It is crazy to think about, but we have never really lived without graphic design in our lives!  In history, before languages were even established, a community would communicate through shared meaning in images and symbols. While this might not be considered graphic design, it really is in its earliest form a small section of this industry’s starting point. 

Graphic design has drastically changed since its beginning stages in the 1400s!  In the early 1920s with free-hand art work on pieces of paper and in the 1940s to 1960s with the War Propaganda, Civil Rights posters and painted billboard ads on the side of buildings throughout a city. 

Omaha Media Group has witnessed throughout the years the rapid changes in graphic design with responsive, modern websites to Digital Marketing strategies.

The field of graphic design has also been immensely impacted by the fast-paced digital revolution. From animations to videos on websites and everything else in-between, how graphic design has changed can be thanks to the digital world! 

A graphic designer works on a range of projects at Omaha Media Group from social media images for clients to website concepts that are developed into a real life website! 

Here’s how graphic design has changed throughout the years and in the business world. 

The history of graphic design 

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How has graphic design changed companies to increase their overall investment?

In 2007, it was estimated that the average consumer was seeing 5,000 different advertisements each and every day. In 2020, it is estimated that the average consumer can see upwards of 10,000 advertisements each day. 

As this continues to increase with millions of dollars spent each year on advertising strategies, companies now have the ability to easily increase their exposure with smartphones and the Internet. 

This provides a company with the ability to spend money, evaluate and strategize on what graphics are being viewed and ones that consumers prefer. A company can run different ads on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and other digital platforms to see if option A or option B is what consumers prefer. 

With this in mind, a marketer and company can digitally examine which graphics and other content are attracting more attention than the rest – which are receiving more likes, shares, comments, and saves - and eventually, find out which generate the most leads and convert potential clients into customers. 

Realizing this, many companies have invested a considerable amount in graphic design, especially for the creation of digital content, all in hopes that this would result in an increased communication with customers, including real-time feedback and analytics.

 On average, a company can spend as little as $74 an hour on a graphic designer to $350 an hour for a more experienced graphic designer. 

Why is a company willing to spend more money on a graphic design agency or freelancer? This is because design is time consuming, and company employees create about 8.5 presentations a month and this does not include images, logos or other miscellaneous design work that will be needed. 

The combination of clever content marketing and graphic design in the field of digital  marketing is also on the rise. Perhaps the best example for this is the hotel industry, as it has been heavily impacted by this trend.

 Hotel websites are no longer just for making reservations. They now serve as a platform to show off their impressive interiors and amenities, which is possible due to the perfect blend of technology, creativity and outstanding graphics and design tools. 

The rise of the outsource graphic design

How has graphic design changed their own industry? Graphic design changed the way consumers view content, and there has been an increase in outsource graphic designers and agencies. They can provide a company with the design tools and graphics needed, but not have someone in house. 

This is a huge advantage for both the employer and the employee. This is because a company can save on renting a large space and pay a flat fee for the services they are searching for. 

Freelance graphic designers can work from anywhere. All they need is an Internet connection, a laptop and  design software. This allows for a company to hire a freelancer which can be a bit cheaper for smaller companies. 

As of now, it is clear that the industry of graphic design will only develop further with the advance of technology. It will always remain an essential tool for brands to drive their profits, as well as a medium of artistic and creative expression.