A minimalist summary inspired by way too many art history classes.
Graphic Design is, by definition, finding solutions to communication problems or using visual concepts to convey messages to an audience. Sounds technical, boring, even “power-pointy”. But Graphic Design is so much more, it is a science with proven formulas, a creative force that continues to evolve as society and technology grow. An original set of rules or principles adopted from The Bauhaus, and carried through generations are the building blocks of design. Scientists have the periodic table and Designers have the Color Wheel.
Where is Graphic Design Today?
Graphic Design is everywhere around us today, from the very screen you’re reading this from to the voter’s ballot. Yes, type is graphic design. Although the principles of Graphic Design have not changed, the tools used to practice the art have done so very much. In the beginnings of Graphic Design as a job, designer’s tools included rulers, paper, protractors, French curves, utility knives, and many others.
Today, most of these tools have a digital counterpart built into design software to facilitate the creative process. Designers in today’s industry work digitally, while still retaining the pencil and paper as a tool to sketch out ideas and take notes. Designers used to carry big heavy portfolios with all their physical work when going on interviews. Today most designers have a portfolio that lives on the web.
So, what is good design?
Good Graphic Design includes some sort of callback to the original principles: contrast, hierarchy, scale, texture, unity, repetition, alignment, etc. Good Graphic Design is ethical, it does not copy, does not lie, and does not offend. Artificial Intelligence is of course a very heated topic when discussing ethical design. The consensus agrees that while creating images and designs using only AI is unethical, the real issue lies in compensating the artists whose art or style were used to teach AI.
Human interaction still plays a huge part in creating using Ai tools so, no, machines are not taking over jobs just yet. Hybrid design using templates or generated content has become more acceptable with many companies now moving their operations to software platforms like Canva.
The Future of Design
In the next few blogs, I will honor what I believe is great design, from both a technical and personal point of view. My goal is to create an inspiring, curated collection of images and posts; while at the same time garnering attention for the up-and-coming creatives that designed them. Lastly, as with any form of art, good design is ultimately in the eye of the beholder. This leniency, I believe, is needed to carry forward new concepts, new trends, and possibly new design principles.
Who knows? Are we the innovators? Is it time for new design principles? Only time can tell.
