What Is Graphic Design?

What Is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is often associated with images. Billboards and magazine ads show us that designers
can speak volumes without using the written word. And yet, graphic design is not just about creating
powerful picturesthat's what artists, photographers, and illustrators do. It's about communication. In
fact, "visual communication" is the most accurate way to describe the purpose of graphic design.
Clients and employers approach the designer with some information that must be communicated to a
wide audience. The designer's mission (should he or she choose to accept it) is to bring order and
clarity to this information so that others may understand it. You might think of a designer as a special
kind of translator who turns dreary old words into an inviting, accessible visual message.


In today's vast information jungle, this is no small challenge. Amid the neon blaze of Times Square or
downtown Tokyo, or in the luxurious, glossy expanse of a fashion magazine, simply organizing
information is no longer enough. Designers must discover clever metaphors and creative solutions to
make their work stand out and grab the attention they are asked to grab.