I am interested to know what you think graphic design is

 

I want to ask you if could tell the difference between someone that draws pictures for a living and a graphic designer

 

Should the graphic design title be given to just anyone who happens to know how to use photoshop, illustrator or any other graphic program?

 

Is it nesasary for them to understand the theories associated with design as well as understand that graphic design is about communication, it's not about pretty pictures?

 

You could have someone with a large portfolio of logos for example and some good comments from clients, but not a single client knows anything about graphic design and not a single logo means anything.. Are you still a graphic designer?

 

Do you just need some work experience to call yourself a graphic designer, or can you just set yourself up and use the title?

 

If working for a company and you don't know what graphic design really is and neither does the company who is showing you how to 'design' how do you know or they know what they are being taught is right?

 

I am simply fed up with people who claim to be graphic designers but don't ask the most basic questions when commenting on other people's work, for example the basic who, what, why, where, when,

 

Who is it for? What is it? Why is it a good idea? Where is it to be placed? When will it be used? the simplest of questions to give a good start in critique, so what is graphic design?

i pondered a long time before calling myself a graphic designer - as a self taught (well +peer learning on web and in work placements).

 

for me it's form and function working inextricably as one in order to give a message or tell a 'story' to insprire people to feel a certain way and/or perform a certain action - to instill trust and desire to buy a product.

 

I assume this arose from your logo post

 

often times people will have a gut reaction to something and say they don't like the font or this bit is to big but don't have the language or deeper understanding to explain why (me included often ) which is then frustrating for designer.

 

i think without the basic who, what, why, where, when then you may have art but you will never have (good) design.

 

cars are a good example of good or bad design - they may perform as the best cars in the world but if aeasthetically it's a turn off for customers then they won't buy it. conversely it may look pretty but if it has an awkard driving position or it's too noisy for example then that may be a deal breaker too.

 

i was going to quote the "as useful as a chocolate teapot" too but it seems scientist with nothing better to do actually made one that made tea without melting, well not too much

i pondered a long time before calling myself a graphic designer - as a self taught (well +peer learning on web and in work placements).

 

for me it's form and function working inextricably as one in order to give a message or tell a 'story' to insprire people to feel a certain way and/or perform a certain action - to instill trust and desire to buy a product.

 

I assume this arose from your logo post

 

often times people will have a gut reaction to something and say they don't like the font or this bit is to big but don't have the language or deeper understanding to explain why (me included often ) which is then frustrating for designer.

 

i think without the basic who, what, why, where, when then you may have art but you will never have (good) design.

 

cars are a good example of good or bad design - they may perform as the best cars in the world but if aeasthetically it's a turn off for customers then they won't buy it. conversely it may look pretty but if it has an awkard driving position or it's too noisy for example then that may be a deal breaker too.

 

i was going to quote the "as useful as a chocolate teapot" too but it seems scientist with nothing better to do actually made one that made tea without melting, well not too much

Agreed 100%, you understand design quite well so yes, I would call you a designer (I remember seeing the chocolate teapot thing too, spoilt one of my fav phrases lol)

Whilst "graphic design" relates to the visual elements of a product, it's purpose is no different to design overall, that is to create something that is intended to accomplish goals that are aligned to the strategy of the organisation that commissioned it. It is implicit, therefore, that a graphic designer, must be able to understand an organisation's strategy and translate it into a finished work that supports it.

 

Like many specialisms, I think graphic design is part nature and part nurture. Unless you have that part of the brain that can translate a requirement into a concept and components that meet it, no amount of training will produce the finished article. Unfortunately, I don't, so I am forever in awe of those that do.

Whilst "graphic design" relates to the visual elements of a product, it's purpose is no different to design overall, that is to create something that is intended to accomplish goals that are aligned to the strategy of the organisation that commissioned it. It is implicit, therefore, that a graphic designer, must be able to understand an organisation's strategy and translate it into a finished work that supports it.

 

Like many specialisms, I think graphic design is part nature and part nurture. Unless you have that part of the brain that can translate a requirement into a concept and components that meet it, no amount of training will produce the finished article. Unfortunately, I don't, so I am forever in awe of those that do.

 

All true, there is a little more though, you cannot stop at 'accomplish goals' you have to understand how that is done, the bottom line I think is communication between a client and their audience, its in effect talking to a clients audience without word, so they get the message you want to send.

It's difficult to discuss such a complex topic in a foreign language but I will give it a go because it is so interesting
After studying this for years I've reached the conclution that: (wait for it...)

The purpose of graphic design is to enhance communication based on knowledge of aesthetics and knowledge of patterns of perception.

 

These perception patters can be universal conventions or more or less intuitive behaviours which is the foundation for product design.
Example: A user turns up the volume by moving the slider from left to right.

The product designer need to adapt this convention when designing a radio.

The aesthetics of product design therefore often goes hand in hand with functionalism.

Architects and designers of the 20. century's modernism lived by the rule “FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION”.

Today’s UI-designers has adapted this strict rule because post-modern, ironic comments to existential problems just isn't a quality on a 320x480 px display.

 

Does graphic design differ from product design then?

Product design can also have emphasis on communicative values mostly by trying to signal uniqueness or similar branding values but with graphic design communication outweighs everything.
A graphic designer must know the business objective and selling points/values of the sender, the preferences of the target audience and have a professional understanding of the chosen media. Designing anything without researching these factors will very likely cause “noise” in the communication and not trigger the desired response.

 

EDIT: In the whole art vs. craftsmanship debate I lean towards that graphic design is a craft that can be learned (at least I hope to learn to master it one day)

Edited September 25, 201411 yr by Nillervision

It's difficult to discuss such a complex topic in a foreign language but I will give it a go because it is so interesting

After studying this for years I've reached the conclution that: (wait for it...)

The purpose of graphic design is to enhance communication based on knowledge of aesthetics and knowledge of patterns of perception.

 

These perception patters can be universal conventions or more or less intuitive behaviours which is the foundation for product design.

Example: A user turns up the volume by moving the slider from left to right.

The product designer need to adapt this convention when designing a radio.

The aesthetics of product design therefore often goes hand in hand with functionalism.

Architects and designers of the 20. century's modernism lived by the rule FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION.

Todays UI-designers has adapted this strict rule because post-modern, ironic comments to existential problems just isn't a quality on a 320x480 px display.

 

Does graphic design differ from product design then?

Product design can also have emphasis on communicative values mostly by trying to signal uniqueness or similar branding values but with graphic design communication outweighs everything.

A graphic designer must know the business objective and selling points/values of the sender, the preferences of the target audience and have a professional understanding of the chosen media. Designing anything without researching these factors will very likely cause noise in the communication and not trigger the desired response.

 

EDIT: In the whole art vs. craftsmanship debate I lean towards that graphic design is a craft that can be learned (at least I hope to learn to master it one day)

Nice write up, can't disagree with anything here.

 

It's difficult to discuss such a complex topic in a foreign language but I will give it a go because it is so interesting

After studying this for years I've reached the conclution that: (wait for it...)

The purpose of graphic design is to enhance communication based on knowledge of aesthetics and knowledge of patterns of perception.

These perception patters can be universal conventions or more or less intuitive behaviours which is the foundation for product design.

Example: A user turns up the volume by moving the slider from left to right.

The product designer need to adapt this convention when designing a radio.

The aesthetics of product design therefore often goes hand in hand with functionalism.

Architects and designers of the 20. century's modernism lived by the rule “FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION”.

Today’s UI-designers has adapted this strict rule because post-modern, ironic comments to existential problems just isn't a quality on a 320x480 px display.

Does graphic design differ from product design then?

Product design can also have emphasis on communicative values mostly by trying to signal uniqueness or similar branding values but with graphic design communication outweighs everything.

A graphic designer must know the business objective and selling points/values of the sender, the preferences of the target audience and have a professional understanding of the chosen media. Designing anything without researching these factors will very likely cause “noise” in the communication and not trigger the desired response.

EDIT: In the whole art vs. craftsmanship debate I lean towards that graphic design is a craft that can be learned (at least I hope to learn to master it one day)

I totally agree with your description. It is big topic to discuss and everyone has different point of view regarding Graphic design.

Graphis designing is a methid of communication or solving problem through the images and through the designing.