Introduction to Design...

Yes this is my first post, I'm on a forum about to explore a world where my clients work in and I'm smiling...why? Because I'm about to embark on a journey and to start it off I want to give something away to the community, there isn't really a section that talks about design in general so I decided off topic is where all the cool people hang out...right?

So let's get on with it! What is Graphic Design? What does a Graphic Designer do? What should you expect from one?

Well speaking as a Designer (5 years+ experience) Graphic Design is an Art and a Science put together. At it's essence, it's all about communicating with people, Visually transmitting an idea to an audience. Of course this is all up for debate but I want you to understand that a Design's purpose is to communicate.

Now let's move onto what can help you, as an Internet Marketer, when it comes to dealing with designs and designers alike. What should you look for?

Good design starts with thought and ideas, what you get in a brief and what your client wants can be 2 completely different things! So when communicating with designers, remember to build up context, what's the project your working on? Who's the demographic? What kind of feelings and emotions do you want your end user to feel (noticing the similarity between copy writing and design yet?). These are all important, if you can describe the environment that the designer needs to cater for, the easier it is for them to be able give you exactly what you want.

But what about skill? Design Skill is extremely broad, from your basic ability to comprehend space and objects to intricate images...so how do you know if a designer is skilled or if something has good design?

First of all think about the difference between art and design: design has purpose. Take a look at the Designer's previous work, does it fulfil it's purpose? Does it communicate to you exactly what needs to be said?

Now think about what it looks like, your taste of what looks good aesthetically is different from mine, so make sure you have a rough idea of what your visual taste is. Do you like simplicity? Are you really digging that web 2.0 look?

Design is just as much about restraint as it is about creative freedom, the more you tell a designer in the brief, the better. Know exactly what you want and instruct your Designer with as many details, examples and references as possible and you'll find that once the work's completed, an idea is being communicated with incredible style...

Thanks for reading and I wish all the best with your endeavours in Design!

P.S. If you are going to copy or spin this post into an article...at least give me credit!