How to Communicate Effectively as a Graphic Designer

Graphic design can be a challenging, yet rewarding career. The two main purposes of a graphic designer's job are to sell a product or services and to promote an event. This can be done through various marketing products, such as business cards, posters, advertisements, vehicle signs, product packaging designs, brochures, publicity folders and more. While there are many different types of graphic designers, there are a few key things all designers must remember to communicate effectively. These are a few tips I have learned to consistently follow throughout my 14 years experience as a graphic designer.

Things You'll Need

• Graphic design software

Instructions

1. 

   Be creative. A successful graphic designer is not afraid to think outside of the box and come up with a creative, eye-catching way to design a page. The main objective of a graphic designer's piece is that it has to visually catch the reader's or potential customer's attention. This can be done through any number of ways, such as creative use of typography (which is shown in the envelope design). The envelope is for a real estate company at the beach, so I chose to curve the address to make it look like a wave, with seagulls flying around it.

2. 

   Be informative. In addition to the visual appeal of a design, a graphic designer is also responsible in making sure the message of the event, product or service is brought across in the design effectively. The essential information has to be in the design. This can include the business name, the company's logo, the company's address, a contact phone number or e-mail, bio information, testimonials, product features, the date of an event, the place of an event, the time of an event and more.

3. 

   Create an identity and style for the business or event. A graphic designer must discuss with his clients the type of mood or style of graphics they desire for their finished product. The packaging design for a kid's product would probably be more comical and colorful, while the design for a poster for a big black-tie charity event may be more formal and serious. The design shown here is an invitation I created for a Hispanic celebration.

4. 

   Balance the use of color in a design. It is important for a graphic designer to use color as a part of the overall design. It is generally not a good idea to use an explosion of many different colors on a page, because it makes it hard for the viewer to focus on any one element. Use color to enhance the design and don't be afraid to leave white space on the page or just use one or two colors. It can be a very effective technique. Shown here is the front of a publicity folder I designed with a red and black color scheme.

5. 

   Use images creatively. A design is more effective if images and elements placed on the page are not all the same size. Make one image the largest on the page so viewers focus there first. Place the other images on the page in different sizes to enhance the overall visual quality of the page. Don't be afraid to cut out the backgrounds of people or objects to create visual interest as well. Shown here is my newspaper page design for an article on the former country group Lonestar.

6. 

   Be simple, yet memorable. A good design doesn't have to have a lot of interacting elements. When creating a logo for a company, it is important to remember that simplicity is more memorable. The yellow "M" for McDonald's is a great example of a simple, yet effective logo. If people remember a graphic designer's logo or have an inclination to pick up a brochure or newspaper article and read them because the designs catch their interest, a graphic designer is successful in his effort to communicate effectively.