Like many industries, graphic design is constantly changing. The way we create and consume content today is vastly different than it was 10 years ago, let alone 50 years ago. However, there are some core elements to the craft of graphic design that have remained constant throughout its history: typography, illustration, photography/videography and data visualization/infographics. These four elements are the foundation of any successful piece of visual communication—they’re what makes a good design great. So, as technology advances and our society changes more rapidly than ever before in human history—and as we move closer and closer to becoming cyborgs—what does this mean for how we interact with each other visually? What happens when machines start designing on their own?
Web Design
The future of web design will be driven by content and mobile.
It’s no surprise that the future of graphic design will be driven by a focus on content, but it may surprise you to learn that the same is true for web design as well. The trend towards responsive design has been felt across all industries, with websites becoming more interactive and engaging than ever before. Websites are no longer just static pages filled with information; they’re now dynamic experiences that allow users to interact with them in new ways–and this trend isn’t going away anytime soon!
Illustration
Illustration is a visual art form that uses the depiction of objects to create an image, in order to communicate a message or idea. It can also be used to help tell a story or to make something look more appealing.
Illustrations can be simple drawings, paintings, or photographs that are used as part of a graphic design project.
Typography
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type. It often involves using type to create a certain style or mood, as well as using different fonts–the style of letters and characters–to help communicate a message.
Typography can be used to enhance the meaning of words, making them easier to read and understand by setting them apart from other elements on a page or screen. Typographic choices can also help give your design a distinct look that communicates something about you or your company’s products or services.
In web design, typography plays an important role in helping users navigate through content by creating visual hierarchy between different sections on the page (e.g., headlines vs paragraphs). In print design, it’s essential for conveying information clearly; think about how much easier it would be if all road signs were written only in capital letters!
Photography
Photography is a growing field, and it’s not just a hobby. There are many career options for photographers, including:
- Commercial photography (using your camera to capture images that can be used in advertisements)
- Portrait photography (portraits of people)
- Food photography (foods and restaurants)
Infographics/Data Visualization
Infographics and data visualization are the most common ways to present data in a visually appealing, easy-to-read format. These methods of presenting information are extremely effective when it comes to showing patterns and trends in the information being presented.
Data visualization can be used to show the effectiveness of a product or service by comparing it against other competitors, or even just as a way to get your audience excited about what they’re seeing!
Graphic design is evolving and changing, but these are the core elements that will be a part of it in the future.
Graphic design is evolving and changing, but these are the core elements that will be a part of it in the future.
Graphic design has always been about communicating ideas visually. And while technology has changed what we can do with our mediums, this core concept remains unchanged. Graphic designers will always be tasked with taking complex concepts and turning them into something easy for the audience to understand through visual means; whether it be an infographic or an illustration, these two things are at the heart of good graphic design: communication and visual communication.
I’m excited to see where graphic design goes in the future. I think there are so many possibilities for designers to explore new mediums and styles that haven’t even been thought of yet!
