If you take the time to notice, you’ll discover that graphic design is all around us. You’ll find the result of graphic design in tangible items as well as digitally, from the packaging of your favorite snacks and the logo on your shoes and clothing to the website you visit and the ads you see while scrolling through social media. In other words, graphic designers produce a lot of projects, whether that’s in print or digital format. 

While graphic designers can do various projects in different media, all their outputs share the same set of goals. Basically, graphic design projects all communicate ideas that aim to inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They create the iconic look of the most well-known brands, create advertisements that make us want to buy, and distill information in an easy to understand and engaging manner. 

These projects can be broadly categorized into two: print media and digital media. Below are some of the most common examples. 

Graphic Design Print Media Outputs

Although we are living in the digital age, traditional print media still has a foothold on how we consume information. Physical media, such as newspapers and magazines, remain available for those of us who prefer the tactile experience of holding a physical item. 

Publishing

• Newspapers, such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and your local newspaper. These daily or weekly publications feature headlines and articles, images, and advertisements. Graphic designers lay out these elements in a way that is easy to read and navigate.
• Magazines, such as National Geographic, Better Homes and Gardens, and Reader’s Digest, are published less frequently than newspapers. So, graphic designers have more time to create visually appealing designs featuring a distinctive layout and high-quality images. Complementing well-crafted articles, these graphic elements also engage readers with their striking storytelling without words.  
• Books, either fiction or non-fiction, come as a set of bound pages with an eye-catching cover. It doesn’t matter if it’s a textbook, novel, or cookbook, graphic designers do their best to begin telling the story in their cover design. 

Marketing & Advertising

• Business cards, which professionals often use to network or build connections, typically feature a clean, polished layout. This minimal yet professional design is intentional so that new connections can retrieve your name and contact info clearly and easily while still leaving a memorable first impression.   
• Brochures and pamphlets feature a foldable design to provide a structured or organized way to present information. Along with a good combination of effective text and captivating images, this progressive revelation of the contents is a simple but interactive way to keep the audience engaged. 
• Catalogs typically showcase an inventory of new products or seasonal offerings. Their design is often clean and organized, with clear visuals and product info. Graphic designers prioritize function when they create catalogs so that consumers can quickly locate and understand the offerings. 
• Restaurant menus often feature design that aligns with the business’ branding. Typically, they are visually appealing but informative, with a good mix of high-quality images, concise descriptions, and an organized layout. 

Entertainment

• Posters, entice people to watch movies and TV shows, go see live music shows and performances, or buy video games. Thanks to the work of graphic designers, these printed materials draw audiences into the story. These large printed sheets are also used to advertise products and brands in busy public spaces, such as subways. Their bold graphics and vibrant colors catch people’s attention, and their concise messaging ensures they convey information quickly and effectively. 

Graphic Design Digital Media Outputs

While some may consider print media as barely holding on, digital media, on the other hand, is the dominant way that people get their information today. So, graphic design is an essential ingredient in the various digital content that we consume every day. Below are some of the most popular ones. 

Educational Content

• Ebooks are books in digital form that can be read through a personal device, such as a phone, laptop, or ebook reader. Graphic designers are responsible for their layout, fonts, and other visuals that create a more enjoyable reading experience.  
• Websites and blogs are the digital equivalent of traditional publications. Graphic design comes into play in how these websites and their pages are displayed, including their logos and branding visuals.
• Webinars and elearning courses contain training or other educational content for personal or professional development. They can be done live or they can be recorded for convenience. To keep learners engaged, graphic designers ensure that the content and design are easy to understand and easy to scan, while images or graphics are clear and high quality. In addition, they also pay attention to typography, color, and white space. 

Marketing & Advertising

• Online digital advertisements are often displayed on websites and social media or pop up when you watch videos on YouTube. It is a graphic designer’s job to make these ads eye-catching and engaging, so that consumers become aware of a new business or get encouraged to purchase a product or service. 
• Email newsletters are similar to traditional print newsletters in the sense that they engage a specific set of audience through regular updates. These updates can include news or other info related to a topic or organization, and may or may not include a push for new products and sales. Graphic designers apply on-brand visuals, establish a visual hierarchy, ensure design responsiveness, and compatibility across different devices, all while keeping the design simple and easy to read. 

Entertainment

• Motion graphics are prevalent in video games, trailers, promotional videos or ads, product demos, and other forms of interactive media. The designs come to life through the use of 2D and 3D animation and visual effects. Graphic designers animate visual elements with the goal of grabbing the viewer’s attention.

Video streaming and sharing are popular past times for many people. While a compelling story is important, the backgrounds, props, colors, and characters also play key roles in making the video more engaging. Graphic designers ensure that the visual elements used in the video not only supports the story but also captivates the audience. They know how to work with contrast, proportion, balance, emphasis, repetition, and whitespace so audiences stay hooked until the end.