A simple definition
Graphic design solves communication problems with visual means. A good piece of graphic design helps someone understand something quickly, feel something about it and know what to do next, whether that’s reading a sign, choosing a product or getting in touch.
What graphic design covers
- Brand identity: logos, colour palettes, typography and the rules that hold them together.
- Print: brochures, stationery, packaging, reports, posters and point-of-sale.
- Digital: websites, social media graphics, email design and online advertising.
- Environmental: signage, vehicle graphics, exhibition stands and wayfinding.
- Information design: charts, diagrams and maps that make complex information clear.
What a graphic designer does
The visible part is the design itself, but most of the job happens before it. A graphic designer works out who the audience is, what they need to understand and what the work has to achieve. Only then do they choose the type, images, colour and layout that will do that best.
A typical project moves through a brief, research, ideas, design development, refinement and production, with the client involved throughout.
Graphic design and branding
The two are related but not the same. Branding is the whole idea of who a business is and how it wants to be seen. Graphic design is one of the main ways that idea is expressed. A strong brand gives graphic design a clear direction; good graphic design makes a brand visible and consistent.
Why it matters
People judge quickly. Clear, well-crafted design builds trust before anyone has read a word, while confusing or inconsistent design makes a good business look less capable than it is.
We’ve been creating graphic design and brands from our Peterborough studio since 2004. See our expertise, or get in touch to talk about a project.