Comments on: The Most Important Thing About Graphic Design is… http://creativecurio.com/2008/09/the-most-important-thing-about-graphic-design-is/ Learn, discuss and explore the realm of Graphic Design. Tue, 10 May 2011 01:43:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: James Brownhttp://creativecurio.com/2008/09/the-most-important-thing-about-graphic-design-is/comment-page-1/#comment-84124 James Brown Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:19:21 +0000 http://creativecurio.com/?p=304#comment-84124 Well, I think learning about the Elements and Principles is the most significant. This is what I apply in my life. And thus for me, it applies also to whatever designs. Well, I think learning about the Elements and Principles is the most significant. This is what I apply in my life. And thus for me, it applies also to whatever designs.

]]> By: Steve Tianohttp://creativecurio.com/2008/09/the-most-important-thing-about-graphic-design-is/comment-page-1/#comment-15852 Steve Tiano Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:13:31 +0000 http://creativecurio.com/?p=304#comment-15852 Lauren, a textbook--boring or not--there's a captive audience. So you really have to scotch it up badly to drive away readers. I mean, the students the book is assigned to simply MUST use it. Many textbooks are almost sold in advance because of who their authors are, often known authorities in their fields. So the designer has to do a pretty horrible job to drive away sales and readers.That said, it's a good habit to get into, working to make the book comfortably readable and not distracting the reader from the author's work. Lauren, a textbook–boring or not–there’s a captive audience. So you really have to scotch it up badly to drive away readers. I mean, the students the book is assigned to simply MUST use it. Many textbooks are almost sold in advance because of who their authors are, often known authorities in their fields. So the designer has to do a pretty horrible job to drive away sales and readers.

That said, it’s a good habit to get into, working to make the book comfortably readable and not distracting the reader from the author’s work.

]]> By: LaurenMariehttp://creativecurio.com/2008/09/the-most-important-thing-about-graphic-design-is/comment-page-1/#comment-15842 LaurenMarie Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:39:26 +0000 http://creativecurio.com/?p=304#comment-15842 <strong>Andrew</strong>, Hehe, I agree that <a href="http://www.successful-blog.com/1/the-5-hats-of-graphic-designers/" title="The 5 Hats of Graphic Designers" rel="nofollow">we wear many hats</a>.<strong>mitch</strong>, We do indeed have a lot to choose from in the design field. But I think that good employers/clients (and the ones you want to work for) will know that a jack of all trades is a master of none and there is value in hiring a specialist.<strong>Steve</strong>, That's a good rule. I wonder if a good designer can also keep the reader interested just by the design (I'm thinking of all those booooooring textbooks in college!)<strong>Hank</strong>, Wow, that's quite a full plate of skills! I worked in the non-profit industry for a bit and I had to be many things, too--webmaster, print designer, copywriter, emergency receptionist. All these little things we dabble in help us understand better whatever it is we do best. I've see lots of designers say a great way to keep your designs fresh is to have other interests! I bet you learned a lot about typography from being a sign painter. How fun! Andrew,
Hehe, I agree that we wear many hats.

mitch,
We do indeed have a lot to choose from in the design field. But I think that good employers/clients (and the ones you want to work for) will know that a jack of all trades is a master of none and there is value in hiring a specialist.

Steve,
That’s a good rule. I wonder if a good designer can also keep the reader interested just by the design (I’m thinking of all those booooooring textbooks in college!)

Hank,
Wow, that’s quite a full plate of skills! I worked in the non-profit industry for a bit and I had to be many things, too–webmaster, print designer, copywriter, emergency receptionist. All these little things we dabble in help us understand better whatever it is we do best. I’ve see lots of designers say a great way to keep your designs fresh is to have other interests! I bet you learned a lot about typography from being a sign painter. How fun!

]]> By: Hank Foxhttp://creativecurio.com/2008/09/the-most-important-thing-about-graphic-design-is/comment-page-1/#comment-15819 Hank Fox Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:35:00 +0000 http://creativecurio.com/?p=304#comment-15819 I design brochures and such, but over the years I've picked up so many adjunct skills -- design, writing, proofreading/editing, photography, website coding -- I sometimes wonder what to call myself. I used to be a sign painter too, but I dropped that for lack of time and shop space.I've learned not to tell prospective clients up front everything I do. It just seems like overkill, or bragging. I even have separate business cards for some of it.As to the age thing, I doubt I'd have been able to pick up the whole package of skills, or maintain them, at a much younger age -- web work alone could keep you busy for a lifetime. Currently I work in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Flash ... and I don't think I'm really great at any of it. I design brochures and such, but over the years I’ve picked up so many adjunct skills — design, writing, proofreading/editing, photography, website coding — I sometimes wonder what to call myself. I used to be a sign painter too, but I dropped that for lack of time and shop space.

I’ve learned not to tell prospective clients up front everything I do. It just seems like overkill, or bragging. I even have separate business cards for some of it.

As to the age thing, I doubt I’d have been able to pick up the whole package of skills, or maintain them, at a much younger age — web work alone could keep you busy for a lifetime. Currently I work in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Flash … and I don’t think I’m really great at any of it.

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