(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.

Buy the poster here.