A lot of people ask me, “Hey, just what is a graphic designer?” And I reply, “First of all, my name is not ‘Hey’. And secondly, I’m not entirely sure.” Don’t get me wrong, I know what I’m doing, but I don’t really know how ‘graphic design’ would be defined. There isn’t an easy answer, despite what WikiPedia has to say on the subject (and it has a considerable article there).
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form (i.e., printers, programmers, signmakers, etc.) – undertaken in order to convey a specific message (or messages) to a targeted audience. The term “graphic design” can also refer to a number of artistic and professional disciplines that focus on visual communication and presentation. The field as a whole is also often referred to as Visual Communication or Communication Design. Various methods are used to create and combine words, symbols, and images to create a visual representation of ideas and messages. A graphic designer may use typography, visual arts and page layout techniques to produce the final result. Graphic design often refers to both the process (designing) by which the communication is created and the products (designs) which are generated. – WikiPedia.org
I think the definition is more subjective than objective. For instance, I do a lot of work with clip-art and royalty-free images, manipulating them and changing them to suit the needs of each product I design. Then again, I do a lot of work with typestyles and using type as a graphic element. What it comes down to, I guess, is making peoples’ ideas reality and turning them into something tangible that sells the idea of their business. In print. Mostly.
I may have failed to mention that I am also a web designer. Yes, this is my web site; yes, I created the graphics on it, but the site design is definitely not mine. But I liked this design, for whatever aesthetic reason. It showcases some of my design work and gives you and other potential clients an idea of what I am capable. That’s an obvious lead into… if you need me for one of your projects, call me – email me – yell out your window if you’re near my office/home. I’d be glad to work with you to make your ideas tangible.
So, if you want to see some of my work, check out the Client page and the Design gallery. If you want to hire me, try the Feedback page. Or just call me - 830 421 7093 - I’ll answer, or I’ll get back to you. You know the drill.
