Why Graphic Design?
I made the decision to study graphic design roughly a year or so ago. I had focused on painting and doing gallery shows for several years only to find myself illustrating with paint rather than really painting. I started illustrating primarily working on gig posters for local and national bands but discovered I wanted to be able to do more than just illustrate designs. Graphic design has always seemed so endless and capable of absorbing everything in the world around me into it be it a photograph or a scrap of written work. I was also very fortunate to have good friends who were already working as designers and illustrators who I met with weekly to crit and discus various forms of art. This encouraged me strongly to make the jump into Graphic Design and pursue this dream. I call it a dream because prior to this I spent much of my time as a business major working as a licensed insurance agent. I knew it was not the path for me when I would bring my art supplies to the office to work on posters instead ;)
Response to Type and Image, Meggs, Page viii
I think everything and everything we have ever done or witnessed as human beings makes up the whole of us as people and thus forms the core of inspiration in which we create visual forms. For example the article cites these as diverse elements, signs, symbols, words, and pictures being assembled into the message. Meggs, is explaining that graphic design exists to enrich the experience of the viewer. “At a time when Western nations are evolving from industrial to information cultures, a comprehensive understanding of our communicative forms and graphic design becomes increasingly critical.” This statement makes me very excited to be here.
Response to Graphic Design Sources, Hiebert, p 9-10
I have to admit before this article I didn’t think of graphic design as primarily a form of interface design. I understand connection between users and products of course but not in such a light. My immediate first thought went straight to the “current usage”. I can really appreciate the paragraph on style and how it can become a crutch. I found while illustrating posters some clients weren’t open to new ideas to me so much as they were looking for recreations of prior work they liked. This gave me very little room to grow. This article has been a good reminder that even though we enjoy learning design, we should have a respect for difficulty that makes what we’re working hard to become matter.
Response to Stefan Sagmeister Interview
“Work your ass off. Do as much as possible. Figure out what you really like and get good at it.”
This is my favorite Sagmeister quote. I actually have this taped to my desktop computer at home. I think he has a very intresting perspective on design and has produced some really fascinating work. His style of making the process visible in the final product I believe is a very honest way to work. Making every step of the design process as important as the final product. That poster he did for the AIGA in which he had his intern or secretary I forget cut the words into his skin. I remember seeing an interview when he mentioned that whenever he sun tan’s it stands out haha. The level to which he dedicates himself to his work is very inspiring.
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