Graphic design is the technique of creating visual content that conveys a message to a specific target audience. However, graphic design is much deeper than simply producing pretty pictures. Graphic designers are creative problem solvers. Graphic design problem solving refers to producing an attractively structured image that answers a brief. These graphics must solve a problem. What a business ends up with is a brand identity that works on various levels and solves both its problems and its clients.

In order to problem-solve, the designer must understand the issues involved and produce solutions. Essentially, when it comes to this aspect of the role, they become more of a project leader. At this point, the process revolves around the thought process behind the design element. This is where design and marketing combine. Creativity must be combined with problem-solving to produce the best results for clients.

Graphic design problem solving

So where does creative problem solving begin in the design of an image? A graphic designer produces a design with intent. In order to identify this intent, a graphic designer will firstly need to connect with the business.

Understanding the business brief will be the start to discovering what message the business wants to convey. It’s at this point graphic designers will be knee-deep in all that surrounds the business. Knowing the intended goals, products, values, vision, and offerings will start the process of creative problem-solving. Deciding on how to display the intended message creatively in a design, is the first problem-solving task.

A good design is effective at accomplishing its intended function. When we look at branding for major retailers, we can identify a retailer simply from their logo. These are examples of effective design that answered requirements and a business brief.

Adhering to the target audience

The second part of graphic design problem solving is conveying the chosen message to the target audience.

Graphic design is certainly more than producing pretty pictures. Hopefully, now you can begin to see the various levels involved. There are many complexities in designing an image that fits all the business requirements. This is where problem-solving really steps up in intensity into the role of a graphic designer. Being able to incorporate all these components into an alluringly eye-catching design. This takes great skill and a creative, yet problem-solving mind.

A graphic designer will soon begin to get selective. They create a system in which they can transfer their knowledge of a brand into design. Once they have their first draft, a graphic designer will be able to check it ticks all the boxes. This is how they solve problems. Creative problem solving is far from easy, a graphic designer must capture the essence of a brand and ensure it works well for the target audience.

Creating prototypes when graphic design problem solving

During the design process, prototypes will be used. This helps the graphic designer visualise the finished product. It allows them to mock up the design and ensure it does indeed solve the problems of the client. It gives them the opportunity to make changes, and edits, ensuring it fixes any issues.

What problems need to be solved?

So, as you can see, graphic design problem solving is an integral part of a graphic designer’s day to day role. But what problems need to be solved?

Branding is key

The importance of having a strong brand logo can sometimes be overlooked by businesses. This is the case whether producing a design for a new business or for a complete rebrand of an existing business. Branding for a business is a big deal.

We can all recognise at least a dozen branding logos of huge retailers where we are regular customers. What about the places or products we don’t use? Most of us can also recognise brand logos of the products or retailers we don’t even use, why? Because they are everywhere.

All you need to do is look at billboards, tv adverts, flyers, magazine articles and Instagram ads. Without memorable branding that is specifically targeted at a chosen audience, potential customers won’t remember you. This creates problems in branding and any future advertisements. A graphic designer will enable you to have the right imagery for your business. This helps you as a business to convey the right memorable messaging to your target audience.

Graphic design problem solving

After all, your branding needs to give people the right impression, especially if it is the first. Your social channels, website, and any other marketing material, whether online or print needs to represent you well. Ensuring it represents your target audience is key too, otherwise, you will end up with ill-fitting customers for your company.

What’s trending?

Producing a design with multiple effects and loud colouring may get noticed. However, this may not be necessary for the right reasons. Much like fashion and lifestyles, the design also follows trends. This is easy to spot when we compare TV adverts from the 1960s until now. Keeping up to date with trends whilst still being able to deliver to requirements is just another dimension to creative problem-solving.

However, it is also important that you must stand out from the crowd. Having strong branding and great graphics will help to set your business apart from others. A great graphic designer will do competitor research as another level of problem-solving. This will ensure you are unique in your branding and style.

Design to increase custom

Investing in a good quality graphic designer has an expectation of increasing custom in return. No business employs the use of a graphic designer without the hope of a monetary return for their efforts. After all, no one invests to expect nothing back.

There is no hard evidence to suggest that a graphic design improves customer numbers and therefore, profit.  This isn’t to say that all graphic designers should exclude this goal from their design process, as there are still some qualities in a design that can produce a better conversion total. There are also specific psychological consumer concepts, that graphic designer problem-solvers need to keep up to date with.

A good graphic designer will ensure your visuals are pleasing and convey your business message fast and effectively. This will persuade the audience to act and invest in your products or services. Making the investment in a good graphic designer will help you to save money in the long run. This is because a good, problem-solving graphic designer will create designs that last a long time. This reduces the likelihood of you needing to rebrand so quickly.

The world of social media

With an increase in the use of social media to promote businesses, it means that content is needed far more frequently. For a graphic designer, this can pose a challenge. This presents them with shorter deadlines, and multiple projects at the same time. These are creative problems to overcome.

The graphic designer must use storytelling within their designs. This will help you to tell a story through your social media. Thus, helping the consumers to interact with your business. Not only should graphics look appealing, but they must lead to connection.

Graphic design problem solving

It’s evident that problem-solving is central to creating a design. One that encompasses all brief requirements. Effective collaboration with a business is crucial to delivering a successful design.

Graphic design problem solving through creative design is about controlling the design process. This is done through continued evaluation, updates, and experimentation.

So, whether you are just starting out or in need of a new look, your branding must be taken seriously. If your business needs a facelift, it is important to enlist the support of a skilled, graphic designer. One that uses their knowledge to revamp or set up your brand to convey the right messages. A graphic designer who uses their skills and systems to tick all your boxes.

Are you looking to enlist a graphic designer to solve your problem? Get in touch today.

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