💡 KEY INSIGHTS
Have you ever been unsure about whether you need a graphic designer or a UX designer for your project?
You're not alone in this confusion. While both are important, they offer different skills. Our guide will clearly explain how these two types of design differ. We'll discuss the artistic aspect of graphic design and the focus on user experience in UX design, helping you understand which is better for your project.
Whether you're updating your website's look or developing a user-friendly app, this guide will help you decide who to hire. Let’s get started and find the best designer for your needs!
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Understanding Graphic Design
What comes to mind when you think of graphic designers?
What exactly encompasses graphic design? Is it just the striking graphics you see on websites?
Although that's part of what a graphic designer might do, the field encompasses many creations. This includes posters, infographics, book covers, product labels, logos, business cards, signs, website layouts, mobile apps, software interfaces, and more.
Jacob Smith, the founder of the illustration studio ProductViz, observes:
Graphic designers aim to convey ideas visually, shaping perceptions and informing viewers. Typically, working for clients or companies, they create designs with specific goals in mind. They are frequently regarded as artists, too.
The vast graphic design industry offers numerous opportunities for those interested in this profession.
So, what is graphic design?
According to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA®), graphic design is the art and practice of visually planning and projecting ideas and experiences with text and images. Simply put, graphic designers craft visuals to convey certain messages, ranging from simple logos to complex website layouts.
Graphic design bridges the gap between the producer and the consumer. It communicates the essence of a project, event, campaign, or product.
Graphic designers often combine commercial work with artistic expression.
What are the core elements of graphic design?
Graphic designers use specific visual elements in their work, alone or in combination, to create impactful visuals. These elements include:
Designers also adhere to design principles guidelines, ensuring visually appealing compositions. These principles include balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, proportion, and rhythm. Understanding and applying these principles intentionally is crucial for any successful graphic design project.
What roles do graphic designers play?
Graphic design offers a variety of opportunities, allowing individuals to work on diverse projects or specialize in a preferred area.
Here are some typical tasks for graphic designers:
- Website Design: Crafting user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing web pages, focusing on layout, color schemes, and navigation.
- User Experience (UX) Design: Enhancing the usability and appeal of websites and applications, combining technical and creative skills.
- User Interface (UI) Design: Concentrating on the visual aspects and layouts of applications, a field well-suited for graphic designers.
- Motion Graphics Design: Creating dynamic visual elements for various media, including special effects, videos, TV shows, and video games.
- Print Media Design: Designing for various print formats like billboards, pamphlets, textbooks, and menus.
Is the graphic design industry stable?
With new types of graphic design emerging due to technological advancements and AI's rise, one might question the stability of graphic design careers. However, there will be a 3% growth in graphic design employment from 2022 to 2032, with an average of 22,800 job openings annually.
Graphic design skills are not easily replaced. Visual media that resonates with audiences requires more than aesthetic appeal; it must communicate effectively. Many designers are optimistic about graphic design AI, seeing it as a tool to automate mundane tasks.
What tools do graphic designers use?
Graphic designers rely on various tools, from basic sketchbooks to sophisticated software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Beyond design elements, graphic designers also manage time, communicate with stakeholders, respond to feedback, and handle multiple projects.
Effective graphic design involves more than just an eye for color; it requires technical skills, an understanding of design principles, and proficiency in software. These skills are fundamental to a comprehensive graphic design education.
Exploring UX Design
UX design, or user experience design, involves developing products and experiences that enable users to accomplish their objectives most efficiently and effectively.
But what does user experience mean?
This concept spans tangible items and everyday activities, such as operating a coffee maker or purchasing a vehicle at a dealership, as well as digital interactions, like transferring funds through a banking app, online shopping, or playing games on a phone.
The design of these applications or websites, combined with your objectives and interactions with them, shapes the user experience. At times, it can be highly satisfying; other times, less so.
UX design is about grasping and sympathizing with your users' real needs and objectives, delving into their experiences, identifying issues (commonly referred to as "pain points"), and devising solutions that enhance the user experience.
Effective UX design usually only gets noticed if it's exceptionally good. If the UX is well-executed, you won't realize it; everything functions as expected. However, poor UX is easily recognizable, and you'll likely avoid repeating your experience with that product.
UX Design vs. Graphic Design
UX design and graphic design are both design-focused roles, but they differ significantly in their tasks and required skills in product development.
Understanding Design Roles
Exploring job boards reveals various design roles, often confusingly interchanged by some hiring managers. Each role, however, has a distinct function in product development. Here's an overview of four key design roles:
Graphic Designer: | They focus on creating visual content using color, shapes, images, and fonts for both print and digital media. Their work typically includes static layouts like logos, product packaging, advertisements, and brochures, communicating with customers. |
Visual Designer: | These designers work on creating a cohesive product or brand identity across different platforms and customer touchpoints. |
UI Designer: | Unlike graphic designers who produce static visuals, UI designers develop interactive elements for apps, websites, and electronic devices. |
UX Designer: | Using user-product interactions, UX designers consider how these interactions affect users' feelings, encompassing information architecture and product prototyping. |
Distinguishing UX and Graphic Designers
The primary distinction between graphic and UX designers lies in their focus areas. Graphic designers zero in on visual elements, while UX designers take a holistic view of user-product interactions, with graphic design being just one aspect of the broader user experience.
They also differ in various ways:
Graphic Designer vs. UX Designer
- Focus on visual elements vs. designing interactions
- Brand-centric vs. user-centric
- Specialized vs. multidisciplinary roles
- Skills in creativity, typography, and design software vs. empathy, user research, and prototyping tools
- Common tools include Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator vs. Balsamiq and Adobe XD
- Often hold degrees in graphic design vs. degrees in fields like human-computer interaction or design
- Average salary in the US: $50,172 for graphic designers vs. $77,200 for UX designers
Types and Focuses of Design
Graphic designers craft visual elements to convey a brand's message, focusing on brand identity. UX designers prioritize user advocacy, ensuring products meet user needs in an accessible, intuitive, and enjoyable manner.
Responsibilities and Daily Tasks
Given their different focuses, UX and graphic designers handle various aspects of product development.
Graphic Designer's Tasks:
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UX Designer's Tasks:
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Tools and Software
Graphic designers might use traditional tools like pen and paper, digital tablets, and various design software. UX designers employ tools for prototyping, flowcharting, wireframing, and usability testing.
Salaries and Education
Salaries for graphic and UX designers vary based on location, experience, and industry, with UX designers generally earning more. Educational backgrounds also differ, with graphic designers typically holding degrees in graphic design, while UX designers come from fields like computer science or human-computer interaction.
QUICK COMPARISON TABLE
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Designers | US Bureau of Labor Statistics | Glassdoor (US) | PayScale (US) | |
Graphic designer salary | $50,710 median salary (2021) | $50,172 average salary (2022) | $47,787 average salary (2022) | |
UX designer salary | $109,257 median salary (2021) | $101,078 average salary (2022) | $76,205 average salary (2022) |
Choosing a Design Career
Choosing graphic and UX design should align with your skills and interests. If you're drawn to visual creativity, graphic design may suit you. If you're interested in human psychology and research, consider UX design.
Transitioning from Graphic to UX Design
If you're experienced in graphic design, consider the advantages of transitioning to UX. There will be an estimated 4% decline in graphic design jobs over the next ten years, while UX design roles are expected to increase by 8%—a rate much higher than the average. Additionally, UX designers typically earn a higher salary.
Wondering how to switch?
Fortunately, many skills from graphic design apply to UX. Aesthetics play a crucial role in UX; a study found that visually appealing products are perceived as more usable, irrespective of their functionality.
To move into UX, you should enhance your abilities in several key areas, such as:
- User Research: Understanding user needs and how products can fulfill them is vital for UX designers. This involves conducting user research.
- Information Architecture: In UX, practicality often outweighs aesthetics. While a good-looking design is beneficial, its utility is paramount. Learning information architecture principles is essential to creating intuitive, effective website and app content.
- Testing and Iteration: Graphic design typically concludes when a design looks right. In contrast, UX is an iterative process involving designing, building, testing with real users, and revising based on feedback.
Finding Your Design Match On Toptal
Looking for the perfect designer on Toptal?
Whether you need a graphic designer's artistic flair or a UX designer's user-focused expertise, Toptal’s platform makes finding your ideal match a breeze.
If you're on the hunt for a Graphic or UX Designer and are considering Toptal (highly recommended), here's a step-by-step guide on how to leverage this platform for optimal results:
How To Use Toptal To Hire Designers
- Define Your Project Needs: Before diving in, clarify what you need. Is it a visually stunning logo or an intuitive app interface? Knowing what you're after helps Toptal match you with the right talent.
- Explore Toptal’s Talent Pool: Toptal prides itself on housing top-tier talent. Take a stroll through their designer profiles. You'll find portfolios showcasing a range of styles and skills, making it easy to spot your perfect creative partner.
- Use Toptal’s Matching System: Not sure where to start? Toptal’s matching system can help. Just input your project details; the system will suggest designers who fit the bill, saving you time and guesswork.
- Interview and Select: Once you’ve got a shortlist, set up interviews. It's not just about skill—ensure their communication style and project approach align with yours.
- Kick-off With Confidence: Found your match? Great! Start with a clear, brief, and open line of communication. Remember, a great project is a two-way street, so stay engaged and provide feedback.
Let's take a look at this Sidekick Case Study:
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Toptal gave us access to the best designers out there. They’re not easy to find. Those designers integrated very quickly with our existing teams. They very quickly understood our business case and the value of our solution. Toptal really allowed us to focus on building the best possible product and save a lot of time on the typical administrative pains that goes with it – specifically, finding the best talent. Toptal designers were very responsive, always online – and that made life very easy for us. We have ambitious goals on how to grow the application and already Toptal has been a key contributor to that success.
So, why wait? Dive in and discover your design dream team today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do graphic designers and UX designers collaborate on projects?
Yes, they often collaborate, especially on digital products. While the graphic designer focuses on the visual aspect, the UX designer ensures that these visuals contribute positively to the user experience.
What skills are unique to UX designers compared to graphic designers?
- UX Designer: Possesses skills in user research, information architecture, interaction design, and user testing. They often have a deep understanding of user psychology and behavior.
- Graphic Designer: Specializes in artistic and creative skills, including color theory, typography, and layout design.
Can a graphic designer transition into a UX designer role?
Yes, many graphic designers transition into UX design roles. However, they need to acquire additional UX principles, user research, and prototyping skills separate from a graphic designer's skill set.
Which role focuses more on user research and feedback, graphic design or UX design?
UX Design: Has a greater focus on user research and feedback. UX designers regularly conduct user testing and research to validate and improve their designs based on user input.
Are the career paths for graphic designers and UX designers different?
Yes, they often have different career paths. Graphic designers may progress into senior designer roles, art directors, or creative directors. UX designers might move into senior UX roles, managers, or UX strategists.
What is the impact of a graphic designer's work compared to a UX designer's?
- Graphic Designer: Impacts a product's visual appeal and branding, influencing how users perceive it visually.
- UX Designer: Impacts a product's overall user experience and usability, influencing how users interact and feel about the product.
Wrap-Up & Insights
By now, you should feel more like a navigator and less like a wanderer in the vast sea of design choices. Whether it's the visual storytelling of graphic design or the intuitive user journeys of UX design that your project needs, remember that the right talent can turn good ideas into great experiences.
In this quest, Toptal stands as your trusty sidekick, offering an easy path to connect with professionals who aren’t just skilled and perfect for your vision. Think of it as your secret weapon in ensuring your project looks good and feels right.
So, as you gear up to bring your ideas to life, keep the essence of design in mind: it's all about creating connections, whether on a canvas or a screen. With Toptal's help, you're not just choosing a designer; you're choosing to make your project the best version of itself.
Happy designing!