PPP: What Is Graphic Design For?

5 examples of websites/blogs. that will help you to define information & way-finding design.

5 examples of websites/blogs. that will help you to define product & packaging design.

5 examples of websites/blogs. that will help you to define branding & identity design.

5 examples of websites/blogs. that will help you to define editorial and publishing design.

5 examples of websites/blogs. that will help you to define retail and promotion.

Information and Way-finding:
Information and way finding is a crucial part of Graphic Design that takes a lot of skill to achieve well. It needs to be clear and concise in order to get the message across immediately to the audience without confusion. This sector is usually heavily imaged based which means that the symbols have to be simple and easy to recognise. Legibility is key especially when concerning navigation.

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/

Genre: Social Media

Audience: People who use social media sites

Content: Statistics on gender usage of social media websites

Sector: Infographics

http://www.johngrimwade.com/

Genre: Travel

Audience: People interested in visiting Florence

Content: Information on places in Florence and where they are situated

Sector: Maps

http://www.informationgraphics.net/

Genre: Art History and Biology

Audience: People who appreciate classical art and are interested in the human form

Content: Diagram labeling parts of the human body

Sector: Diagram

http://www.holmes-wood.com/

Genre: Opera

Audience: People going to the Royal Opera House, tourists

Content: Royal Opera House logo

Sector: Sign

http://www.fd2s.com/

Genre: Hospital Signage

Audience: Visitors to the hospital

Content: Navigation information

Sector: Sign

http://www.ininfo.co.uk/

Genre: Hospital Signage

Audience: Visitors to the hospital

Content: Navigation information

Sector: Sign

http://www.wolfstrome.com/

Genre: Entertainment

Audience: Visitors and residents to County Durham

Content: Narrative of stories

Sector: Installation

http://www.holmes-wood.com/

Genre: Art

Audience: Visitors to the V&A

Content: Information on the exhibition

Sector: Signs

http://www.mijksenaar.com/

Genre: University Campus

Audience: Students and visitors of the university

Content: Navigation information

Sector: Signs

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/

Genre: Power

Audience: Conspiracy theorists

Content: Information on opinion on who 'runs the world'

Sector: Infographics

Product and Packaging:

Packaging isn't just a cardboard box, recently it has really exploded into being an extremely creative sector as the competition between products is very high. The purpose of packaging has three roles: to protect, to promote and to facilitate the use of the product which means lots of design aspects need to be considered. It also has to include the necessary information about the product whilst still remaining visually attractive.

http://www.thedieline.com/

Genre: Drinks

Audience: Consumer of Akvavit

Content: Information on the type of drink

Sector: Packaging

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

Genre: Chocolate

Audience: Consumer of chocolate

Content: Information on the flavour of the chocolate

Sector: Packaging

http://www.purecreativemarketing.net/

Genre: iPhone merchandise

Audience: iPhone owners

Content: Information on the product and supporting images

Sector: Packaging

http://lovelypackage.com/

Genre: Alcohol

Audience: Scotch drinkers

Content: Information on the scotch brand

Sector: Packaging

http://www.jkrglobal.com/

Genre: Bread

Audience: Bread eaters

Content: Brand name and product information

Sector: Packaging

http://www.firebox.com/

Genre: Toys, figures

Audience: Children, fanatics

Content: Cardboard character features

Sector: Figurines

http://www.totalitygcs.co.uk/

Genre: Sauces, home cooking

Audience: Nando's fans

Content: Branding and sauce flavour

Sector: Packaging

http://www.graphicthoughtfacility.com/

Genre: Storage

Audience: People with junk

Content: Self created designs

Sector: Storage

http://lovelypackage.com/

Genre: Cosmetics

Audience: People who have irritation when shaving

Content: Brand and product information

Sector: Packaging

http://www.jkrglobal.com/

Genre: Cosmetics

Audience: Female majority

Content: Brand and product information

Sector: Packaging

Branding and Identity:

Branding and Identity is about creating a visual image for a company or organisation, it has to portray them in a light that will attract their target audience and client. A brand is a name, symbol, logo, slogan etc that distinguishes a seller from others. A brand is not only visual it is about creating positive connotations linking with the company that the audience will remember.

http://multiadaptor.com/

Genre: Television, environment

Audience: BBC viewers, environmentalists

Content: Company and message

Sector: Branding

http://www.firedog.co.uk/

Genre: Education

Audience: Prospective students

Content: College information

Sector: Branding

http://www.brainsonfire.com/

Genre: Chef uniform

Audience: Staff and customers

Content: Logo

Sector: Branding

http://www.pentagram.com/

Genre: Business cards

Audience: Customers

Content: Logo and contact information

Sector: Branding

http://www.attik.com/

Genre: Soft drinks

Audience: CocaCola consumers

Content: Logo and recognisable imagery

Sector: Branding

http://www.cgstudionyc.com/

Genre: Building branding

Audience: Tourists

Content: Logo and imagery

Sector: Branding

http://www.wolffolins.com/

Genre: Music

Audience: Record players

Content: Logo and record information

Sector: Branding

http://www.chasedesigngroup.com/

Genre: Storybook characters

Audience: Children and parents

Content: Character imagery

Sector: Branding

http://www.interbrand.com/

Genre: Phones, technology, retail

Audience: Customers

Content: Products and information

Sector: Interiors

http://www.thebrandunion.com/

Genre: Girls toys

Audience: Young girls

Content: Products and interiors

Sector: Interiors

Editorial and Publishing:

Editorial and publishing can be very specific to the genre it is. It is highly concerned with legibility and aesthetics. The quality of publications can vary widely from cheap cost to high end variations. Layout and hierarchy of type are try important and the use of them can make or break a design.

http://www.magspreads.com/

Genre: Photography, Magazines

Audience: Photographers, fans of Rankin

Content: Photography and corresponding articles

Sector: Editorial

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

Genre: Calendar

Audience: People who want a calendar

Content: Months of the year and corresponding gradient

Sector: Publishing

http://www.formfiftyfive.com/

Genre: Magazine, London

Audience: People interested in London

Content: Articles

Sector: Editorial

http://www.studio8design.co.uk/

Genre: Magazine, Contemporary art

Audience: Artists, designers

Content: Contemporary art pieces

Sector: Editorial

http://www.brightbull.co.uk/

Genre: Magazine, Elderly

Audience: Retired individuals

Content: Health and leisure articles

Sector: Editorial

http://www.cpl.co.uk/

Genre: Magazine, builders

Audience: Building engineers

Content: Articles on building

Sector: Editorial

http://www.aufwar.com/

Genre: Magazine, art exhibition

Audience: People with an interest in art

Content: Documentation on two exhibitions

Sector: Editorial

http://www.apeloig.com/

Genre: Magazine, fashion

Audience: Yves Saint Laurent fans

Content: Process and design information

Sector: Editorial

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

Genre: Magazine, typefaces

Audience: Designers

Content: Typefaces

Sector: Editorial

http://www.studio8design.co.uk/

Genre: Magazine, eco cities

Audience: Clients and employees

Content: Eco cities

Sector: Editorial

Retail and Promotion:
The main purpose of retail and promotion is to sell a product or brand. This can be done through shop signs and interiors, carrier bags, posters and even installations. It reflects branding very strongly as it needs to link with it and maintain the associations with their consumer.