In a world full of information, visual storytelling is a new and quickest way to understand things. What is the first thing you do when you hold a book in your hand? You look at it, feel it, and admire the cover page. Right?
So, the first few seconds are really important to decide whether you want to purchase or not. And this is exactly why there is so much focus on designs as design is the first mean of communication.
Visual Design
People often ask us about what language do we speak. But before even formulating a sentence, we visualize everything into our mind. The same visual story comes out from our mouth.
Isn’t it fair to say that visual design is a whole language? The kind of language that has no cuts, or borders. It has only one purpose which is to add sense into everything we see and understand.
Why do we add a dark theme color to a horror storybook? Why does a comic book comprise of emotions, expressions and perspective? It is all to evoke emotions. A certain kind of emotion that the designer wants to excite in the target audience.
Visual Design in Websites
Go to a website and observe the layout, graphics, fonts and colors. And incase you have landed to a good one, you will see icons, infographics and even links to their magazines.
Icons guide us and compel us to click. It triggers the emotional response, making us feel familiar to the cues that result in to that one needed click.
Another thing is the use of infographics which is a combination of texts and visuals. It is one layout that summarizes everything and eases confusion. Who doesn’t want an easy way out? In this busy world, people want to grasp information in easy way and infographic does that.
Visual Design in Magazines
There is no doubt that magazine is an amazing source of visual storytelling. Maybe not you but most of us still hoard magazine and read it every night in our bed. It has information in the simplest form possible coupled with striking visuals. Literally drawing us to a different world.
Types of Visual Design
There are 3 types that you mainly come across including icon design, magazine design and infographic design.
Each is unique in its own way but they have one thing in common. That is to simplify complex information and turning every aspect into an experience through visuals.
Icon Design: The Tinniest Object with The Great Impact
Think of when you last use your phone. Were you using an app, reading a magazine or going through a website? This will tell you everything about the signification of icon and icon design.
Icons such tiny heart to show love, a red sign for action, a camera for memories or just an envelope for message are visual designs. They all and much more are self-explanatory.
Icon designs take few second to deliver the meaning or the message. It may take you 120 characters to deliver your message but an icon of “Click Here” or “Contact Us” is enough.
That is the silent art of icon design, saying it all without uttering a single word. Today, icons have become the mode of communication. They are now everywhere, even on chats where you send a thumbs up to show your agreement.
Role of Icon Designers
A tiny yet very punchy design art is designed just for one purpose. To reduce the time, it takes to understand something. An effective icon design is not just shapes but symbols. Symbols with fulfilling meaning.
Designers make great icons by compressing the whole idea to its core. They remove all the noise until one thing is left, the message. That message is then delivered either in a circle, line or a stroke in a graceful manner.
Icons are easy to use and are easy to remember. In magazines or on website, they direct users. Readers or viewers get the sense of familiarity through icons. And that is the art, telling more by showing less.
Infographic Design: Where Data Finds Its Voice
Let’s simplify it by saying that if icons speak, infographics screams. They would be like, hey, let’s have a proper conversation!
At times, it is very difficult to comprehend the number math and statistical data. Here, infographic jumps in to save. They do this by transforming complex and boring math into appealing charts or images. The kind of images that the normal audience would put 2 cents into to understand.
Infographics can be used by brands, business, and academic institutes. Brands can use infographics to deliver the story behind their products. Business strategist can use infographics to deliver the sales pitch to clients or show yearly revenue. Teachers and student can use infographics to understand the complex subjects.
Role of Infographic Designers
Infographics designers are basically translators of those charts, books and other statistical data. They turn these numbers or load of content into something you can easily learn and remember.
To add appeal, there is a use of color, symbolic shapes, and layout design. Every infographic design element is in balance to maintain an eye flow. For example, it is extremely painful to read a whole guide that talks about ecommerce stores but infographics make this easy.
By using the right strategy, content turns into visuals supported by subtitles and bullets. In meetings, company managers make use of these infographics to demonstrate the whole plan. Basically, saves a lot of time and energy.
Infographics are the true example of how storytelling is not done through words only. It can be done through different form and order of visuals.
Clarity is one the reason why infographics continue to prosper. There is so much creativity that can add into it.
Magazine Design: Visual Storytelling but on a Big Stage
As of now, we were talking about how we can compress a load of information into a single visual and use it to tell stories. Basically, to save time. Next is magazine where all the visuals are jammed together but with consistency in design element.
Magazine makes design a sensory experience. But it does not only concern a layout but the flow, the beat, and the story. Each spreadsheet, each picture, each font is a part of a larger narrative that unravels on an individual page.
The magic of magazine design has everything to do with the feel. You do not read it you ride with it. The images and text are dancing together. The former always leads the latter.
Role of Designer in Magazine Design
The magazine designer is like a director. Basically, directing where to start, how to continue and what works as supporting elements. It is the designer who makes sure that there are no extras.
You will find magazine design in print and pixels. Basically, in hand or on the internet. It is the job of a designer to make sure that the content compliments the visuals and the quality is premium.
Nowadays when everything is digitalized, we also find digital magazines stealing the spot from paper counterparts. Why? Because you can add animations, make elements more attractive and responsive. And yes, readers can easily zoon into look into details.
Knowing the perks of digital magazines, one of the hardships still remains the same. Which is to make magazine design worthy of visual storytelling. That’s the whole point of a good magazine that it does not just put down stories but shapes them.
Where All Stories Meet
Icons, infographics, magazines are all the means of visual communication. They require different design strategy but the goal is one, visual storytelling. Icons bring rhythm and direction. They are the indicators, the clues, the connective tissue that holds it all together.
Infographics cut down the depth and make one page visual into a learning experience.
On the other hand, magazines hold it all together. It holds the meaning, the depth, the significance in one design that appears smooth and clear.
A designer can design anything with a purpose in mind. And when it happens, when the purpose is found, something magical comes off.
The infographic can be the highlight of a magazine spread, the icons can lead the reader through the magazine, and the layout ensures that each detail is placed within the greater emotional context. The viewer does not watch the story then, but experience it.
The Power of Consistency in Visual Design
It is the consistency in design elements that makes a strong brand identity. Consistency keeps the message clear and intact. With consistent design elements, visuals, fonts, layout and everything else speak the same language. After that, you don’t just present facts or design, you set the bar of how viewers perceive you.
Consistency adds rhythm and rhythm creates memory. The next time your viewers look at your design piece, they will immediately recognize you. Hence, make a connection with you. Brands who focus on consistency in visual storytelling understand that it is the only way to leave a memorable mark.
Conclusion
Visual storytelling is a great addition to modern designs. Whether it is icons, infographics or magazines, visuals serve the purpose. For example, icons that direct, infographics that educate and magazines that engage. All can use visuals to tell a story.
In today’s world where there is too much information available and too tired eyes to read, these visuals motivate. Great visuals are not just appealing but also easy to understand. Most unskilled designers lose the purpose by adding too much into designs. Know that it is not the goal.
The goal is to use visuals as a bridge to deliver emotions, logic, clarity and curiosity in the most appealing and easy way possible. Each element, be it a color palette, logo, layout design, or symbols, must speak and connect.
Let’s Create Storytelling Visuals that Communicate
Form icons to infographics to magazines, Artisticore makes designs that are creative and serve the purpose. Begin your creative journey with us now!
