: Difference between graphic designer and visual designer I see myself as a multidisciplinary designer. I do both graphic design and web design, with a main focus in visual-identity design. I’m

@Kaufman565

Visual designer in its modern usage is a relatively new term usually used to refer to a specific role within a UI team. It's a more specialist niche within graphic design so I'd suggest only using it if that does reflect your experience and that is how you want to specialise.

A visual designer in this usage is person who is given a wireframe that the UI/UX designers have developed and tested, specifications and interaction patterns that the interaction designers have created, brand guidelines that visual identity designers have created, and then they use these to create the actual assets that will be used in a website, app or other digital medium.

If someone described themselves as a Visual Designer, I'd expect:


They have a graphic design background
Their focus is largely or almost entirely digital
Their focus is almost exclusively on producing the final image files or page mockups that are passed to a developer, and they typically defer to other specialists on things like layout architecture, interaction, etc
They're used to working within extremely tight specifications
They have experience working within a modern UI/UX team - e.g., they're used to their designs being formally user tested, they understand the different roles, they may have experience of modern digital project management structures like scrums, agile, release cycles, etc
Their work is probably very detail-focused - I'd expect them to be great at making things pixel-perfect and polished, but maybe a little lost if given a completely blank slate to be creative with (or, grateful for the chance to stretch their wings a little)


Whereas, if someone described themselves as a "graphic designer" I'd expect a generalist a bit more like what you describe - experience with print and digital/web, of the range from creative illustration to fine detail asset production, etc. I'd expect them to have more experience working solo, but also, possibly to be more likely to struggle to work within the tight confines of a modern UX team, and to have less experience of things like having designs formally tested, working with UI designers, etc etc.

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@Shelley591

It depends on context. And is ultimately going to be a matter of opinion.

As go-meek states, if you are working independently and seeking clients, graphic design and web design are likely good titles to stick with.

In larger organizations, the title 'visual designer' is often used to differentiate the types of designers that may be collaborating. This could include UI designer, interaction designers, UX designers, etc. But even then, the title is going to be somewhat arbitrary and a matter of opinion.

Type Designer can me something specific, as can a Brand Designer as well. It all comes down to what you are using the title for and who the audience is.

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@Rambettina927

If you are confused about your own title, imagine how your clients will be confused about what kind of services you offer.

I think you should stick to graphic and web designer; that says it all. And if you do web, it's even better to use "web designer" as well when introducing your services; some people aren't even sure what a graphic designer does, but there's no mistake when saying you're also a web designer!

Graphic designers are probably the most multidisciplinary kind of designer. It refers to pretty much anything that can be digitally painted, illustrated, the layouts, printing, typography, etc.

Visual designer: I think it's very confusing and not the kind of term people search for when looking for a print or web designer. It sounds more artsy and less technical, and could be anything referring to art, video, painting, meat dress designer, fabrics, etc. Even though there is small difference between graphic and visual designer, visual designers seem to focus more on specific elements of design. Graphic & web design is more general and content/project management oriented.

You should use a title that will attract the kind of jobs you want to do the most. For example: Digital Artist | Graphic & Web Designer.

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