Graphic design is a diverse, creative field that uses visuals to communicate ideas and solve problems. Since it tackles a wide variety of challenges, graphic design can be loosely divided into eight different, but often overlapping fields. At Berkeley College, you'll be exposed to each of these fields as you build the skills to become a successful and impactful designer.
Designers that specialize in visual identity graphic design collaborate with brand stakeholders to create assets like logos, typography, color palettes and image libraries that represent a brand’s personality. In addition to the standard business cards and corporate stationary, designers often develop a set of visual brand guidelines (style guides) that describe best practices and provide examples of visual branding applied across various media. These guidelines help to ensure brand consistency throughout future applications.
Visual identity design is one of the most common types of design. Visual identity graphic designers must possess a general knowledge of all types of graphic design in order to create design elements that are suitable across all visual media. They also need excellent communication, conceptual and creative skills, and a passion for researching industries, organizations, trends and competitors.
Companies depend on successful marketing efforts to tap into their target audience’s decision-making process. Great marketing engages people based on the wants, needs, awareness and satisfaction they have about a product, service or brand. Since people will always find visual content more engaging, graphic design helps organizations promote and communicate more effectively.
Marketing designers work with company owners, directors, managers or marketing professionals to create assets for marketing strategies. They might work alone or as part of an in-house or creative team. Designers can specialize in a specific type of media (vehicle wraps or magazine ads, for example) or create a broad assortment of collateral for print, digital, and beyond. While traditionally print-centered, this type of design has grown to include more digital assets, especially for use in content marketing and digital advertising.
1. Web Design
In our modern world, web design is quickly becoming one of the most valuable skills for creative professionals. This field of graphic design blends technology and the traditional principles of composition and form to create digital media. At Berkeley College, you'll have access to the latest technology used by experts as you learn the practical skills of this important field.2. UI and Interactive Design
Like web design, UI (user interface) and interactive design have become increasingly valuable skills. This field focuses on bridging the gap between complex computing and the user experience through visually pleasing forms and layouts.3. Advertising and Marketing Design
Most every organization in the world relies on visual advertising and marketing, whether it's used to form an internal brand identity or attract customers. At Berkeley College, you'll learn to develop successful ad designs while gaining the creative problem-solving skills that will benefit you throughout your career.4. Motion Graphics and Animation
By studying motion graphics, you'll focus on animating visual media. This includes everything from typography to imagery, and everything in between. As a relatively new field in graphic design, motion graphics and animation present exciting opportunities to balance technical and creative skills.5. Packaging Design
Product packaging is everywhere, from the food we eat to the devices we buy. A career in packaging design lets you employ the creativity and branding strategies of ad design, along with the technical aspects of manufacturing, 3D mockups, and printing.6. Game Design
Like UI and motion graphics, game design works at the forefront of technology and creativity. Studying game design at Berkeley College gives you the opportunity to work one-on-one with experts as you navigate complex tech and exciting creative endeavors.7. Illustration
Drawing is the foundation of most artistic practices, especially illustration. As a graphic illustrator, you'll have the chance to create visual identities, cover art and more, all while using the fundamental principles of form, color, and composition.8. Publication and Typographic Design
In this field, designers focus on the development, organization, and management of visual media that is often mass-produced. This includes books, magazines and more. By developing skills in printing, editorial layout design coordination and typesetting communication, publication and typographic designers create cohesive visual media.Designers that specialize in visual identity graphic design collaborate with brand stakeholders to create assets like logos, typography, color palettes and image libraries that represent a brand’s personality. In addition to the standard business cards and corporate stationary, designers often develop a set of visual brand guidelines (style guides) that describe best practices and provide examples of visual branding applied across various media. These guidelines help to ensure brand consistency throughout future applications.
Visual identity design is one of the most common types of design. Visual identity graphic designers must possess a general knowledge of all types of graphic design in order to create design elements that are suitable across all visual media. They also need excellent communication, conceptual and creative skills, and a passion for researching industries, organizations, trends and competitors.
9. Marketing & advertising graphic design
When most people think of graphic design, they think of designs created for marketing and advertising.Companies depend on successful marketing efforts to tap into their target audience’s decision-making process. Great marketing engages people based on the wants, needs, awareness and satisfaction they have about a product, service or brand. Since people will always find visual content more engaging, graphic design helps organizations promote and communicate more effectively.
Marketing designers work with company owners, directors, managers or marketing professionals to create assets for marketing strategies. They might work alone or as part of an in-house or creative team. Designers can specialize in a specific type of media (vehicle wraps or magazine ads, for example) or create a broad assortment of collateral for print, digital, and beyond. While traditionally print-centered, this type of design has grown to include more digital assets, especially for use in content marketing and digital advertising.
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