Designing Messages

• Branding

• Signage

• Logos and brand marks

• Information design such as maps & brochures

• Digital design

• Packaging

• Typographic designs

• Adverts such as in print, billboards, and online

• Illustration & animation

• Character Design

Presentation Formats in this Field Include (but are not limited to)

• Postcards

• Business Cards

• Cover Art

• Packaging

• Signs & signage

• Billboards

• Surface design

• Pattern design

• Brand elements

• Logo Design

• Website or app design

• Concept Art

• Zines

• Visual Identity

• Layout Design: Understanding grids, proportions, and space. 

• Type conventions: Understanding of selection, use, type anatomy, adjustments. 

• Packaging nets: Creating 3D forms from a 2D space. Legal & structural obligations in terms of packaging information, materials, food safety.

• Print conventions: Understanding of print methods, ink colour limitations, historic and contemporary methods, spacing, bleed & gutter. 

• Drawing conventions for different communication methods. Eg. Use of perspective or paraline drawing to communicate 3D forms. 

• Digital formats such as pixel & raster based programs, and their outputs.

• Subject, genre, and presentation specific conventions, to be research in accordance with the needs of the brief.  

Designers working with messages have an extremely wide scope to create designs applying any and all methods available, within reason and according to the needs of the project. 

The most common methods designers working with messages use in their work are:

• Drawing, applying a range of conventions and materials, including digital. 

• Print methods: Manual & digital for early stages of the design process, and professional print methods such as offset printing may be used in the deliver stage. 

• Photography -  Digital and traditional

• Collage - Manual, & digital.  Designers must be  cautious when  using  found images in work. Ensure you  document all sources in the folio. 

• Prototyping: low fidelity for idea  generation and early stages, high fidelity for concept testing and presentation. 

Designers working in this field will work in a range of contexts. These can include: 

• Freelance - Designers are often sole traders and seek out opportunities for project-based design work. In these cases designers may specialise or work with a wide range of skills. 

• As part of a large firm or studio - In this environment designers often are working on particular areas of skill.

• As part of a small firm or studio. In these cases designers may specialise or work with a wide range of skills. 

• In collaboration with other designers or specialists. Designers working in this field will work with others such as photographers, typographers, machinists, print offices, to realise their work. 

• Online or in person. Designers can now have flexibility in when and how they work. Working online gives fantastic scope for designers to work flexibly from home, and even while travelling. 

Wordmark Logo

A wordmark logo is composed of the company's name or initials designed in a unique and stylized font

Lettermark Logo

A lettermark logo consists of the initials or acronym of the company's name, designed in a distinctive and memorable way.

Emblem Logo

An emblem logo integrates the company's name or initials within a symbol or icon, creating a cohesive and unified mark

Symbol or Icon Logo

A symbol or icon logo uses a graphical symbol or abstract icon to represent the brand, often without any text.

Letterforms

Letterform logos focus on designing individual letters or characters in a visually appealing and distinctive manner, often using custom typography or creative arrangements.

Abstract Logo Marks

Abstract logo marks use geometric shapes, patterns, or abstract forms to create a unique and memorable visual identity for the brand, often without any direct representation of the company's name or products.

Mascots

Mascot logos feature a character or figure as the brand representation, often used to create a friendly and approachable brand image.

Combination Logo

A combination logo combines a symbol or icon with the company's name or initials, offering both visual and textual elements in the logo.