Designs come and go, but the best design examples inspire graphic designers to make their own. Some designs are so good that you can’t help but admire them from afar. The importance of a good graphic design example can make or break an opportunity, a conversion, or a marketing campaign. And there’s not enough time to talk about the greatest designs that exist on the internet. So, we decided to compile the best graphic design examples we’ve seen and hopefully, it can encourage you to jump on the drawing board.

1. This plant identification app

A good graphic design example that expresses simple narratives includes this plant-identification app. This design shows how to use the app in a clear, direct manner while maintaining an aesthetic that plant lovers and photographers would definitely love. Becky Wood uses a hierarchy to show how the three levels of action are to be taken and ties the narrative together through repetition. An AGDA prize finalist, this project captured the eyes of its many users and design critics alike.

2. Afterclap Illustrations

Illustrations are also a great element to combine with graphic design. Similar to the first post, this design by Afterclap Illustrations offers clear, direct messaging regarding what their product or service is about. The illustration enhances the experience by adding personality to the messaging.

3. Illustration of running athlete

Another illustration, this piece by Mariya Popova shows how simple illustrations can create motion through memorable graphic design examples. A counterpoint to hyperrealistic art, simple illustrations like these often miss out on details on purpose. But the goal is not to be minimalist, rather, it’s to focus on the narrative and the message. These kinds of graphic designs are not simple to make (despite being called simple illustrations).

4. Remote job graphic design

This remote work illustration by Nickelfox (yes, we love illustrations) creates an artistic flair, cleverly showing the funny parts of working from home and the benefits they bring for both the company and employee (or rather the one looking for the job). Using the sine wave almost tells the story within itself, separating the person to the monitor. And to top it off, the different shades between the two scenarios convey the message of why people love remote work. Truly, this is a great graphic design example.

5. Another graphic line design

Here’s another example of an illustration and an S-line in the middle (we’re not apologizing for loving illustrations). But this design doesn’t convey a story through the lines, rather it uses the spaces to highlight the design with respect to the text. The text is placed on the white space making it easy to read, while the illustration conveying the service offered and the call to action button is blue, making it easy for the audience (and possible customers) to understand what the website is all about.

6. Pure graphic line design

Here’s another example of graphic line design but this uses lines more purely. It speaks for itself.

7. FLEUR

This graphic design for FLEUR uses a floral background with geometric forms, text, and lines. Judit Besze creates a stunning example of texture-based contrast in this example. She uses the hierarchy to provide more depth and interest to the design. And the arrangement of each element isn’t done without purpose, making it striking to the viewer.

8. Alignment and balance

Another great piece demonstrating alignment and balance. Created by Hiro Okuda, this design became a finalist for AGDA Award

9. Fruitea Friends

Wai San Woo uses alignment and balance perfectly for this Fruitea Friends packaging design. 

10. Festival N°6 3-day pass

An award-winning graphic design for the Festival N°6 which is an annual festival held in North Wales. The use of shapes and consistency though simple speaks volumes.

11. Horror film festival

This illustration by Kory Schulz uses already known characters like Dracula and Frankenstein and his bride. A promotion for BFI Movie Festival, the poster gives an emotional feeling, with the characters looking at the viewer directly in the eye, perfectly fitting the horror genre.

12. 3D Illustrations

We’ve shown many samples of great illustrations. But many other great graphic design examples take inspiration from other styles. One practical concept you may have encountered many times is 3D graphic design. 3D graphic design has trended a few times and is still noticeably popular nowadays. An example of a good 3D graphic design is the one you see above. Realistic and modern, this takes inspiration from realistic concepts and turned into this graphic design example. Graphic design can take ideas from real-life items that we see and make them convey a story through designs.

13. Constrasting coffee

Award-winning Brandon Lee, a Shillington grad, expertly highlights three types of coffee from various nations in this product box design by using contrast and repetition. To contrast the text and icons, he makes use of vivid colors and straightforward geometric designs. The image asks the viewer to look and differentiate how the subsequent one differs, making each graphic design example distinguishable from each other.

14. Post as box design

This post-like clever graphic design by Forough Abadian makes use of contrast and repetition to convey these products come from Italy.

15. Making Spam marketable

This Judy DeMarco design makes use of repetition as well, marketing Spam to younger audiences. Short and direct to the point. 

16. Fashion and graphic design

Bold and experimental, this graphic design example is also from Brandon Lee. The portraits work in conjunction with the added design, acting like a mask or a second face on top of the supposed real one. In juxtaposition, there is some form of repetition with the shapes. 

17. New York design

Another bold and adventurous graphic design sample, this piece by Shawna X was created to reflect the New York scene.

18. Metallic colors

Another trendy graphic design concept, this piece by Sergey Varmir uses metallic colors on a 3D illustration to add depth and realism to the design. The domination of gold adds the symbolism of excellence and creativity and uniqueness and as it overpowers everything else, creates a unique vision for the viewer.

19. Typography

Typography is a good way to show a message without showing too much. In addition, it’s a good mixture between content and design that you can find multiple creative ways to illustrate a message or convey emotion without being too extra. It may seem like it’s just a word and making it fancy, but the above example (Elias Aken) executes typography so well, that it sparks interest from the viewer.

20. Typography again

Here’s another typography example, but using large fonts. Take a look at the website here for the full image.

21. Vintage 80s wedding

Vintage designs can be used to invoke emotions like nostalgia. This graphic design example makes great use of the 80s vibes.

22. Modern vintage branding

This graphic design by Mom and Popcorn also touches on vintage looks, to help connect with their audience on a nostalgic, emotional level. 

23. Email templates

An example from email designs, we think this is great due to its clear-cut, direct-to-the-point, and engaging artwork and copy. The woman looks directly at the viewer, the copy is engaging, and the call to action button is clear.

24. Minimalistic approach

Here’s an example of flat icons for a modern, minimalistic approach to graphic design. Many companies have been shifting to minimalistic designs to attract and engage as many customers as they can.

25. Clever color gradients

And our last example: color gradients. Colors are and will always be an important part of graphics. So if all else fails, it’s never wrong to go back to your basics.

More great graphic design examples

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