Graphic design is essentially the use of graphics and text to communicate a message to other people. The design variety is used to make logos, to create newsletters, posters, brochures, and of course, websites.

The basic aspects of graphic design are to create an overall look that is easy to read and is inviting to the client or user in order to convert the website, or the brochure or other elements into a sale for the person using the design.

Graphic design deals a lot with unity, alignment, with balance, and today, more than at any other time, with white space and good use of text.

One of the most important aspects of graphic design is your preplanning and the knowledge of the audience that you are trying to impress or to convey the message to.
Knowing your audience prior to beginning may be the single most important part of designing for any group of people. Learning what kind of person you’re going to be aiming your designs toward is imperative in order to be able to reach that audience.

For example, creating a pale pink and deep purple skater posters may get the news about your product out to a group of people who fall into the 18-24 age group, but if you’re selling a product that appeals to a middle aged group, you’re not going to reach them, and you aren’t going to sell much to the teens.

The first lesson in graphic design then, is know your audience and target them appropriately using the kind of design that will appeal to them.