The System 704: Designers Are…

January 27th, 2014

(You can buy this as an 11×17 poster from my online store here.)

When I was teaching Intro to Graphic Design, I would give a speech very similar to this comic. A lot of times people use a pencil to represent graphic designers (because we’re creative? We write things sometimes?), but I think this is a better analogy. Designers use creativity, but we are precise and analytical and, well, all the other things I mention in this chart.

Consider this my ode to designers.

A lot of times (especially lately) people have asked me what designers do. Or rather, assumed what designers do. Here’s what we don’t do:

Sit on our asses until an idea strikes.
Play around all day.
Make things just look pretty.
Throw things together.

We actually:

Consider the best solution to problems.
Edit content to better make a point.
Edit a layout to better emphasize content.
Wonder how to best reach the goals of a project.
Think about how one change may have 1,000 ramifications to other moving pieces of the project.
Research what tools can best get the job done.
Pay attention to every detail of the final result.

I’m sure I missed some. Help me fill them in the comments.

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Comments:

Rossmom

Before Ross went into design, I never really gave any thought to how signs, logos and the like were developed; and, I certainly never knew anything about fonts. I knew what looked good to me and what didn’t but for all I knew someone just waved a wand and the signs, etc came into being.

Well, I’ve learned a lot (well, a tiny, tiny bit) since then and have actually made some unappreciated comments to Ross like: I really think Arial is a perfectly acceptable font (I’ve since switched to Helvetica); I think Comic Sans is fabulous.

Although I realize a pencil and exacto knife and various writing implements are among the most important tools of a designer, knowing Ross, I really think the item that tops the list is coffee! (But, not just any coffee will do–it’s got to be superior. And, one day maybe he will like the coffee I make when he comes to visit.)
tudza

and ’cause they’ll cut you if you get out of line.
- Rossmom
  
  I’ve learned, the hard way, that do a wonderful job of cutting fingers.
Craig Mikucki

Glad to see you figured out that silly copyright issue.
Idav Kelly

Neat, but it doesn’t solve the mystery of what exactly philosophers do.
Jasmine P.

Thinking about my life with Xactos, I’d also add that designers get lost, often, so you have to have another on hand.

I’m sorry, that’s mean, I just lost a lot of barrels, not my packs of blades as often.

I guess in conjunction, you never know where you’ll find a designer. (I’d go into bags or sweatshirts months later and find a barrel. I usually kept the blades separate because the first barrel I bought for some reason didn’t come with a cap) But really, I own a lot of knives. Xacto #11s, the clicky- long blade kind, the larger box cutter, the clicky large box cutter…I was a studio major, I have so many knives. A knife for all occasions.
Michelle Hartz

And like Xacto knives, we’re considered weapons too dangerous to allow on airplanes? (Really though, great analogy!)
Rob Cottingham

…And they get replaced if dull.
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(You can buy this as an 11×17 poster from my online store here.)

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