Design surrounds us; everywhere we look, objects or services were the brainchild of a designer in a particular field.
Their sole purpose is to create a product or service that engages prospective customers, thus, converting browsers into return visitors or buyers.
There are many types of designers, including product and web design, illustrators, and infographics. Here at Legiit, we have an embarrassment of riches scaling the broad design spectrum.
Whether you’re looking for a service to build your business, have a specialty to offer, or are interested in a career in design, right here is a great place to start your research.
Types of Designers and What They Do
Design evolves at a rate of knots to keep up with the rapid advances in technology and digital transformation.
Listed below are just some of the types of designers found here at Legiit. Alongside their job title, expect to find approximate hourly rates based on their qualifications, experience, and your brief; most Freelancers quote based on an overall gig.
Web Designer
There are two primary roles of a web designer: to build or redesign websites.
In doing so, they ensure that their design is aesthetically pleasing while remaining functional and easy to navigate. In essence, the job is to achieve the perfect look and feel of any website.
Web designers work to a specific brief following several client consultations. Their role may require them to create a landing page or complete site.
They take a concept and use their layout, font, icons, and color knowledge to create the essential service for your business needs.
Most web designers use HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, and typically really on web building software including:
- WordPress
- WiX
- Squarespace
- Photoshop
- InDesign
- Illustrator
A web designer is a go-to person to interpret your ideas with their influences and flair, resulting in perfect format, structure, and appearance.
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers excel at giving an individual, visual identity to a wide range of marketing and advertising materials, although not limited to these services.
They create content across many platforms working in print, digital, and mobile formats.
Graphic designers have an in-depth knowledge of typography, color, shapes, and images to convey messages and information that captivates consumers.
Their designs are visually appealing and seen in a plethora of formats, including:
- Marketing material – brochures, flyers, posters, etc
- Presentations and reports – slide decks
- Print and publication -magazines, catalogs, books
- Lettering and type – letterheads, logos, business cards
- Infographics – data visualization
- Web and user interface design – websites and blogs
Graphic designers are multi-skilled creatives. They employ software including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Typography to increase brand identity.
Motion Graphics Designer
A Motion Graphic Designer has a similar skill set to an animator or graphic designer. Their primary remit is to make typography, illustrations, and other visuals appear to move.
To create this, they have exemplary knowledge of multiple software packages, including;
- Animate Premiere
- Adobe After Effects
- Cinema 4D
- Final Cut Pro
- Camtasia
Motion designers are the go-to person for assistance in several media formats and excel in the fast-moving worlds of social media and advertising. Enlist their help with the following;
- Logo builders and reveals
- Infographics
- Explainer videos
- Digital adverts
- PowerPoint presentations
- Social Media graphics
- GIFs
Motion designers also partake in film and television industries, showcasing their animation techniques.
Brand Designer
As you might expect, a Brand Designer’s primary role is to create effective visual content to ensure a unique and captivating brand message.
They develop a visual language that becomes synonymous with a particular brand; creating its definition and individuality.
It is achieved using illustrations, color, photography, logos, and icons and is used across physical and digital platforms.
Most brand design is web-based content, made up of apps and websites, social media, gaming, and logos. Product packaging, store structure, brochure, and magazine branding also fall within the branding remit.
Brand Designers typically use software including;
- InDesign
- Photoshop
- Typography
- Illustrator
- SketchUp Pro
- KeyShot
Brand Designers are very passionate and creative people with the impressive ability to give your business a distinctive personality.
Animation Designer
The role of an Animation Designer is to create moving images combining the use of art and technology to tell a story or provide information.
The integral function of their job is to make otherwise still images move; this can be text, logos, objects, or characters.
They specialize in developing hand-drawn, modeled, 2D, or 3D characters.
2D – provides flat, 2-dimensional text or graphics, typically used in cartoons and advertising.
3D – results in realistic animation using computer-generated images (CGI)
Animation skills are required in numerous situations, including
- Film/TV/social media
- Marketing and advertising
- Video games
- Animated videos
- Animated films
- Computer games
As well as being artistic and creative team players, animators possess advanced computer skills such as;
- Prototyping
- UI designing
- 3D modeling
- CGI
- Interaction design
In doing so, they excel using After Effects, Cinema 4D, 3D Studi Max, Illustrator, Photoshop, and other animation software.
UX Designer
It is the job of the UX Designer to take a project, be that a product or a company, and optimize it into the most user-friendly experience it could be.
They focus on the consumer’s initial encounter with the product, its usability, how it flows, and its intuitiveness. They also consider the psychology behind all design decisions and the overall architecture.
Tools commonly used, include;
- Sketch
- InVision
- Figma
- Adobe XD
UX Designers work with physical products, such as cell phones and gaming handsets, through websites and other mobile applications.
UI Designer
A User Interface (UI) Designer shares many similarities with a UX Designer in that they are tasked with preparing a product for the best possible experience for the end-user. However, UI designers concentrate solely on the visual aspect and aesthetics of the product.
Much of their work takes place on websites, mobile apps, and e-commerce stores. They use many tools, including;
- High Fidelity Wireframes
- InVision
- Sketch
- Photoshop
- Adobe XD
- MockFLow
- Figma
The role of a UI designer leads them to examine all visual elements, such as the icons, typography, spacing, and color schemes. They are responsible for accurate responses, dropdowns, and tags.
It is even their decision if a button should be rounded or angular.
Product Designer
A Product Designer uses technical know-how and skill to address specific needs or solve users’ problems.
They imagine, create, design, and test products, working towards satisfactory solutions.
The product designer often does many similar tasks to UI and UX designers or otherwise works hand-in-hand with them.
They are most concerned with meeting consumer expectations and staying true to the brand than visual appeal.
They utilize lots of software, such as;
- Adobe Comp and XD
- Photoshop
- Figma
- InVision
- Sketch
- Balsamiq
- Mockflow
A Product Designer is necessary to help achieve business goals without losing any brand integrity.
Art and Illustration Designer
Illustrators are undoubtedly artistic creatives that ply their trade in various mediums.
Some prefer traditional techniques such as pencil, ink, or paint, while others utilize editing and illustration software.
Their work is useful in many applications, including;
- Advertising and marketing – logos, posters, flyers, ads, packaging design
- Educational literature – children’s books, worksheets
- Website images – blog posts, social media, infographics
Illustrators sketch, paint and draw using many mediums. Their use of color, light, shade, and shadows effectively draws consumers’ attention.
A graphics tablet and software expertise enable illustration designers to showcase clever techniques to advertise a product.
Some of the most common tools include;
- Procreate
- Photoshop
- After Effects
- Adobe Animate
- PaintTool
- ArtRage
A design illustrator is often responsible for adding the finishing touch to any creative masterpiece.
Illustration Design Example
Which Type of Designer Do I Need?
With so many skillful, freelance designers available on Legiit, it is sometimes difficult to know which is best for your project.
Identify Your Requirements
First and foremost, identify your specific needs and the overall objective you wish to achieve. Decide if your service/product needs building, rebranding, or a complete overhaul.
Secondly, try and match your business goals to a skill set listed above; many designers have overlapping abilities. There are also more types of designers than there is time to list.
If your job is quite specific, remember that most design profiles have sub-categories. For instance, it is possible to narrow graphic design down into ‘infographics’ ‘image editing’ ‘print design’ etc.
Begin the Search
Job boards, social media, and online hiring platforms all have excellent links to a variety of designers. As you’re already here at Legiit, this seems the perfect place to start.
Enter your search criteria, and within moments you will be inundated with profiles of professionals all capable of fulfilling your business needs.
Reach Out
Speak to some designers. If you’re impressed, ask to see their resume, examples of their published work, and portfolio.
If they can’t take your gig, chances are they will be able to point you in the direction of someone who can.
Reviews
Legiit’s review section is second to none. You can view honest feedback from previous employers; see if the candidate is reliable and trusted to hit deadlines.
Hire Your Chosen Designer
When terms are agreed, remain in touch during the whole design process. Most contributors factor any amendments and additions into the final cost.
Careers in Design
Designers are generally a creative and imaginative group of people that also possess excellent computer and software skills.
As many designers work freelance from home, they are confident to work independently.
They need to be comfortable being team players. Each piece of design is often a link in a longer chain; designers need to communicate.
If you’re thinking of pursuing a career in design, consider settling on a particular niche and gaining as much experience as possible while building a portfolio.
Graphic designer degrees are a requirement in most positions and take 2-4 years to achieve.
Animation designers should hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Animation, Computer Graphics, Fine Art, or something related.
Finally
One thing is definite; no matter the type of designer, they all share a passion for creating a product or service that satisfies end-users and meets, if not surpasses, all business targets.
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