Visual Designer: what they do and how to become one
Would you like to work as a Visual Designer? Discover the necessary skills and trust Domus Academy to acquire them!
The role of the Visual Designer is at the heart of the world of visual communication and marketing. In an era where images speak as much as words, the Visual Designer is the key creator of that visual language that captures attention, communicates messages, and brings ideas to life. This professional figure is fundamental in multiple sectors, from companies to advertising agencies, from multimedia production to e-commerce.
The Visual Designer is not just a graphic designer; they are a visual storyteller, who combines creativity, technical skills, and a deep understanding of brands and their needs. This professional not only creates captivating images but also shapes them to meet the branding and communication demands of a company. Their work goes beyond the aesthetic surface, involving key concepts like user experience, alignment with business strategy, and adaptation to emerging design trends.
The Visual Designer is, therefore, a key profession in the world of visual communication: they are responsible for creating engaging images and graphics to promote a brand and its product. This professional stands at the crossroads between art and technology, between the internet and drawing, because they transform abstract concepts into stimulating visual representations. In this dynamic context, the advent of digital has expanded the scope, opening new opportunities and challenges. The importance of their role in the sector, therefore, lies in the ability to enhance brand perception and convey effective messages through creative use of images and graphics.
To embark on a career as a Visual Designer, it is advisable to acquire solid training through graphic design courses or specific academic paths. A master’s degree in graphic design or certain practical experiences can enrich the training journey of these professionals and form their portfolio.
Visual brand design is the creation and development of a brand’s visual identity, which includes all the visual elements that represent and communicate the brand’s image and message to its audience. This includes the design of logos, typography, color schemes, imagery, and other graphic elements that consistently convey the brand’s personality and values. Visual brand design plays a critical role in differentiating a brand from its competitors and establishing a recognizable and cohesive look across multiple platforms, including packaging, advertising, websites, and social media. The goal is to create a strong, memorable, and emotional visual presence that resonates with the target audience and reinforces the brand’s identity.
Being a Visual Designer requires a wide range of skills that transcend mere graphic ability. In addition to possessing a solid artistic foundation, it is essential to develop technical and conceptual skills to excel in visual marketing. Key skills include mastery of design software and applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Furthermore, a deep understanding of design principles, such as composition, typography, the use of fonts and colors, and image theory, is crucial.
In addition, the ability to create a project based on observing user experience and quickly adapting to new industry trends and technologies is fundamental. Visual communication is another key skill, requiring effective transmission of a message through the created work. Finally, the ability to creatively solve problems is essential to face various challenges and meet all customer needs.
This set of professional skills forms the necessary foundation to undertake a successful career as a Visual Designer, but it is equally important to have solid experience with the tools of the trade. The Visual Designer predominantly uses software like Photoshop for image manipulation and photo retouching, Illustrator for creating vector graphics and other multimedia tools to develop videos, graphics, and engaging visual content. The Visual Designer may also regularly use social media and programs for their management. It is crucial for the Visual Designer to be familiar with AI tools, to know their potential and exploit them within the creative process.
The Visual Designer can work in various contexts, including communication agencies, companies, design studios, and can also embark on a career as a freelancer. They often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, with various clients, and adapt to different types of consulting and business needs.
The Visual Designer can develop their skills within the Master in Visual Brand Design.
The accredited Academic Master in Visual Brand Design focuses on identifying the fundamental principles of a brand and its future prospects, in order to develop cutting-edge communication strategies.
Students, understanding the specific identity of a brand, gain in-depth knowledge of its products and services through the use of various marketing techniques and visual languages. The goal is to identify innovative and creative approaches, in response to a design brief, to engage customers through physical, digital, and social media communication channels.
Through close collaboration with companies during the 4 workshops proposed during the year, students gain field experience by tackling real and current problems proposed by the brands themselves.