The main difference between graphic design and branding is straightforward: branding develops a consistent visual identity for a company, while graphic design focuses on creating visuals for communication.
You might think that logos, headers, and business cards define a brand? This is not the case! To build a distinctive, robust, and vibrant brand, it's crucial to grasp the disparity between branding and graphic design.
Essentially, branding is about how people perceive you, your business, services, and products. You shape your brand's visual identity through elements like the logo, chosen colors, and other design components. These choices distinguish your brand, helping it stand out and capture the attention of potential customers. Understanding this difference is the initial and vital step in crafting a unique and compelling brand.
What is Graphic Design?
Graphic design involves creating visual solutions throughout the brand development process. These professionals act as the guardians of your visual identity, ensuring consistency across all platforms for your Dallas business. Anything visually crafted by a professional graphic designer falls under graphic design.
While their primary role in the branding process comes towards the end—materializing ideas into tangible visuals—they should also be involved in the entire creative process.
Graphic Design vs. Web Design:
In a graphic design branding campaign, think of the graphic designer as a personal shopper, stylist, and tailor rolled into one. Their job is to ensure you consistently look good, attracting like-minded people by transforming your personality into a visual medium, much like clothing.
What is Branding Design?
Branding design revolves around how a brand visually represents its identity. It focuses on elements that set a brand apart from competitors, including the logo, color scheme, typography, and other design features.
“Brand is the sum total of how someone perceives a particular organisation. Branding is about shaping that perception.” -Ashley Friedlein
In essence, every action your company takes is considered branding and contributes to your brand. This encompasses your offices/stores, vehicles, social media presence, shipping, website, customer service, employees, and, of course, your best graphic design logos.
While visual identity graphic design plays a crucial role in branding, it's just one component and not the whole process. Branding extends beyond the visual realm, encompassing the entire customer experience across all levels, senses, and dimensions.