by Fred Jung

Created on: August 25, 2010

“Just make it pretty.”

I just wanted to smack the project manager that thinks our job is just to make it pretty. Should I put bows on it or something?

A graphic designer is an architect of information creating an experience that interacts with the viewer. Well I am done.

I am just kidding. We take information and we organize it in a way so that people get the message from it. Imagine if a lawyer designed a package for a product. It would be covered in text covering every inch with words like “thou, in accordance to, and if you feel like suing.” A viewer would not know what is in the package and be overwhelmed by so much information.

A designer would put importance on the product itself using its name in a visually appealing font to catch your eye and images to showcase the product in its glory. Then we would use a hierarchy of information to communicate to the viewer what is more important to view. It has to have design aesthetics so it can rise above other competition. A good design would convey a whole lot of information in a short period of time and yet entice them to read more if they want to.

There are many types of graphic designers working on different mediums. Print designers work on materials like posters, brochures, direct mail, postcards, books, and all other materials. Package designers work on packages for things from toys packages to wine bottles to those cool containers for the iPods. Web designers work on websites from the corporate that conveys information in a professional manner to more fun like Disney which attracts children and families. Everywhere you look, you’ll see something that has been designed by a graphic designer. Well unless you live in a cave.

It is a tough field with many designers competing for jobs. It is not easy and some people do not understand what we do and they think that a person who just learned Photoshop a couple days ago is good enough to do the job. Others think we are miracle workers and wait until the last minute to give us the job and say they need completely printed materials for a big meeting by the next day. Many times we have to make the miracles happen, while others times we have to explain to them the concepts of time and physics that some things cannot be done. We have to keep up with technology and the latest trends or we would be left behind while more savvy designers progress.

Well, I hope this has given you insight. Now I have to get back to getting some bows to make something pretty.

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