Look around you: almost everything you see is a product of design, showcasing various types of design—from the shoes you’re wearing to the device you’re using to read this blog.
Without a doubt, design shapes how we see, feel, and interact with the world.
In this article, let’s explore the fascinating spectrum of types of design and look at awesome examples of each. We’ll also throw in a few design trivia, so get ready to learn!
Table of Contents
- 1. Graphic Design
- 2. Web Design
- 3. UI/UX Design
- 4. Motion Graphics Design
- 5. Packaging Design
- 6. Print Design
- 7. Illustration Design
- 8. Brand Identity Design
- 9. Environmental Design
- 10. App Design
- 11. Social Media Design
- 12. Product Design
- 13. Infographic Design
- 14. Ebook and Publication Design
- 15. Interior Design Graphics
- 16. Interactive Design
- 17. Fashion Design
- 18. Game Design
- 19. Advertising Design
1. Graphic Design
First on our list of types of design is graphic design. It’s the art of creating visual content to express messages. That said, there are many types of graphic design under this umbrella, and they all focus on combining images, text, and design elements.
Image licensed by Penji
For example, the graphic above showcases a well-structured shampoo product visual. As seen on the example, it uses vibrant colors and clear text design to express key product benefits.
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2. Web Design
Next on our list is web design, which is all about creating layouts and visuals for websites. For one, good web design not only offers an engaging experience but also regularly adapts to current industry trends. That said, it’s no surprise that unlimited wed design is all the hype these days.
Image licensed by Penji
As seen in the example above, the design highlights a clean layout with sections for zoo attractions, maps, and news.
- Design Trivia: We’ve come along way since the first website was created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991. It was just plain text without any visual design!
3. UI/UX Design
UI (User Interface) design focuses on the look and interactive elements of a product. Meanwhile, UX (User Experience) design improves how users feel when navigating through it. Together, they ensure a smooth, intuitive, and visually appealing experience.
Image licensed by Penji
For example, the design above highlights not only mobile-friendly visuals but also easy-to-follow navigation, guiding the user’s eyes smoothly from the header to the content sections.
4. Motion Graphics Design
Motion graphics, on the other hand, design combines animation and graphic design to create moving visuals. Because it makes ideas more engaging, it’s commonly used in explainer videos, ads, and social media content.
GIF licensed by Penji
For example, the GIF style above is perfect for creating immersive experiences in digital media.
- Design Trivia: John Whitney, known as the “father of motion graphics,” started this field in the 1940s. One of his well-known works, Catalog, was made in 1961. He used analog computers to create eye-catching abstracts, paving the way for modern motion design.
5. Packaging Design
Next on our list is packaging design, which is creating pleasant and functional designs for product containers. It goes without saying that a package designer ensures that the design not only protects the product but also expresses the brand’s identity and captures attention.
Image licensed by Penji
- Design Trivia: The first recorded use of branded packaging dates back to ancient Egypt, where merchants used clay seals to identify their goods.
6. Print Design
Print design, on the other hand, focuses on creating visual materials for physical distribution, like posters, brochures, and business cards. That said, it blends aesthetics with functionality to deliver clear messages offline.
Image licensed by Penji
7. Illustration Design
Next up, we have illustration design, which is one of the types of design art that creates custom artwork to tell stories, enhance branding, or visually explain ideas. It goes without saying that it adds personality and uniqueness to projects, much like the custom illustration example by Penji below:
Image licensed by Penji
- Design Trivia: Our present-day illustrations may be very advanced, but they still share a common purpose with the earliest recorded illustrations—prehistoric cave paintings—which tell stories through visuals.
8. Brand Identity Design
Next on our list is brand identity design, which creates the visual elements that represent a brand, such as logos, colors, fonts, and imagery. For instance, the branding kit below showcases a cohesive set of materials for a startup checklist.
Image licensed by Penji
9. Environmental Design
Environmental design, meanwhile, creates visuals for physical spaces. This includes signages, trade show booths, and other designs, such as the roll-up banners below, which we designed:
Image licensed by Penji
10. App Design
App design, on the other hand, involves creating intuitive and visually appealing interfaces for mobile and desktop apps. That said, it needs to balance beauty with function so that users have a seamless experience.
Image licensed by Penji
11. Social Media Design
Next up is social media design, which focuses on visually engaging content for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. It goes without saying that it aims to grab attention, convey a message quickly, and reflect the brand’s identity – much like these examples below:
Image licensed by Penji
- Design Trivia: Posts with colorful visuals get 94% more engagement on social media than plain text posts.
12. Product Design
Product design, meanwhile, focuses on creating physical products that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly. For instance, the product design for this vacuum by Dyson highlights a sleek look combined with cutting-edge tech.
Image from Dyson
13. Infographic Design
Infographic design, on the other hand, simplifies complex information into visually engaging graphics. For example, the image below for Wave Ware clearly maps the product lifecycle, using arrows, icons, and colors to guide the viewer.
Image licensed by Penji
14. Ebook and Publication Design
Ebook and publication design, meanwhile, focuses on creating layouts for digital and print publications, such as books, magazines, and reports. For instance, this design for Tales from the Outback features earthy tones and minimalist visuals, and its clean, professional layout captures the book’s theme.
Image licensed by Penji
15. Interior Design Graphics
Next up, interior design graphics focus on creating visuals that enhance interior spaces, which doesn’t only involve wallpapers, murals, but also custom furniture designs. For example, this interior design by Decorilla uses geometric accents and neutral tones with pops of color to create an inviting atmosphere.
Image from Decorilla
- Design Trivia: The concept of modern interior design began in the early 20th century with the Bauhaus movement, which focused on minimalistic spaces.
16. Interactive Design
Have you ever found yourself enjoying clickable graphics and charts and answering online quizzes? Then you’ll be interested to know that these engaging digital experiences are brought to the table by interactive design. For instance, the interactive content featured in the example below boosts engagement due to clickable sections.
Image licensed by Penji
17. Fashion Design
Fashion design, meanwhile, blends functionality with artistic expression. It encompasses various types of design in fashion, from haute couture to ready-to-wear and sustainable designs.
For instance, this fashion illustration by Megan Hess for her book Coco Chanel: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon highlights the iconic Chanel designs, showcasing timeless elegance.
Image from The Hills Boutique
18. Game Design
Any gamer would be familiar with game design, which involves creating the visual elements, mechanics, and narratives for video games. It focuses on making gameplay immersive and engaging by combining art, storytelling, and interactive features.
Image licensed by Penji
- Design Trivia: The first commercially successful video game, Pong, was released in 1972 and set the foundation for modern game design.
19. Advertising Design
Last but not least on our types of design list is ad design, which focuses on visuals for campaigns across various platforms, including print, digital, and social media. For example, this image features a set of ad designs for Google display ads.
Image licensed by Penji
Whether you need custom illustrations, sleek app designs, or eye-catching social media graphics, Penji has you covered.
Enjoy unlimited designs tailored to your needs—all for one flat monthly rate. View a quick demo today and get access to the world’s top 2% of designers who can craft your designs, no matter the type.
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