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.