Learn the key skills and tools for communication design vs graphic design, and how they differ and complement each other in creating visual messages.

Communication design is questioning the 'why' first, identifying the vision and then setting up a long-term communication strategy, orchestrating the interaction of tools and means towards that one vision.

In Communication design, it's crucial to address key questions: "Why is this important?" "Who is the audience?" "What is the key message?" and "What impact do you want to have?" These considerations guide designers in creating compelling visual solutions that effectively influence behavior, attitude, and perception.

What are the key skills and tools for communication design vs graphic design?

Communication design and graphic design are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences and similarities. Both involve creating visual messages that communicate ideas, emotions, and information to an audience, but they have different goals, processes, and tools. In this article, you will learn what are the key skills and tools for communication design vs graphic design, and how they can complement each other.

1 Communication design

Communication design is a broad term that covers various disciplines, such as advertising, branding, web design, user interface design, information design, and social media design. Communication designers focus on the strategy, content, and context of their messages, and how they can influence the behavior, attitude, and perception of their audience. Communication designers use research, analysis, storytelling, and user testing to create effective and engaging visual solutions that meet the needs and goals of their clients and users. Some of the tools that communication designers use are Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, InVision, and WordPress.

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Daniela M. Lauer-Balan

🗣 Make Your Point With Power and Poise Swiss-Based Communication Tutor Guiding Leaders to Confident & Eloquent Conversations in Switzerland
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Communication design is questioning the 'why' first, identifying the vision and then setting up a long-term communication strategy, orchestrating the interaction of tools and means towards that one vision.

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Christopher Lewis 🎨 🧪

Storytelling | User Experience Design | Information Design
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In Communication design, it's crucial to address key questions: "Why is this important?" "Who is the audience?" "What is the key message?" and "What impact do you want to have?" These considerations guide designers in creating compelling visual solutions that effectively influence behavior, attitude, and perception.

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RAJNIKANT GUPTA
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Communication design and graphic design require different skill sets and tools. Communication designers focus on strategic thinking, audience analysis, and storytelling, often using simply Microsoft Powerpoint and activities as their tools. Meanwhile, graphic designers specialize in visual communication, emphasizing typography, color theory, and composition, and rely on software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

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Niina Turtola

Lecturer in Graphic design (PhD, FHEA) Typography, Visual communication design, Artistic research / MA Viscom / BBA / PGCert Language-based artistic researcher, Research for Design
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Communication design is about conveying a specific message to a specific audience. Context is of primary importance. Communication happens via language which consists of text and images. Through images and text communication we enter to visual communication of the message. Message needs to be seen so that we can see it, read it and understand it: typography sheds light to written materiality of the text that can be enhanced by images and nature of the text and layout: context. A concert poster communicates the concert in question. It depends on the communicator how they approach the topic.

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2 Graphic design

Graphic design is a more specific term that refers to the art and practice of creating visual elements, such as logos, icons, illustrations, typography, and layout. Graphic designers focus on the aesthetics, style, and form of their messages, and how they can convey meaning, emotion, and identity through visual language. Graphic designers use principles of color, shape, contrast, hierarchy, and alignment to create visually appealing and coherent designs that support the content and context of their messages. Some of the tools that graphic designers use are Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, CorelDRAW, and Affinity Designer.

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Niina Turtola

Lecturer in Graphic design (PhD, FHEA) Typography, Visual communication design, Artistic research / MA Viscom / BBA / PGCert Language-based artistic researcher, Research for Design
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Graphic design belongs under the umbrella terms visual communication design and communication design. In graphic design, typography refers to visuality of written language. And typography gives the feel to text through use of typefaces and other graphic design elements, such as layout, space, texture. Graphic design and typography enhance visualisation of a specific message to a specific audience. There is no written language, without it being made materially available.

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3 Similarities and differences

Communication design and graphic design have many similarities and differences. Both require creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, and both use visual elements to communicate messages. However, communication design is more concerned with the strategy, content, and context of the messages, while graphic design is more concerned with the aesthetics, style, and form of the visual elements. Communication design is more interdisciplinary and holistic, while graphic design is more specialized and focused. Communication design is more oriented towards the audience and the user, while graphic design is more oriented towards the client and the identity.

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Niina Turtola

Lecturer in Graphic design (PhD, FHEA) Typography, Visual communication design, Artistic research / MA Viscom / BBA / PGCert Language-based artistic researcher, Research for Design
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Graphic design belongs under the umbrella term communication design. Graphic design uses typography and images to communicate a specific message to a specific audience.

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4 How to choose

Depending on your goals, interests, and skills, you may prefer communication design or graphic design as your career path. If you enjoy creating visual messages that influence and engage your audience, and you are interested in researching, analyzing, and testing your solutions, you may want to pursue communication design. If you enjoy creating visual elements that convey meaning and emotion, and you are interested in developing your style and form, you may want to pursue graphic design. However, you don't have to limit yourself to one or the other. You can also combine communication design and graphic design skills and tools to create more versatile and comprehensive visual solutions.

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5 How to learn

There are many ways to learn communication design and graphic design skills and tools. You can enroll in formal education programs, such as degrees, diplomas, or certificates, that offer courses and projects in both fields. You can also take online courses, workshops, or tutorials that teach you specific skills and tools for communication design or graphic design. You can also learn from books, blogs, podcasts, or magazines that cover the latest trends, best practices, and case studies in both fields. You can also learn from other designers by joining communities, forums, or networks that offer feedback, advice, and inspiration for your work.

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6 How to practice

The best way to practice communication design and graphic design skills and tools is to work on real or simulated projects that challenge you to apply your knowledge and creativity. You can find projects that suit your level and interest by browsing online platforms, such as Behance, Dribbble, or 99designs, that showcase and host design projects from various fields and genres. You can also create your own projects by identifying a problem, a goal, or a topic that you want to communicate visually, and following the steps of the design process, such as research, ideation, prototyping, and evaluation. You can also practice by participating in competitions, contests, or challenges that give you a brief, a deadline, and a reward for your work.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Aashutosh Mishra

Alumni Relations|Strategic MBA Graduate | Marketing & Sales Specialist Driving Growth |Traveler| Networker| Enthusiast Cook
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Communication Design emphasizes strategy and user engagement, requiring skills like content planning, UX/UI design, and storytelling. Tools include Adobe InDesign for layouts and UX research platforms like Hotjar. For instance, a communication designer might create a website that educates users about sustainability using interactive content and clear navigation. Graphic Design centers on visual communication and branding, employing skills like typography, color theory, and print design. Tools like Adobe Illustrator and Canva are common. For example, a graphic designer might develop a logo and branding materials for a new café, ensuring consistency across signage, menus, and social media graphics.

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What are the key skills and tools for communication design vs graphic design?

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1 Communication design

2 Graphic design

3 Similarities and differences

4 How to choose

5 How to learn

6 How to practice

7 Here’s what else to consider

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