This summer I renewed my subscription to Print magazine for the first time in quite a few years. Since each year a higher percentage of Connection Graphics projects are web based, our focus and research tends to be more directed to keeping current with electronic solutions and techniques. A Print direct mail piece convinced me I deserved to indulge my love of print design.

While luxuriating in the recent issue an article by Rick Poynor resonated with my thoughts on the evolution of graphic design.  Although graphic designers have been creating since the 1930s, I remember a mere decade ago having to explain to people what my job was as a graphic designer. While working in the corporate climate my designations were visual communication director, publication specialist, marketing director — under all guises, my tasks in each position were virtually the same – a rose by any other name…

Today graphic design is a burgeoning industry. Everywhere you look, in every media, throughout the world, viewers are influenced by strategic and creative graphic design solutions. From website design, to packaging, print literature, billboards and video, graphic design is in the heart of all brand development and marketing communications.

Our customers and the current work force have steadily raised the bar of expectations of graphic design. In this digital world a graphic designer can’t just excel in logo design, they must have a strong grasp of website design and digital design solutions.  A designer has always been a problem solver and visual magician and now we must also be product developers, typesetters, coders and more. The beauty is, we can and we are. Successful graphic designers welcome the challenge, we know the generations will be even more discerning in their product and service choices because they have been raised on design since day one. Customers will continue to challenge our ability to balance creative visuals with clear messages that hit the mark.

Some may say this evolutions of the industry requires a new name, that graphic design is now an outmoded term. More artistic expression, interdisciplinary skills and reasoning may justify this change but I am one graphic designer who is grateful for the new discerning and savvy clientele. I especially appreciate not having to explain what I really do for a living anymore.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 31st, 2011 at 9:47 pm and is filed under General, Graphic Design and Web design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.