Evolution of Graphic Design In The Age of The Digital Device

From caves to computers

Once upon a time, our ancestors drew images on the walls of the caves. The oldest story they’ve ever told is still on the cave walls. When archaeologists unearthed some drawings of the paleolithic age, the image of animals loomed larger than other stick figure elements.

Their designs had a story of their own. For example, the stickman with an archer shows that ancestors were fighters at heart. Cut short to the present age; nothing has changed about the design narratives. Through graphic designs, you’ve made the story worth telling. The only difference between ancestors and you is that you’ve morphed yourself into the digital dynasty.

From planning your idea and promoting it, you’ve come a long way. Whether it’s a brochure, flyer, t-shirt, book cover, or any other collaterals, graphic design is ever-present. As a swarm of design bees, business relies on you to build their brand image.

Why is graphic design important to business?

Every business wants to be the best version of itself. You can also stand out with a marketing strategy that includes graphic design. Here’s why your business needs it –

• To establish the right connections
• To build customers loyalty
• To communicate the message
• To develop brand identity
• To increase sales
• Stay rooted in your values in an ever-changing environment
• Add personality to your design
• Choose customer-centered design
• Add compelling stories
• Pique customer’s curiosity

To establish the right connections

In digital marketing, you reach the target audience with the right design. For example, if your website design is worth the watch, people will engage with you for a long time. Your designs help you gain attention.

To build customer loyalty

Designing is not a one-time watch. It’s an easy way to win your audience’s heart. Be consistent with your designs to keep your brand image alive.

To communicate the message

Whether it’s about your core values or product/service, your message matters to your audience. There’s no better way than this for forming perceptions.

To develop a brand identity

Your brand identity is more than just a logo. Brand image is about your brand’s visible elements such as color, typography, and a brand logo. Use these elements to distinguish yourself. In simple terms: brand identity is how you present to your potential customers/clients. Brand identity consists of various factors, including:

• Likable logo
• Correct color palette
• Tangible Typefaces
• Crystal clear composition
• Get going guide
• Expressive elements
• Consistent content and creatives
• Stand out social media posts

To increase sales

With a well-designed graphic not only gain visibility but also helps in conversions. More the buyers, the more the flow of revenue. Your design has the power to skyrocket your product/service.

Building your brand image or product promotion is not rocket science. Also, it’s not something you can create overnight. See the illustration of the brand Apple. Since their inception, they took 43 years to experience radical changes. Their strategy is straight and simple. Whether it’s the shape, campaign, or color of the logo, they’ve always dealt with emotions. Obnoxious and poorly arranged designs can turn the mood down. Here are ways you can engage with your audience:

Stay rooted in your values in an ever-changing environment

Market trends keep changing. Don’t get drifted away and lose your true self. A strong brand is the one that stands the test of time. First and foremost: focus on what you can’t comprise. Things that are remaining are negotiable.

Add personality to your design

Your prospects are human. Don’t sound like a robot with your content. The audience responds to what resonates with them. The brand brimming with personality has a way of getting close to the audience.

Choose customer-centered design

With competition soaring high, you need a design that caters to the needs of your target audience. A product/service is worth the trash if it’s visually not appealing. Hence, you have to scan the market and set designs based on customer preferences.

Graphic designs effectively communicate about your brand to customers. They are multi-purpose, i.e. well-designed graphics are multi-purpose, i.e. it generates leads, engages customers, and creates a new customer base.

Add compelling stories

Because of technological advancement, graphic designs are at new heights. Whether it’s user engagement or product launch, your stories matter, you can also use brand stories or customer stories to build customer relationships.

Pique customer’s curiosity

Curiosity reels you to explore. For example, on Instagram, people share preliminary designs in carousel form for the viewers to swipe. They also use grids or frames instead of using all images at the same time. You can also evoke audience by the following elements:

• Popping colors
• Lines and shapes
• Frisky marketing content
• Design simplicity
• White space
• Lighting
• Balance/Harmony
• Composition
• Contrast
• Typography

All the points mentioned above are made possible in a digital-driven age. You don’t have to go to college to learn graphic design physically. There’s a whole new world of DIY tutorials and videos on the internet to hone your skills. All you need is a supporting system and speedy internet to start designing. Check out 20 top modern graphic designers to follow on Dribbble.

Common tools for graphic design

Technology has also allowed you to use popular tools and software. Here is some commonly used tool in the market:

Raster graphic tools

• Affinity Photo: It’s easy-to-use professional editing software. You don’t have to doubt its quality. There are features like fettling and fine-tuning images, depth, and color in raw files.
• Photoshop: It’s widely acclaimed software for designing. The editing process is on layers. With Photoshop, you can touch the creative aspects of your design. It combines images, applies effects, adds text, or edits photos to communicate visually.
• Procreate: If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, this is for you. Procreate is useful for both graphics and illustrations.
• Pixlr: Pixlr is a free-to-use online tool for editing. It stands on par with desktop apps. Though it’s under trial and testing, its composition, and fine-tuning are worth it.

Vector graphic tools

• Affinity Designer: It’s a popular vector graphics editor known for creating illustrations, icons, branding, UI designs, typography, web graphics, etc. Use zooming features to ensure accuracy. The app’s greatest strength is in it’s live and responsive nature.
• Illustrator: It belongs to the Adobe family. There are tools, filters, and effects. Illustrator is used widely for websites, video games, logos. You can produce a pixel-perfect design using Illustrator.
• Vectr: Vectr is a free and intuitive tool. It’s perfect for those who don’t care about advanced features. Whether you’re using an app or website, you can make editing live.
• Vectornator: An ideal vector graphics tool for iOS and iPad. You can easily drag and drop the elements. It also offers advanced features such as auto-trace, unlimited layers, color profiles, live blend modes, and alignment tools.

Technology is moving forward at sonic speed. You being a designer have to catch up with the pace at which things are progressing. Anything can happen in the blink of an eye. The same goes for your designs. To say tools upgrade annually, would deny the fact that technology is changing rapidly.

As a graphic designer, you have evolved with time. Push yourself to pursue your potential to the fullest. It’s time to get started with All Time Design!