Graphic design is an innovative and creative profession that has gained particular popularity in recent years. The term “graphic design” was first used by William Addison Duiggins in 1922, in an article for the American daily newspaper the Boston Evening Transcript. There he described his role in creating images for various books. With the boom of internet technology, the need to use all sorts of visuals is becoming more and more prevalent. Websites, mobile apps, marketing content, advertisements, making company logos – the list is endless. A nice and thematic image, backed with an adequate corporate vision sells and everyone who works in marketing and sales knows it. Images attract attention like a magnet and are easy to remember. Visuals are the first chance to win over potential customers, and a real opportunity to hold their attention for as long as possible (something that is becoming increasingly difficult, in a world where we are constantly exposed to vast amounts of free information).
That’s why nowadays there is a certain hype related the work of graphic designers. The industry is growing faster than ever before. The need for more graphic designers is an objective reason for the significant growth in the number of people who are devoting their time and labor to this artistic profession.
What are the characteristics of the profession “graphic designer”?
- A graphic designer perceives the vision of his client, realizing it in the form of visualization
- A graphic designer uses the concept of line, space, color, look and shape to create something the mind can only imagine
- A graphic designer uses illustrations and text to create visual compositions, but in most cases they also solve real business problems
- People use the capabilities of a graphic designer to translate a mental idea into the real world.
- A graphic designer can help you take an idea or concept and present it to people in an appealing way to achieve the result you need.
Graphic designers usually become involved in the following industries:
- Advertising
- Product design
- User experience or experience with the product, business or service
- User interface or the user’s visual experience of the product, business or service
- Video games
- Multimedia art and animation
- Web design
- Mobile app design
- Exhibition design
How to become a graphic designer?
One of the great things about graphic design is that you don’t necessarily have to go to university to become a great graphic designer. Sure, a degree in graphic design from university will give you a certain confidence and competitive edge, but ultimately it’s all in your hands, effort, creativity. The most important factor remains having motivation and not giving up easily under the pressure of difficulties that arise.
With the development of some amazing design tools that make the design process so much easier, as well as the thousands of graphic design blogs and courses available today via the internet, now is probably the best time you’ve ever had to start a career in graphic design.
It’s not easy to go all the way, but with hard work, dedication and a passion for design, you can get there. If you want to work in graphic design, you first need to learn some of the basics. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s easy to pursue a career in graphic design. It’s even harder to master and perfect it. To become a recognizable and good graphic designer will probably take years of hard work. Това обаче не е причина да се отказвате. Keep reading!
Famous graphic designers of the 20th century
Graphic design as a profession began to gain popularity in the 20th century. It was then that the first “stars” in the industry appeared. We couldn’t create a list of the most famous and popular graphic designers without paying tribute to some of the doyens of graphic design!
The most popular graphic designers of the 20th century who inspire the “current crop” of designers are:
Saul Bass
Saul Bass is perhaps the most accomplished graphic designer in history. Working in the middle of the 20th century, when graphic design was not yet considered a serious profession, he is one of the most sought-after specialists in the industry, thanks to his iconic and minimalist designs. Called by his contemporaries “the man who changed graphic design”. Bass designed some of the most iconic corporate logos in the US, including the Bell System logo in 1969, as well as the AT&T logo in 1983. He also created the 1968 Enterprise Airlines logo and the United Airlines in 1974, considered one of the most successful logos at the time.
Cipe Pineles
Cipe Pineles, born in Austria, is a graphic designer and art director who has had an impressive career in New York, working for magazines such as Seventeen, Charm, Glamour, House & Garden, Vanity Fair and Vogue. She is known for being the first female art director of many major magazines. She is recognized as the first person to bring fine art into the mainstream and to have it disseminated in a number of media.
Milton Glaser
An outstanding professional who created iconic logos such as the legendary Bob Dylan poster from 1966. and Eye Heart New York
Paul Rand
Paul Rand is one of the genius graphic designers of the 20th century. He worked during the Modernist period and created numerous logos, posters and built corporate identities for some of the largest companies such as IBM, AIGA, NeXT Computers and many others.
Along with names like Alan Fletcher, Massimo Vignelli, they are all just a small part of the 20th century graphic designers who contributed their innovation and ideas to make graphic design so significant and valuable today.
Graphic design in 2019 and beyond
I’ve compiled a list of some of the world’s most famous graphic designers so you can follow them on social media and even get inspiration for your next design from them. There are of course many graphic designers on Instagram, Twitter and every other social network. In this article I have selected, especially for you dear readers, the best of the best!
Everyone on this list of popular graphic designers brings their own unique approach to graphic design , and their work and designs will amaze you!
Jessica Walsh
Part of the design agency Sagmeister and Walsh in New York, Jessica is a designer whose clients include names like Jay-Z and Levis. A number of celebrities are proud to be associated with her designs. Her style is retro and the colors she uses are bright and vibrant. Her inspiration is the 1950s.
https://www.instagram.com/jessicavwalsh/
Jason Santa Maria
To list all the influential creations this talented designer has created would take the whole day. His writings, articles and an authored book can be found on the internet for free. His deep love for typography and traditional print elements are clearly illustrated in his social media posts.
Although he is not active on Instagram, a look at his Twitter account will help you get into the mind of this brilliant graphic designer.
https://twitter.com/jasonsantamaria
Stephen Harrington
Take a look at Steven’s Instagram posts and you’ll understand why he’s hailed as “the leader of contemporary California psychedelic pop aesthetics.” His style of design incorporates the distortion of the viewer’s point of view and creates incredible opportunities for perception, whether the designs are done on a shoe or a traditional canvas.
https://www.instagram.com/s_harrington/
David Schwen
David’s striking designs often boil down to a combination of attractive animation with everyday photography. His humour is evident in almost every design. If you want to draw inspiration from a famous graphic designer who isn’t afraid to use bright colors, David is your man.
https://www.instagram.com/dschwen/
Lauren Hom
Considered one of the most influential magazine graphic designers – Creative Bloom today, Lauryn Hom creates designs that make companies, businesses and corporations like Starbucks, Google and TIME magazine compete for her intricate typography and design in their marketing campaigns.
https://www.instagram.com/homsweethom/
