Do 'Graphic Designers' exist?

 Why this article needed to be written?

Image credit: Freepik

It's funny how some casual chats can really get you thinking.

Once I had this discussion with a two of colleagues from another department and honestly, it pushed me to write something I never thought I would need to. I mean, until that moment, I really believed everyone had at least a basic idea of what graphic design is. Talk about being naive!

One of my colleagues made this remark, saying that graphic design doesn’t even exist anymore. I was taken aback! Meanwhile, the other colleague chimed in, insisting that product design is just the latest version of graphic design. I was left there, sort of in disbelief, trying to wrap my head around it all. It was one of those moments where you realise that not everyone sees things the same way, and it felt like I needed to clear the air a bit.

 01. What is design?

Let's first understand what design means. In general, design is all about coming up with creative solutions to real-life problems. It helps make things more accessible, catches the viewer's eye, and ensures that everything is user-friendly and meaningful, sometimes even adding a bit of fun.

It's where imagination meets practicality, resulting in better communication, awesome products, inviting spaces and memorable experiences that really improve our lives and meet what people need.

 02. The many faces of design: Understanding its variety

One reason individuals from areas outside of design may fall into this misunderstanding is the common use of the term 'Design' across distinct fields.

It's fascinating how assumptions can shape our perceptions. For instance, many individuals often group all 'design' professions into one category, as if graphic design, motion design, product design, jewellery design and UX design are one and the same. But that couldn't be further from the truth! They are totally different and each has its own special focus and charm.

 03. Different design disciplines, their usage and area of study

Let’s dive into some of these different design disciplines, each one has something unique to offer. 

 3. 1.  Product Design

Focus:  Product design is all about dreaming up, crafting, and fine-tuning products that really help users or cater to specific demands in the market. The magic of great product design comes from truly understanding the end-user, the person who will ultimately use the product. 

Product designers aim to tackle real-life challenges for actual people, tapping into empathy and a deep understanding of what their potential customers think, how they behave, what frustrates them and what they truly need and want.

Area of study: Includes user research, prototyping, ergonomics, materials science and design thinking.

Usage: Applied in consumer goods, industrial equipment, furniture and technology products like smartphones and wearables.

StellaGuard: Smart baby care camera(left)/ Batty: Speaker capable of noise reduction and noise measurement(right)

3. 2. Fashion Design

Focus: Fashion design involves creating clothing, accessories, and footwear that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Area of study: Includes garment construction, textile science, fashion illustration, trend forecasting and marketing.

Usage: Applied in haute couture, ready-to-wear collections, retail fashion and costume design for entertainment.

Paris Texas shoe(left) / Schiaparelli Spring 2025 Couture(right)

3. 3. Jewellery Design

Focus: Jewellery design is the art of creating wearable items like rings, necklaces and bracelets using various metals and other materials.

Area of study: Focuses on materials (e.g., metals, gemstones), design techniques, CAD tools and craftsmanship.

Usage: Used in luxury goods, fashion accessories, bespoke designs and mass-market jewellery production.

Harmonique Jewellery, technical drawing of a ring) / 2. By Christophe Lainé(right)

3. 4. Motion Design

Focus: Motion design focuses on creating visually dynamic and engaging animations, combining movement and design elements to convey messages or enhance user experiences.

Area of study: Covers principles of animation, storytelling, typography in motion, visual effects, user interface animations, and tools like After Effects and Cinema 4D.

Usage: Widely utilized in video production, advertising, branding, user interfaces, explainer videos, and entertainment mediums such as films and games.

A motion graphics advertisement for the Samsung CXL memory expander.

3. 5. Graphic Design

Focus: Graphic design is all about visually communicating ideas and messages through elements like typography, imagery, colour, and layout. It's a creative way to express concepts and engage audiences.

Area of study: This field encompasses key principles of design, typography, colour theory, colour modes, branding, digital tools (such as Adobe Creative Suite), skills such as retouching and the list goes on. You’ll gain a deep understanding of how to craft effective visuals that resonate with viewers.

Usage: Graphic design is everywhere! It is used in various areas, including advertising, branding, web design, packaging, social media content and print materials like brochures and posters. 

These are some of the most popular design disciplines out there. However, many more can be explored. All these disciplines share certain principles, but their purposes and applications differ from one another.

04. The role graphic design plays in everyday life

Have you ever stopped to think about how graphic design influences your daily life? It’s all around us, shaping our experiences in ways we often don’t realise!

Imagine driving to work and passing vibrant billboards that catch your eye. They’re not just there by chance; there’s a talented graphic design team behind each one, carefully crafting visuals that convey messages instantly.

The same goes for the signboards in bustling stores and the colourful packaging of everything from your favourite ice cream to the shampoo bottle you grab with your groceries. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to be both appealing and informative.

Graphic designers shape how we see the world around us. Think about it: those cool press ads, movie posters that catch your eye, the book covers that pull you into a story, and a CD album cover that captures an artist's vibe – all created with a dash of creativity and smart thinking. Every time you scroll through your feed and stop at a post, there’s a designer behind it, weaving together stories, building brands, and making a real impact. Whether they’re giving a brand its personality, sparking engagement, or stirring up emotions, graphic design is truly the magic behind every unforgettable visual experience.

Another important area is branding, which is the product of deep thought and strategy. A brand takes shape through research, understanding its audience, and crafting well-defined guidelines—ensuring a lasting, memorable impression in the minds of viewers. While branding is not limited to visual aspect of it, it's one of main component of visual communication between the target audience and the product/service. 

A few note-worthy projects

Bnavan branding:  Another interesting branding project. In 2021/22, Agency Black Mark was awarded to the agency Backbone Branding for their incredible work for Bnavan brand identity and packaging design. 

More details

After life campaign:  Ceylon Today, Sri Lanka’s national English daily, launched the ‘Afterlife’ campaign to promote recycling, focusing on the often-overlooked tiny pieces of paper known as "Chads," created when papers are punched. The campaign conveys the message that "even a tiny piece has an afterlife." 

Three advertisements featured devil masks made from Chads, symbolizing the importance of recycling all paper sizes. Furthermore, every advertisement was punched in newspapers nationwide, with the leftover paper sent for recycling. This initiative emphasizes the commitment to ensuring no paper goes unrecycled and helps combat pollution.

Production House : 24 Frames (Pvt) Ltd

Graphic Designers do exist!

Finally, graphic designers do exist and proof of their existence is all around you.

So, the next time you're out and about, take a moment to appreciate the work that goes into the designs surrounding you. They’re more than just pretty pictures; they’re an essential part of how we navigate our daily experiences.