I was trying to ask
my four year old son if he knows the route from his school to home in case of an
emergency. Whether you would go straight, take a left turn or right turn? To my
surprise he just took a piece of paper and pencil and drew the map to explain
me the route. Whoa! I was taken aback by underestimating the power of visuals
and children off course. My four year old boy had understood that it would be
easier to explain using a visual than using only words, after all a picture is
worth thousand words!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ecnpMbPi9I
This video helps us to understand some facts about how visual communication is
easier and faster.
When we are talking
about different branches of communication design, visuals play an important
role in it. Designers contributing in creation of visual part of the
communication design are Graphic Designers. They combine text, symbols, images
to create visual representation of ideas and messages.
So where do we see
graphic design application in our day to day life? Everything that is printed
or digital content created using text and or images is graphic design. We start
our day by seeing graphics on a tooth paste tube, other packages, our coffee
mug, newspaper and then it goes on with graphics on books, magazines,
brochures, control panels of various appliances, signage and way finding
systems on roads and in public spaces, maps on navigation system, hoardings on
roadside, logos of different brands, web and mobile applications, prints on
T-shirts and other garments, greeting cards, film posters and titles and many
more.
Let’s look at the
role of graphic designer. Though it appears to be a simple task it actually is
not. In case of publication i.e. print newspaper, magazine, book etc layout of
each page is designed. Layout is arrangement of all the content in the page,
where would the text be, which font, what size, where would the image be
placed. In case of signage system designer’s skill lies in giving appropriate
directions without creating any confusion. Designer needs to understand
different fonts. The font which is suitable for printed text in a magazine may
not be suitable for signage because of its size and the distance from where the
viewer will be reading it. The media on which the reader will read the text
also matters. Readability of a font may be good for printed application but not
good for a digital application. Non designer may think that it’s just writing
some text, what’s there to design in it? But what I discussed above about the
choice of font is just a tiny part of the whole graphic design process. It
requires in depth knowledge of visual design elements and principles, it’s
application through creative thinking process for better and effective design
solution that communicates the message.
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Image source: http://leafdesign.in/work/mumbaiairportgvk/
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Image source: http://leafdesign.in/work/mumbaiairportgvk/
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The challenge in
logo design is to make it simple yet striking so that people can easily
associate it with the brand value. Simpler the symbol easier it is to recognise or recollect. Similar challenge lies in icon design especially when it is used
without text. Such icons are used internationally as it could communicate the
message without any language barrier. Few examples of such symbols are seen in
public spaces to guide people to washrooms, drinking water, food zone etc.
Another example of icons is during sporting events like Olympic Games where
each sport is graphically indicated.
Graphic design not
only communicates the message it also creates interest in the communicating
process. We all know importance of pictures in a story book. Having
illustrations in the story books is a great boon to introduce reading habit in
children in early ages. Illustrators are also graphic designers.
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| Image source:https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fa/d2/ af/fad2af659c09810a1e87859fb421334d --bollywood-posters-watches-online.jpg |
How interesting are
the film posters! They not only communicate the theme but arouse curiosity in the
viewer. Capturing the essence of a motion story in a still image is really a demanding job.
Visualising a
fictional scene and characters and further sketching it down, making it look
real is another fascinating extension of a graphic design work. It’s concept
art.
Some useful links
Note:
The writer has no
rights on the images used in this article.
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