Related Design Fields: Computers and Software

Computers and software[edit]
Designers disagree whether computers enhance the creative process. [19] Some designers argue that
computers allow them to explore multiple ideas quickly and in more detail than can be achieved by
hand-rendering or paste-up.[20] While other designers find the limitless choices from digital design can
lead to paralysis or endless iterations with no clear outcome.
Most designers use a hybrid process that combines traditional and computer-based technologies.
First, hand-rendered layouts are used to get approval to execute an idea, then the polished visual
product is produced on a computer.
Graphic designers are expected to be proficient in software programs for image-making, typography
and layout. Nearly all of the popular and "industry standard" software programs used by graphic
designers since the early 1990s are products of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Adobe
Photoshop (a raster-based program for photo editing) and Adobe Illustrator (a vector-based program
for drawing) are often used in the final stage. Some designers across the world
use CorelDraw. CorelDraw is a vector graphics editor software developed and marketed by Corel
Corporation. Open source software used to edit the vector graphis is Inkscape. Primary file format
used in Inkscape is Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). You can import or export the file in any other
vector format. Designers often use pre-designed raster images and vector graphics in their work
from online design databases. Raster images may be edited in Adobe Photoshop, logos and
illustrations in Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw, and the final product assembled in one of the major
page layout programs, such as Adobe InDesign, Serif PagePlus and QuarkXpress.
Powerful open-source programs (which are free) are also used by both professionals and casual
users for graphic design, these include Inkscape (for vector graphics), GIMP (for photo-editing and
image manipulation), Krita (for painting), and Scribus (for page layout).
Related design fields[edit]

Interface design[edit]
Main article: User interface design
Since the advent of personal computers, many graphic designers have become involved in interface
design, in an environment commonly referred to as a Graphical User Interface (GUI). This has
included web design and software design when end user-interactivity is a design consideration of the
layout or interface. Combining visual communication skills with an understanding of user interaction
and online branding, graphic designers often work with software developers and web developers to
create the look and feel of a web site or software application. An important aspect of interface design
is icon design.
User experience design[edit]

Main article: User experience design
User experience design (UX) is the study, analysis, and development of creating products that
provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. This involves the creation of the entire
process of acquiring and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability, and
function.
Experiential graphic design[edit]

Main article: Environmental Graphic Design
Experiential graphic design is the application of communication skills to the built environment. This
area of graphic design requires practitioners to understand physical installations that have to be
manufactured and withstand the same environmental conditions as buildings. As such, it is a cross-
disciplinary collaborative process involving designers, fabricators, city planners, architects,
manufacturers and construction teams.
Experiential graphic designers try to solve problems that people encounter while interacting with
buildings and space (also called environmental graphic design). Examples of practice areas for
environmental graphic designers are wayfinding, placemaking, branded environments, exhibitions
and museum displays, public installations and digital environments.
Occupations[edit]
Main article: Graphic design occupations
Graphic design career paths cover all parts of the creative spectrum and often overlap. Workers
perform specialized tasks, such as design services, publishing, advertising and public relations. As
of 2017, median pay was $48,700 per year.[21] The main job titles within the industry are often country
specific. They can include graphic designer, art director, creative director, animator and entry
level production artist. Depending on the industry served, the responsibilities may have different
titles such as "DTP Associate" or "Graphic Artist". The responsibilities may involve specialized skills
such as illustration, photography, animation or interactive design.
Employment in design of online projects was expected to increase by 35% by 2026, while
employment in traditional media, such as newspaper and book design, expect to go down by 22%.
Graphic designers will be expected to constantly learn new techniques, programs, and methods. [22]
Graphic designers can work within companies devoted specifically to the industry, such as design
consultancies or branding agencies, others may work within publishing, marketing or other
communications companies. Especially since the introduction of personal computers, many graphic
designers work as in-house designers in non-design oriented organizations. Graphic designers may
also work freelance, working on their own terms, prices, ideas, etc.
A graphic designer typically reports to the art director, creative director or senior media creative. As
a designer becomes more senior, they spend less time designing and more time leading and
directing other designers on broader creative activities, such as brand development and corporate
identity development. They are often expected to interact more directly with clients, for example
taking and interpreting briefs.
Crowdsourcing in graphic design[edit]

Main article: Crowdsourcing creative work
Jeff Howe of Wired Magazine first used the term "crowdsourcing" in his 2006 article, "The Rise of
Crowdsourcing."[23][24] It spans such creative domains as graphic design, architecture, apparel design,
writing, illustration etc. Tasks may be assigned to individuals or a group and may be categorized as
convergent or divergent. An example of a divergent task is generating alternative designs for a
poster. An example of a convergent task is selecting one poster design. Companies, Startups, Small
businesses & Entrepreneurs have all benefitted a lot from design crowdsourcing since it helps them
source great graphic designs at a fraction of the budget they used to spend before. Getting a logo
design through crowdsourcing being one of the most common. Major companies who operate in the
design crowdsourcing space are generally referred to as d

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Related design fields[edit]

User experience design[edit]

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Crowdsourcing in graphic design[edit]

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