asymmetrical designs are different, but the weight is still evenly distributed . The composition is balanced because it calls attention to the right things (in this example, the person's name and company logo).

The rule of thirds

Many people, including designers and photographers, use a strategy called the rule of thirds . This imagines your work area divided into a 3x3 grid . The focal point of the image is placed on or near one of the grid lines , creating visual balance with the rest of the space.

We find this type of composition appealing because, according to studies, the human eye naturally follows this path when scanning a design.

Putting it all together

The fundamentals of design are all about the bigger picture —in other words, learning to appreciate the many small details that make up every composition.

This insight can be applied to almost any type of project , whether you're creating your own graphics or just looking for simple ways to enhance your work.

We hope you enjoyed learning the fundamentals of design!

Be sure to check out the rest of our graphic design topics, including:

• Branding and Identity

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Assigning a Graphic Essay as an Essay Alternative: 5 Sites to Use

One of my favorite ways to assess my students’ essay-writing skills without actually assigning a traditional essay is with the graphic essay . A graphic essay is an excellent essay alternative for the middle school ELA or high school English classroom.

A graphic essay is a graphic representation that contains all of the essential essay elements. It combines writing, visual elements, and design. When assigning a graphic essay, you can have students include any particular aspect from the essay that you want.

Getting Started

Once you know what you want to assess, start mapping out the student requirements. I’m pretty old-school when it comes to things and prefer to draft out my notes with paper and pencil. When I do this, I make a list of all of the elements that I want my students to include. For a recent project, I wanted them to include a variety of features: introduction, big ideas with supporting evidence, counter argument, quick facts, visual data representation, and a Works Cited page.

Work Before Design

Once you have your graphic essay outlined, it is time to assign it to the students. However, and I cannot stress this enough, you don’t want them to focus on the visual and graphic elements first. That is just a hot mess waiting to happen. You know how it will go. Some students will spend the entire class period deciding between a blue or green spot color design element. By the time the class period ends, they’ll have a lovely purple box on their graphic essay, but that will probably all they have accomplished—one box.

Instead, try this. Have your students work on a brainstorming organizer first. You’ll want them to brainstorm, write, and curate all of the content for the graphic essay before they start the design process. When I complete this project in my classroom, I have them draft everything, find all of the images they want to include, and submit that work for a grade before they even start the design process.

Students either love or hate the graphic design process of this alternative essay project, and that is to be expected. When we get to the design process of this project, I try to give my students several different options for creating the final project that matches different graphic design comfort levels. A few of my students usually want to use Adobe Photoshop and design everything from scratch, a few need extra guidance working in a Google Slide, and the majority are excited to try a new online platform. Please note, this is not an ad. These websites did not pay to be included in this post.

One thing that I cannot emphasize enough for this type of project is that I grade content and not design. Let me repeat that: I assess the content of the work and not the quality of the design.

Here’s a look at some of the different platforms I suggest my students use to create their graphic essay. This list is in order from easiest to most advanced.

1. Google Docs – Most students are already familiar with Google Docs. Using the draw tool, students can create images, place text, and color to their Google Docs. For my students who need the most assistance with the design process, I have them use my initial template (which I created using the draw tool in Google Docs) and a plug and play template.

2. Google Slides – Some students might prefer Google Slides over Google Docs because they might feel like they have more freedom. Using Google Slides, students can change the dimensions of each slide to 8.5×11 inches (or larger), and use the textbox tool, shape tool, and other design tools to create the graphic essay.

3. Canva.com – I love Canva because it provides students with different design templates and elements. While there is a paid version, I tell all of my students to use the free option. Using Canva, students can select a flier because that is preset to 8.5×11 inch dimensions. Once students are in Canva, there are a ton of free design tools. Students can choose from a variety of options, including preset text designs, frames, shapes, data (which is excellent for inserting bar graphs and pie charts), and pictures. Students can even upload their own images to the site as well!

4. Adobe Spark – Adobe Spark is another great online tool for students to create graphic essays and other multimedia presentations. Students can choose a custom size to create an 8.5×11 inch poster, and Adobe Spark also has premade text elements and templates to choose from.

5. Piktochart.com – Personally, I like Piktochart more for having students create infographics instead of graphic essays, but Piktochart still works. Students can the custom size or letter size to create their graphic. Piktochart has more advanced design features, and one unique design feature is that students can design their project in blocks. Similar to Canva and Adobe Spark, students can also upload their own images to their creation.

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Sharing the File

Once students finish creating their graphic essays, I like to have them upload their creations to one location so that all of my students can see the work that everyone created. My favorite site for this is Padlet. If you haven’t used Padlet before, it is like an online corkboard. Students can post their designs to your class’s board. Students can also comment on other students’ work if you want to add a gallery walk element to this project.

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Essay Samples on Graphic Design

The struggle of the graphic designers and social media.

Graphic designers relied heavily on word-of-mouth for their works to become popular and to be seen by the public, it was close to impossible to grow an organic dedicated fanbase to follow your work, nowadays with the rise of the internet and social media, you...

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Practical Usage of Typography in the Corner of Explanation

In 1979 Bruce Brown examined “The Graphic Triangle” which was made of 3 elements, 'explanation', 'persuasion' and 'identification'. These were the only values he believe should be adopted when attempting to communicate ideas or messages. As far as we know nowadays there is a variety...

The Key Factors of Photo Editing in Photoshop

Do you want to know about how to photo Editing in Photoshop? In this essay, you will know about all the key things for photo editing. Are you willing to learn picture editing on Photoshop? So in this essay we are using Photoshop for editing....

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All the Abilities of Photoshop: An In-Depth Analysis

Seeing that most of the population of tourists that choose to take a cruise to Alaska, this magazine will be based off that. In order to boost the tourism in Alaska, this photo shows a newlywed couple really enjoying themselves. Later in life they would...

• Computer Software

Application, Programs and Process in Computer Graphics

Components Interactive computer Graphics consist of three components particularly digital buffer, TV display and display controller. Using these components, we're able to see the output on the display in form of pixels. Abstract Computer portraits are snap shots and movies created the use of computers....

• Computer Graphics

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Image Types and Concepts in Computer Graphics

Abstract Computer graphics are pictures and films created using computers. Usually, the term refers to computer-generated image data created with the help of specialized graphical hardware and software. It is a vast and recently developed area of computer science. The phrase was coined in 1960,...

Complexity and Design Freedom of 3d Printing

My computing innovation is 3D-Printing. This is the process of making three-dimensional objects from a digital file with a 3D-printer. Its purpose is to allow users to produce complex objects in a precise and repeatable way. With my computational artifact, I show how 3D-printing works;...

• 3D Printing
• Cloud Computing

How and What is Made 3D Printing

3D printing also known as additive manufacturing is an old technology that has been referred to as a group of technologies that build physical objects directly from 3D-CAD data file [125].In contrast to subtractive manufacturing technologies (such as milling or machining, cutting, lathing, turning, etc.),...

3D Printing Revolution In the World of Producing

Abstract 3D printing has been a revolution within the world of producing that has modified the manner a product is intended and made. it's led to a seismal amendment within the methodology of producing, whereby the merchandise is made layer-by-layer to the ultimate kind. This...

Foundation And Development of 3D Printing

Introduction With the development of society and the needs of people, for many businesses, innovation has become an indispensable key to success. As a group, we are asked to create an innovative product by using the 3D printer for our assignment. The purpose of this...

The Process of Creation of Logos in Graphic Design

The graphic design pathway project revolves around the creation and rebranding of an existing business’ logo. Firstly, a research study was done various aspects and areas in graphic design, throughout the study a research book was compiled. In chapter one of my studies I explored...

Graphic Design and the Factors That Influence the Work Process

I always wanted to be a graphic designer since my freshman year when I took a course on it and i really enjoyed it. My work style fits this career in many ways. I would envision myself in working in my own company or work...

The Learning Software for Graphic Design Studies

Introduction The realm of graphic design has witnessed a transformative shift with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning methodologies into various design software. This essay examines two graphic design programs that harness these cutting-edge technologies, focusing on logo design, image processing, page...

The Birth of Digitalised Graphic Design

As technology moves forward and the graphic design method and process integrates into computers, artificial intelligence (AI) applications will inescapably enter the design industry. In this moment in time, graphic design activities are carried out in various fields without the need of graphic designers, such...

• Artificial Intelligence

Game Storytelling: The Elements of a Compelling Story

Introduction The addition of the storytelling to a game allows the speaker to link the players to the game emotionally. This adds meaning to the experience, and increase a lasting assignation of the players to the game. Some elements need to be incorporated into a...

• Impact of Video Games
• Video Games

Application Of Concept And Texture Art In Digital Graphics

Concept art is the illustrations done to convey ideas and thoughts for use in visual media before it is implemented into the final product. This is important as designing a full asset is harder from imagination and giving concept art to a team conveys the...

• Digital Era

Pixel Art – Digital Graphics Used For Computer Games

Pixel art is a style of digital art drawn at the pixel level, sometimes having the pixels enlarged for a retro appearance. Pixel art is almost exclusively used in video games, however there are some uses for pixel art outside of video games. One notable...

Types Of Digital Graphics Used: Raster And Vector

In digital media, two types of digital graphics are used: raster and vector. Raster files are bitmaps, which are fixed grids of pixels that compose an image as each pixel is coded to a specific hue. Raster graphics are used in photographs, scans and detailed...

• Digital Literacy

Francisco Goya And His Impact On Animation, Games And Movies

Introduction For this task, I have been asked to show that I have explored all aspects of an artist or an artistic theme that has a distinctive style that can translate into the Games, Animation and VFX Industries. The purpose of this task is to...

The Use Of Image Processing To Improve Perception

Open CV provides the inbuilt functionality which improves the perception of an input image. However, if the redundancy in the background is greater than the ROI (Region of Interest), the perception algorithm may give incorrect image as the output on supplying an original image as...

Best topics on Graphic Design

1. The Struggle of the Graphic Designers and Social Media

2. Practical Usage of Typography in the Corner of Explanation

3. The Key Factors of Photo Editing in Photoshop

4. All the Abilities of Photoshop: An In-Depth Analysis

5. Application, Programs and Process in Computer Graphics

6. Image Types and Concepts in Computer Graphics

7. Complexity and Design Freedom of 3d Printing

8. How and What is Made 3D Printing

9. 3D Printing Revolution In the World of Producing

10. Foundation And Development of 3D Printing

11. The Process of Creation of Logos in Graphic Design

12. Graphic Design and the Factors That Influence the Work Process

13. The Learning Software for Graphic Design Studies

14. The Birth of Digitalised Graphic Design

15. Game Storytelling: The Elements of a Compelling Story

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• Advantages of Technology
• Text Messaging
• Cryptography

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Graphic Designer Interview – Tell me about yourself

Most graphic designers I’ve known and worked with had an amazing skill in creating inspiring visual concepts, turning an idea into reality . Yet they also had their weaknesses (struggling to meet deadlines was the biggest one), and many of them did not particularly excel in communication. At the end of the day, talking isn’t the core of their job, and a good portfolio should do the talking . Nevertheless, if you want to get a job of a graphic designer, you will have to successfully navigate through the hiring process . And while many thing can happen and the process be both simple and complex, you will always face one question: “Tell me about yourself” , or “ Introduce yourself “.

What should you focus on in your introduction, and how to make the right impression on the hiring managers? Well, when it comes to graphic design , you should always put emphasis on your portfolio , the previous works you have done, be it for some other employer, freelancing, or just for your own pleasure. Besides that it is good mentioning something from your life outside of graphic design (hopefully you do not spend 16 hours a day in front of a computer), and perhaps even close the introduction with explaining your motivation, and telling them why you want to get the particular job.

Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers to the question. I tried to include on my list answers for both experienced and inexperienced designers, and basically come up with some variety, making sure that at least one of them fits your present situation. Pick such an answer, adjust it slightly, and you can no doubt use it as your introduction in the interviews, or on a job application form.

7 sample answers to “Tell me about yourself” interview question for Graphic Designers

• My name is Markus, and I’ve been designing websites and online graphics for about six years now. Started when I was fourteen, and I quickly found passion for the work, and spent almost my entire free time working on projects for friends, for school, or for my own pleasure . You can check my principal works with description on my online portfolio at [link to your portfolio]. Now I am twenty and no student anymore, looking for a job in a webdesign studio, or in a well-established IT company like this one, in order to further develop my designing skills and work on major projects. I work mostly with Adobe , but I am eager to learn working with other software programs. In my free time, when I am not designing anything, I enjoy hiking and spending time away from my laptop.
• Marion, 32, have been working in fashion design for past 7 years , but now I am looking forward for a transition into graphic design. I just feel that I’ve learned what I could with fashion , and now it is time to work on bigger campaigns. I am most interested in packaging design , since I know the role it plays in each successful product launch. I’d like to have this impact and see the results of my work on the shelves of the retail stores one day . In an international corporation that works with so many brands like your place it is realistic to achieve my goals (though no doubt it will take time) and it is the main reason why I am applying for this job.
• My name is Kati, and I’ve been a passionate UX designer for the past three years, mostly freelancing . And while I have enjoyed some successes (as you can see on my portfolio) and came up with unique design ideas that made some websites and services super-easy to use, I now reached a stage in my career when I do not want to work as a freelancer anymore. I just grew tired of competing with designers from third world countries –many of whom no doubt have great design skills, and can afford their work three times as cheap as I can. But that’s how it is with today’s freelancing landscape and platforms like Upwork. You can earn ten thousand one month and then nothing the next one . And while there is some charm to it, I am looking for job security and stability in life … When not working I enjoy spending time with friends and roller skating.

• Kim here, aspiring graphic designer. I know I do not have much to show now for my skills, except of my hand drawings, which I hope give you some idea of my creativeness and ability to come up with new ideas and concepts . Everyone has to start somewhere though, and I am looking to join a team of experienced designers, and grow under their guidance. Your studio seems like a perfect match for my goal. I am currently learning to work with CorelDRAW, and I hope to explore different software solutions for designers down the road…. In terms of my life outside of school and design, I just enjoy reading books and learning new things.
• I would introduce myself as creative, responsible, and attentive graphic designer . Give me an idea, or a goal you want to meet with a product, and you can be sure I come up with some interesting sketches and designs. Give me a deadline, and you can be sure I will meet it. What’s more, I try my best to be attentive to the needs and feelings of my colleagues , and believe it isn’t a bad thing having me around in the office. I have also a lot of leisure time hobbies, including piano playing and soccer, classical music and dancing. And I really hope to get a job with you, since I am impressed with some of your campaigns , and would love to join your existing team of designers.
• I prefer to let my portfolio do the talking . Please check it on Behance: [link to your portfolio]. In three minutes you can see the variety of projects I’ve worked on during the last ten years, and the list of existing clients. Seeing the portfolio, you may wonder why I am looking for a job. Well, I became a father recently , my priorities have changed, and I am now looking for a regular paycheck month after month , something that just isn’t possible in freelancing. That’s why I am looking for this part time graphic design job and want to make it my first priority , while still doing some work for clients on the side for extra income.
• First of all, I prefer to stay humble and critical of myself . While I certainly designed interesting images for clothing (as you can see on my portfolio), and worked as a photo editor for the biggest name in the area , I still feel that I have a lot to learn in order to reach the level I hope to reach in graphic design. I would characterize myself as someone who never stops learning, someone who always strives to get better in what they do . On the top of that I am an avid cyclist and gamer–if my work allows me to devote myself to one of these hobbies… Is there anything else you’d like me to elaborate on when it comes to my education, experience, or life outside of work?

Ready to answer this one? I hope so! Do not forget to check also 7 sample answers to other tricky questions you may face in your graphic design interview:

• What are your strengths and weaknesses as a graphic designer?
• What does excellence mean to you?
• Tell us about a time when you struggled to meet a tight deadline (with your design work).
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The Role of the Graphic Designer in Today’s Society Essay

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In today’s society, graphic designers carry out a myriad of artistic and professional services, which center on visual communication and presentation. Graphic designers normally employ different techniques to develop symbols, images, and/or words that create a visual representation of ideas and messages in areas such as market research, corporate identity/branding, poster design, advertisements, book layouts, motion video graphics, clothing/fabric design, product design, and many other areas.

In solving visual communication problems, they often make use of topography, visual arts, and page layouts procedures to generate products that transcend frontiers and cultural divides. Among all the arts around us, graphic design is the most universal, powerful, and influential (Newark, 6). Since we engage with it in the streets, in almost everything, and even on our bodies, it is not just a modern or a capitalistic phenomenon. This paper examines its role in today’s society.

Graphic design is a very new design expression technique, which was a spontaneous response to the vast communication requirements of the industrial revolution. As a product of the last hundred years, graphic design was developed in order to market the fruits of mass production to the increasing numbers of consumers.

In the late nineteenth century, the growing reproduction technologies in Europe and North America presented the graphic designers with the opportunity of taking part in the transformation process. From then, having been revolutionized by the advent of computers, the field has been instrumental in serving various purposes to the society.

To begin with, graphic designers have a role to brand the world. Since in most parts of the world branding has replaced corporate identity, many organizations have been compelled to place a higher value on a well-designed, well-managed graphic identity (Holland, 1). Therefore, designers play a requisite role in the different marketplaces of the world.

Branding is a very essential element for any business since it focuses on meeting the needs and the desires of the consumers. The point of view of the consumers dictates the language, the voice, and eventually the design of the product. Therefore, in order to meet the ever-changing shift in consumer tastes and requirements, graphic designers endeavor to develop brands that are unique from others, current with the times, and are consistent in delivery.

The greatest thing about graphic design is that it is far-reaching. That is why most companies are using it to build a strong identity in order to stay competitive in the market. Companies usually use graphic design to boost awareness of their company and to push their products to their fullest potential in reaching the customers.

The companies that have succeeded have done so because they have used quality graphic design as one of their supporting themes. On the other hand, companies that have not taken an advantage of this have never succeeded in creating an additional traffic. A graphical logo is able to influence a consumer to either purchase or not purchase a product. Therefore, most organizations usually employ the services of a graphic designer to develop simple yet catchy graphical images with the aim of attracting any prospective consumers.

The influence of graphic design is evident in the area of commercial advertising. It is employed extensively in conveying the ideas and purposes of the products as well as giving a sense of interest and wonder.

As the designers communicate meaning by means of visual language, appealing products are generated to reach the target audience. This is not possible to be achieved in real life. For example, if someone is shooting a film and he intends to make something fly, he will use graphic design to achieve this purpose. He will computerize the image and graphically generate the image of an object flying.

Graphic design makes them to look realistic. If it were not present, most things would be tasteless and uninteresting. From the very clothes we wear, to the technique of manufacturing various things, graphic design acts on our emotions and assists in shaping our feelings concerning the world around us.

In this modern and fast world, an anti-reading trend is present that is difficult to control. Therefore, graphic designers promote literacy by means of their designs, which manipulate the elements and principals of various subjects to convey an idea in its visual form.

Messages are usually being carried either through text or image and are received either through seeing or reading. The process of seeing is discerning, moving and sometimes realized against the will of a person. On the other hand, the process of reading is a bit more complicated.

This is because the text’s written language signs must be decoded by knowing the proper sequence of the various sings. Without proper analysis of the language of the message, a person cannot successfully decode the information. This difference between reading and seeing has made graphic design to be an important field in our everyday’s life. Graphic images generate a coherent and interesting piece of work, which surpasses language barriers.

Graphic designers also have a social role in today’s society. This unique responsibility is derived from their anticipation to take part in the creation of a new world since inequality and various evils are on the increase. It is possible for art to form a component of every life on the planet. From the time of its creation, graphic design is continuously structuring itself in a self-directed and diversified way. This has been taking place in direct relation with the specific social fabrics of various societies in the globe.

Therefore, it is important to note that this diversity is what will lead to the likelihood of the growth of graphic communication across the globe in the coming years. In a graphic communication process, there is a link between two propositions: the transmitting subjects and the recipients. They both have their various needs and expectations. These give the social dimension of graphic design in today’s society.

Graphic design employs words and images for communicating by means of visual language. If it were not present in our world currently, so many things would be in a mess. Its absence would make things like newspapers, internet, and literature items, to disappear from the face of the planet since all things would have to be painstakingly written by hand.

In the absence of graphic design, we would be forced to receive every information through the spoken word and this would make us to enter another period of Dark Ages. In such an instance, ignorance, prejudice, and superstition would be widespread. However, as long as graphic design is here to stay, its benefits will continue to be felt in today’s society.

Works Cited

Holland, Deborah K. Design issues: how graphic design informs society . New York: Allworth Press, 2001. Print.

Newark, Quentin. What is graphic design? Hove, England: RotoVision, 2002. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2019, February 7). The Role of the Graphic Designer in Today’s Society. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-the-graphic-designer-in-todays-society/

"The Role of the Graphic Designer in Today’s Society." IvyPanda , 7 Feb. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-the-graphic-designer-in-todays-society/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'The Role of the Graphic Designer in Today’s Society'. 7 February.

IvyPanda . 2019. "The Role of the Graphic Designer in Today’s Society." February 7, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-the-graphic-designer-in-todays-society/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Role of the Graphic Designer in Today’s Society." February 7, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-the-graphic-designer-in-todays-society/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Role of the Graphic Designer in Today’s Society." February 7, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-the-graphic-designer-in-todays-society/.

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Turning an Essay into an Infographic

 Remediation can be surprising

Remediation is the process of presenting material from one form in another form, such as recording a podcast that narrates the ideas and information from a photo. 

There are infinite ways that remediation can transform one work into another, so for the purposes of clarity, this resource will focus on turning a written text-based essay into a audio-visual product of an infographic.  

Before you jump into creating a new infographic form of your written essay, you need to make plans.  These plans should start with an understanding of what you are being asked to create using what you already have. 

Here are a few questions to consider:

• What were the main ideas of your essay?  What will they be for your infographic?
• How did the written format help you to express your ideas?  How will the infographic help you?
• How did the written format challenge the expression of your ideas?  How will the infographic format challenge you?
• What thoughts and feelings did you intend your writing to elicit from your readers?  What thoughts and feelings do you want to elicit from your viewers?

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Visual Literacy  

As you work to answer the above questions, you may find yourself wondering how to express your written ideas in a visual format.  Explore the resources linked on our Visual Literacy support page .

Here are some important parts of the Design stage:

• Outlining - Creating an outline of the topics and ideas that you want to express in your infographic.  
• Read about outlining your infographic (Venngage)  
• Designing your infographic - Steps 1-4 of the website linked below by infographic maker Venngage details the design process and offers many examples
• How to make an infographic in 5 steps (Venngage)
• Venngage infographic maker

The design process also includes bringing in materials from other sources.  The internet provides access to millions of images, icons, and other resources for your infographic.  Depending on your assignment requirements, you may be allowed or required to use these materials.  Knowing where to find them, as well as the legal and ethical guidelines to using them is vital.  

Learn about copyright, licensing, and usage of other creators' works.

The creation process for your infographic can start like the above image with a pencil to paper.  It can also start at one of the software apps or websites that you can use to create an infographic.  Your software tool can be as simple as PowerPoint or as advanced as Adobe InDesign.  You can start with a blank canvas or use one of the many templates available from the web.  

Keep the Digital Media Suite's resources and tutoring services in mind as you are creating your infographic.  We are available to provide support with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of programs, as well as offer advice and support as you design and create.

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Robert Slimbach

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Robert Slimbach was born in 1956 in Evanston, Illinois, USA, but grew up in South California. After leaving college he developed an interest in graphic design and typefaces while running a small screen printshop for manufacturing posters and greeting cards. This work brought him into contact with Autologic Incorporation in Newbury Park, California.

From 1983 to 1985, he worked as a font designer with Autologic Incorporation, where Sumner Stone also worked for a short time. There he trained, not just as a font designer but also as a calligrapher.

Following this he was then self-employed for two years and developed the two fonts ITC Slimbach and ITC Giovanni for the International Typeface Corporation in New York.

In 1987 he joined Adobe Systems. Ever since, he has been involved in developing new fonts for the Adobe Originals program. During his time at Adobe Systems, Slimbach went to the Plantin-Moretus museum in Antwerp, Belgium, to study the original Garamond typefaces. These served as the basis for the design of Adobe Garamond.

In 1991 he received the Charles Peignot Award from AtypI for excellence in type design. Slimbach is now based with Adobe Systems in San Jose, California.

[SLC, March 2006]

Most popular fonts designed by Robert Slimbach

Acumin Extra Condensed Bold

Adobe Garamond

Arno Subhead

Garamond Premier

Acumin Wide Ultra Black

Acumin Wide

Minion Bold Condensed

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