Graphic design grows increasingly broad as a subject area. Every visual media channel (TV, print, digital) requires a different set of design skills. Print designers will create proofs for newspaper, billboard and other outdoor briefs. Motion graphic designers will work in TV and film production studios and web designers will create designs for websites and advertising banner campaigns.

The different schools of graphic design are very different to one another in that the technical contraints are entirely different, and the type of person designs are required to attract can vary significantly. Graphic designers will usually work from a brief, detailing the work that needs to be done. It is up to the designer to create a suitable design whilst still conforming to the constraints of the media.