Brand Designers vs Graphic Designers: what’s the difference?
We often get asked what the difference is between a graphic designer and a brand designer, so we decided it’s time to grab the cliché by the horns and answer it directly.
Both graphic designers and brand designers are professionals in the creative field who play essential roles in shaping the visual identity of a company or organisation. However, they have distinct focuses and responsibilities. Whilst they might sound very similar, they are actually very different in function:
Scope of Work:
Graphic Designer: Graphic designers primarily focus on creating visual elements for various media and applications. Their work often includes designing logos, brochures, posters, social media graphics, website layouts, and other marketing materials. They excel at using design software and tools to bring ideas to life in a visually appealing manner.
Brand Designer: Brand designers, on the other hand, have a broader scope of work. They are involved in shaping and maintaining the overall brand identity and strategy of a company or product. Their responsibilities go beyond just creating individual design pieces. They are concerned with developing a consistent brand message, defining the brand's personality and values, and ensuring that all visual elements align with the brand's essence.
Focus on Identity:
Graphic Designer: The main focus of a graphic designer is on creating eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing designs that serve specific purposes, such as conveying information, promoting a product, or enhancing the visual appeal of a project.
Brand Designer: Brand designers are concerned with building a deep understanding of the target audience and crafting a unique identity for the brand. They work to create an emotional connection between the brand and its customers through visual elements, typography, colour schemes, and other design components.
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Long-term vs. One-off Projects:
Graphic Designer: Graphic designers often work on individual projects that have distinct objectives and timelines. Once the project is completed, they might move on to the next one, which could be unrelated to the previous work.
Brand Designer: Brand designers typically work on long-term projects, as they are involved in creating and maintaining the brand's identity over time. They need to ensure that all design elements are consistent across different platforms and marketing campaigns.
Strategic Thinking:
Graphic Designer: While graphic designers do require some level of strategic thinking to address design challenges effectively, their primary focus is on executing the specific design tasks given to them.
Brand Designer: Brand designers must think strategically and consider the bigger picture. They need to understand the target market, competitors, industry trends, and business goals to develop a brand identity that resonates with the intended audience and sets the brand apart from competitors.
Collaboration:
Graphic Designer: Graphic designers often collaborate with clients, project managers, and other team members, but their work primarily revolves around design creation.
Brand Designer: Brand designers collaborate with various stakeholders, including marketing teams, executives, product managers, and other designers, to ensure that the brand identity aligns with the overall business strategy and values.
In summary, graphic designers are specialists in creating visual designs for various projects, while brand designers focus on the holistic development and management of a brand's identity. Both roles are crucial in the world of design, and they may often collaborate to achieve a cohesive and impactful brand presence.