The ever growing, ever changing definition of graphic design stymies those who seek to categorize the position. Interestingly enough, the US Department of Labor has provided a very precise and detailed definition of the nature of graphic design. Paraphrased below:
Graphic designers – sometimes known as graphic artists – analyze, plan and create visual answers to communication problems. Graphic designers seek the most concise and effective method to get the intended message across, in both electronic and print media, using elements of photography, animation, type, illustration and color. Various print and layout techniques are also utilized.
It’s a graphic designer’s job to create and develop the layout and design of newspapers, magazines, journals, promotional displays, marketing brochures and packaging. They design logos for businesses and products, develop environmental graphics (signage and sign systems), and the credits that appear after and before movies and television programs. Increasingly, graphic designers are developing material for the internet, including web pages, multimedia projects and interactive media.
The First Step in a New Design
Creating a new design is an exciting and inventive process. Your first step as a graphic designer involves assessing the needs of your client, including what message the client is trying to get across and how the product or service will appeal to users or customers.
Graphic designers consider the physical, cultural, cognitive and social factors in executing and planning the design for the client’s target audience. Designers collect relevant data through meeting with art directors, creative directors and clients – additionally, through the graphic designer’s own independent research – then mould that data into an illustration of the design. Graphic designers prepare layouts or sketches – either through the aid of a computer or by hand – then select sound, artwork, animation, typeface, photography and colors for the design.
Designers then make a presentation of the finished design to the client for the client’s approval or rejection. Once the client’s given the go ahead, graphic designers complete the design for deployment in the public sphere.
Graphic designers, at time, hire and supervise assistant graphic designers. This frees up the graphic designer to networking, cultivating new industry contacts, selecting new equipment for use in graphic design, and upgrading existing communications equipment and computer hardware.
Final Thoughts on the Definition of Graphic Design
The above definition, provided by the United States Department of Labor, is hardly the only definition you should consider. But it does provide important insight into how your government views your field.
