Graphic design, both good and bad, is all around us. It’s everywhere we look and can’t be escaped except by closing our eyes. One can get a better understanding of the basics of graphic design by studying its elements and principles. Whether it’s a billboard or a box of cereal, a magazine ad or a TV commercial, a web site or logo, all of these things are examples of graphic design and somebody, somewhere, created them.

Multimedia design is the process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication. The purpose of graphic design and visual communication (terms that are interchangeable) is to make this message as quick and as easy as possible because of the advent of interactive media, that use both visual images and sound, there are some incredible multidisciplinary opportunities available for today’s designer.

Primarily, graphic designing can be divided into two major areas: print and multimedia. Print includes desktop publishing, advertising, magazine design, publishing, corporate identity, logos, typography, package design, and print production. Multimedia includes television and film design, video production, computer games, interactive design, animation, TV graphics, film titles, and web design. Because of the advent of interactive media that use both visual images and sound there are some incredible multidisciplinary opportunities available for today’s designer. Graphic designers work for virtually all types of businesses, industries, and institutions.