{"id":7032,"date":"2020-04-07T07:00:10","date_gmt":"2020-04-07T05:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/?p=7032"},"modified":"2022-09-05T19:24:30","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T17:24:30","slug":"what-is-visual-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/digital-marketing-blog\/what-is-visual-design\/","title":{"rendered":"What is visual design?"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_medium\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_3-1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-image align_center\"><div class=\"w-image-h\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"483\" src=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/shutterstock_1017155545-copy-e1586179931211.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"DSM Digital School of Marketing- visual design\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/shutterstock_1017155545-copy-e1586179931211.png 700w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/shutterstock_1017155545-copy-e1586179931211-600x414.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>The Interaction Design Foundation defines visual design as shaping and improving the user experience through considering the effects of illustrations, photography, typography, space, layouts, and colour on the usability of products and on their aesthetic appeal. In a broad sense, visual design can be found in everything physical product we buy or sell. Product designers have to consider the look of the item, and if it will be accepted and appreciated by the consumers. We\u2019re looking at visual design in the <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/how-to-understand-customers-in-a-digital-marketing-environment\/\">marketing<\/a> sense, juxtaposing it against graphic design, and looking at a few elements of visual design, below:<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Visual design defined in marketing terms<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In the <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/how-has-content-marketing-changed-public-relations\/\">content marketing<\/a> world, visual design has one singular goal: to attract and hold the attention of a viewer. As a field, visual design has grown out of graphic design and user interface (UI). The two are combined, in predominantly digital content, to appeal to the reader and prompt them to take an action.<\/p>\n<p>The strategic implementation of images, colours, and fonts ensures that marketing content remains central on the page or feed. Visual designers targeting diverse audiences need to consider factors like the emotional impact of colours, what phrases and symbols mean to different cultures, the demographical split, and others.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Visual design vs graphic design<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>They might sound like the same thing, but there are differences between the two that set them apart. For one, visual designers earn around 33% more than graphic designers. Another difference has to do with scope. Graphic designers focus on designing the specific pieces of visual content that are used in marketing campaigns. They ensure that website banner images are polished, that fonts blend well against their backgrounds, etc.<\/p>\n<p>Visual designers, on the other hand, look at things in the broader sense. Instead of focusing on individual elements, they assess the aesthetic appeal of the campaign holistically. For example, a website visual designer will give opinions on how different elements integrate with those around them, giving a general \u2018look and feel\u2019 that needs to be optimal for maximum conversion potential. Let\u2019s face it: people like looking at nice things.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-video align_none ratio_16x9 has_iframe\"><div class=\"w-video-h\"><iframe title=\"Vimeo video player\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/309084735?autoplay=0&loop=0&autopause=0&color=00adef&portrait=0&byline=1&title=1&controls=1&muted=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/div><div class=\"w-video-icon\" style=\"font-size:1.5rem;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);color:#fff\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2><strong>Elements of visual design<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Visual designers are people who just know how something should look. They assess a number of factors that make up the aesthetic of a piece of content, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Hierarchy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This refers to the importance readers will infer based on the size of certain elements. Larger text will always be seen as more important.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Unity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This visual design element has to do with how well all of the piece of content\u2019s element fit together and create a harmonious aesthetic.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Balance<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Similar to unity, balance is all about ensuring that the elements are spatially equal to each other and the visible area (screen, mobile phone, magazine page).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Dominance<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Dominance helps to emphasise an important visual elements, like clickable buttons or text boxes. Applying dominance can include the use of colour, contrast, and scale.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/contact-us\/\">Get in touch with the Digital School of Marketing<\/a><\/h2>\n<p>Understand how visual design fits into the larger digital marketing mix with an <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/advanced-digital-marketing-course\/\">Advanced Digital Marketing Course<\/a> from DSM. There are loads more career kick-starters on our <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/\">digital marketing courses<\/a> page!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/advanced-digital-marketing-course\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7033 size-shop_single\" src=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Advanced-Digital-Marketing-600x96.jpg\" alt=\"DSM Digital School of Marketing - Advanced Digital Marketing\" width=\"600\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Advanced-Digital-Marketing-600x96.jpg 600w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Advanced-Digital-Marketing-300x48.jpg 300w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Advanced-Digital-Marketing-1024x164.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Advanced-Digital-Marketing-768x123.jpg 768w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Advanced-Digital-Marketing.jpg 1250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_justify\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_2\" href=\"#enquiry\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">Enquire Today<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">Blog Categories<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"wpb_text_column us_custom_5cd26a65\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><ul>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-1\"><a href=\"\/blog\/content-marketing\/\">Content Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/digital-marketing\/\">Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/cyber-security-blog\/\">Cyber Security<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/graphic-design-blog\/\">Graphic Design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-3\"><a href=\"\/blog\/public-relations\/\">Public Relations<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-4\"><a href=\"\/blog\/seo\/\">SEO<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/blog\/social-media-marketing\/\">Social Media Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/blog\/web-design-blog\/\">Web Design<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">You might also like<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"w-html\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/social-media-marketing-blog\/zero-moment-of-truth-benefit-social-media-marketing\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Use the Zero Moment of Truth to Benefit your Social Media Marketing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/digital-marketing-blog\/your-complete-guide-to-ppc-marketing-basic\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Your Complete Guide to PPC Marketing Basics. Find out more.<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/you-can-convey-a-lot-of-meaning-with-just-one-graphic\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">You Can Convey a Lot Of Meaning With Just One Graphic<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/digital-marketing-blog\/would-you-make-a-great-marketing-manager\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Would you make a great marketing manager?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/in-the-press\/win-with-bona-magazine-and-the-digital-school-of-marketing\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Win with Bona Magazine and the Digital School of Marketing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/in-the-press\/win-a-digital-marketing-course-valued-at-r12-000\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Win a Digital Marketing Course Valued at  R12 000<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">Top Selling COurses<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"wpb_text_column us_custom_5cd26a65\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><ul>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-1\"><a href=\"\/courses\/digital-marketing-course\/\">Intermediate Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/courses\/advanced-digital-marketing-course\/\">Advanced Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-3\"><a href=\"\/courses\/social-media-marketing-course\/\">Intermediate Social media marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-4\"><a href=\"\/courses\/digital-brand-management-course\/\">Brand Management<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/courses\/graphic-design-course\/\">Basic Graphic Design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-6\"><a href=\"\/courses\/advanced-graphic-design-course\/\">Advanced Graphic design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-7\"><a href=\"\/courses\/national-certificate-of-advertising\/\">National Certificate of Advertising<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-8\"><a href=\"\/courses\/national-diploma-of-copywriting-course\/\">National Diploma of Copyrighting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_medium\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-video align_none ratio_16x9 has_iframe\"><div class=\"w-video-h\"><iframe title=\"Youtube video player\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/A4eLm23Javw?autoplay=0&controls=1&origin=https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za&loop=0&mute=0\" allowfullscreen=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/div><div class=\"w-video-icon\" style=\"font-size:1.5rem;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);color:#fff\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[262],"tags":[586],"class_list":["post-7032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-digital-marketing-blog","tag-visuals"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7032"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7032\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}