The Definition of Graphic Design

Graphic design is the effective visual communication of an idea or concept. Most people have a vague idea of what a graphic designer does. Creating logos for businesses? Fixing up images in Photoshop? Making magazine ads? Yes—designers do these things—but they’re only elements of a much bigger picture.

Graphic design is all around you

Look around. Design is everywhere—from your morning cereal box to a music festival poster to the process of ordering an Uber. Merging creativity with strategy, communication with brand savvy and aesthetic with logic, design is just about everywhere you look—and it matters. There are endless opportunities for graphic designers to make their mark.

Graphic design is about communication

Good communication skills are an essential part of the designer’s toolkit. Making pretty pictures is nice, but the most important part of the graphic design process happens before you even put pen to paper. Designers must interpret client needs. At Shillington Education’s Graphic Design Bootcamp, we teach how to listen, research, develop concepts and find the balance between aesthetics and function.

Graphic design is all about the basics

All design is founded in the five graphic design principles: balance for stability and structure, hierarchy to create organization and direction, contrast to generate impact and highlight important areas, repetition to unify and strengthen and alignment to create a sharper, clearer outcome.

Want to learn more about the graphic design fundamentals and how we teach them?

Our Course & Approach

• Branding & Visual Identity
• Advertising & Marketing Design
• Digital Design
• Product Design
• Packaging Design
• Editorial & Publishing
• Lettering & Typeface Design
• Environmental Design
• Set Prop Design

• Brand Recognition
  • Graphic design enables customers and consumers to immediately recognise your brand and can make you stand out from the crowd. 
• Sales Growth
  • Successful graphic design can help drive sales. If your packaging stands out on the shelf or your website is user friendly, people are more likely to make a purchase. 
• Helps Clarity
  • Successful graphic design can make everything clearer—it can help show what you do as a business, help people find things easier and more.

The design industry is exciting, fast-paced and constantly evolving. Every day is different! At Shillington, we use the all-inclusive term “Graphic Designer”, but our graduates also become Visual Designers, UX/UI Designers, Visual Communicators, Creative Directors, Finished Artists and the list goes on and on. Where could you work?

• Freelance and work for yourself like Manon Prost
• In a boutique design studio like Joseph Lebus at PORTO ROCHA
• UX/UI design like Rolake Ojo at Asante Media
• Start your own design studio like Maria Vazquez at Maria Marie Studio
• Become an art director like Amee Wilson at ICHI Worldwide
• Combine your passions as a graphic design artist like Ximena Jimenez at Polemical Zine
• Design in-house at a big company like Melissa McAuliffe at The Walt Disney Company

Want to learn more? Chat with a Shillington Course Advisor!