Lesson 9 - Digital Media Design. What is this Graphic Design? Well that is hard to say. Yes it is, but it is more.

Design - to mark out, define from, 1) to plan; make preliminary sketches of; sketch a pattern or outline for. 2) to form (plans, etc.) in the mind; contrive. 3) to plan to do; purpose; intend 4) to intend or set apart for some purpose.

Notes from the Federal Design Assembly

• Design may be considered as an instrument of organization, medium for persuasion, a means of relating objects to people, and a method for improving safety and efficiency.
• Design must perform in response to human needs, design performance should be demonstrable or measurable.
• There are sound, proven criteria for judging design effectiveness.
• Design enhances communication. It helps more people to understand a given message. Design helps accelerate learning.
• Design is finding the best solution to a problem.

Graphic Design

• Graphic Designers are design generalists concerned with information to be read. They are involved with affecting an audience. They try to get most of the people in a target group to respond positively to a visual message.
• Graphic designers use typography, symbolism, illustration and photography to communicate visually. Often a combinations of these techniques is effective.
• Graphic designers attempt to achieve visual solutions that are functional, elegant, appropriate, simple, and economical. They solve problems that range from the simplicity of a sales poster to the complexity of a sign system for an international airport.

Graphic Design is not art. The fine artist has an audience of only one (herself or himself). The graphic designer deals with mass audience of sometimes millions. Intent is different. Often Graphic Design looks like art (and Vise versa). Materials and techniques are similar. Both artist and designer solve visual problems. The artist satisfies self while the designer must move groups of people to attend an event, follow a sign, understand a map, learn a scientific principle or buy a product.

Design is not easy to learn. It take lots of practice and time to become visual literate. The best way to learn design is to take a class. The wonderful part about taking a class is you get to see what others are doing to solve visual problems, Also, the critique is an important part. The critique is when you present your designs to others and discuss the effectiveness of the design, and how to improve the design.

Another great way to learn design is to analyze other designs. Evaluate the effectiveness to communicate. Checkout these web site for the effectiveness of the designs.

1. Learn about design
www.commarts.com

2. Samples and links to great designed web sites.
www.lynda.com

3. Great info on designing web pages.
www.efuse.com/

4. Learn about the latest technology and education.
www.media.mit.edu

Developing a Style.

The key to becoming a succussful designer is to develop a design style. This is where your art and communication has a certain look and feel. Many designers are hired because they have a certain look. Think of artist, Jackson Pollock became famous by painting in a certain style of drip paintings. People bought and collected his work because of a certain style.

Read this article about Jackson Pollock and see how his work had developed over time. He struggled many years until he developed a style that unique to himself.

How to develop a Style?

A design style will develop over time. The key to developing a style is to create lots of work. Also, work in many different mediums. Create artwork by painting, drawing, photography, video, computer. Play, create, and have fun.