Have you ever walked down the street and saw someone wearing a t-shirt advertising a business or event? Perhaps you were driving and seen a vehicle decked out with advertisement of a beverage or product? These are all examples of how graphic design works with marketing. Even road signs are products of it.

It does not have to be advertising anything, simply informing the public of something. Graphic design is all around us and touches our lives each and every day. But do you know what it is and the history of it?

You probably take it for granted but our lives would not be the same if it were not for those dedicated workers producing and working within the graphic design industry. In this article you can find out what you need to know about graphic design and how it works in your daily life.

What methods are used?

Graphic design methods range from screen printing to web page layouts. It is in fine art, drawings and signs created by machines. There is virtually hundreds of different ways that graphic designs are created.

From the hand drawn sign advertising a Yard Sale to the buttons created at a screen print shop for the local politician. Anything that is informative is considered to be graphic design and so any method used to create this information is the method used to create it.

Can anything be considered graphic design?

Absolutely yes, anything can be considered to be graphic design as mentioned above. It could be the road signs showing the speed limit. It may be a famous book such as 'The Book of Kells' or it might be a t-shirt with the local gas station emblazoned upon the chest pocket.

It is informative and is a way of communicating using pictures, letters and numbers. It is both the process of creating and the end product. Wherever there is a need for visual imagery, graphic design is there to help convey the meaning and intent behind the words.

What are the tools of graphic designers?

The most important tool of the graphic designer is his or her mind. He or she must be able to visualize what it is that needs to be illustrated. After that it is a matter of finding the right computer program or template to make the graphics.

There are many software programs that can help design website layouts or can help design the graphics used in virtually anything. Since software has become available the graphic artist's job has progressed much smoother as they are able to get more done in a short period of time.

How is graphic design used in advertising?

The thing with advertising is that you are trying to sell something. You need some way, some medium in which to convey what it is you are selling. It may be business cards with your company's name printed on them. It might be signs advertising your business.

Logos on your company letterhead let readers know that you are serious about your business. All of it comes together so that people know your company.

How does graphic design work with websites?

It works with web design. The purpose is to communicate visual text and pictures with the ability to interact with the webpage. If it were just a static page with no way of conveying different information, the webpage would not be much of a success. Graphic designers work to convey the intent of the company and make it an easy experience for web site visitors.