Graphic Designer, just what the heck is that?

What is Graphic Design?

I get this question all the time from friends, relatives and clients. “What is graphic design, just what exactly do you do?”

When I try to explain it to them, it usually goes something like this.

“See this ad?” “I designed it.”

“Oh, you took that cool photo.”

“No.”

“Then you wrote that great headline.”

“No.”

“Well you must have done that nice illustration.”

“Uh, no.”

“Well, then what exactly do you do?”

As graphic designers, it’s our job to take elements such as, photography, copy or illustration and assemble them into design that effectively communicates a message. Whether its print, web or product-design, graphic designers create visuals that are pleasing to the eye while communicating an idea.

The history of graphic design goes back as long as man has been communicating. Cave paintings found in Lascaux dated around 10,000 B.C. are some of the earliest examples of graphic design. Images painted to convey a story or historical event.

Egyptians used hieroglyphics, pictures representing a word, syllable or sound to convey their writings.

Monks from the 14^th century created beautiful illustrated manuscripts combining artistic illustration with writing to create some incredible works of art.

Today, graphic design is commonplace. It is everywhere you look, every piece of furniture you sit on, every movie or television you watch. Graphic designers influence the groceries you buy, and the soda you drink.

Almost anything you look at in your daily life, a graphic designer has created the look to get you to purchase a product or service.

So when someone asks me what graphic design is, I just say look around you, books, magazines, computers, desks, posters, business cards, Music CD covers, soda bottles, coffee cups, pens, DVD’s, toilet paper packages …ect. Anything human made two-dimensional or three-dimensional that communicates an idea, a graphic designer is responsible.

As you can see, as long as human beings have been communicating, graphic design has had and continues to have one of the most important roles in human history. Communication!

© 2009 Michael Burke