Are you a Graphic Designer?
These days, I would say what one might call himself is very confusing, if your working in the business of ‘Graphic Design’ and work mainly online or in a digital medium. I could get into a long drawn out post here, I originally just wanted to post something about how great a current PHP framework (Code Igniter) is that I am working in. That got me to thinking, do I have any right to say something is good in the programming world? I have no college degree in anything and just learn from forums and guides. I have been a self taught graphic designer and business man for the past 12 years. But at the same time, I have learned the print process, web programming, accounting, shipping business (!?) and many other random bits (plumbing, electrician, janitor), well that just are necessary for my role as a graphic designer, running a business and overall survival. That then begs to ask the question, are you a graphic designer then, if not, what are you?
Now, this may be different if you work for an agency, as you are a large team and your role is to one specific task. But I have found with myself and the rest of the team at YWFT, we cover so many roles, I find hard it find to tell people just what is my ‘job’ title. I am sure there are thousands of you out there in this position, and I am curious what do you call it you do? I would love to hear how everyone out there works, what you do, and in the end, what do you tell people you do.
Posted by Michael Paul Young
on August 3rd, 2008
Comments
mica
I'm working on a portfolio site for myself right now and I'm having the same problem. Do I call myself a Graphic Designer (which is extremely vague, to the point of meaninglessness, in my opinion), or do I resort to an older description like Commercial Artist? Or maybe I need to invent some nonsense title for myself, like Visual Communication Strategist? The fact that I dabble in HTML and art doesn't help either. I think I'm leaning towards not specifying what I am, and letting people figure it out based on what I do.
I'm working on a portfolio site for myself right now and I'm having the same problem. Do I call myself a Graphic Designer (which is extremely vague, to the point of meaninglessness, in my opinion), or do I resort to an older description like Commercial Artist? Or maybe I need to invent some nonsense title for myself, like Visual Communication Strategist? The fact that I dabble in HTML and art doesn't help either. I think I'm leaning towards not specifying what I am, and letting people figure it out based on what I do.
YASLY! – YWFT Asks, “Are You A Graphic Designer?”
[...] friend Michael Paul Young poses a really intriguing question to all freelancers, entrepreneurs and graphic designers. As someone who’s entirely [...]
[...] friend Michael Paul Young poses a really intriguing question to all freelancers, entrepreneurs and graphic designers. As someone who’s entirely [...]
cloudtrapez
ugh. i loathe the term 'graphic designer'. personally i much much prefer 'graphic artist' and even that i have trouble spewing forth. 'graphic designers' are the guys/gals that think "ke rn" shirts are cute. *shudder*
ugh. i loathe the term 'graphic designer'. personally i much much prefer 'graphic artist' and even that i have trouble spewing forth. 'graphic designers' are the guys/gals that think "ke rn" shirts are cute. *shudder*
dibec
That is a very good point Mr. Young. I believe you have to be an infusion of all elements to succeed in the this highly competitive business. Be it a graphic designer, visual communicator, web designer, etc. I have so many interests, I just concluded that I will learn as much as I can before my own timer expires. Limiting yourself to a genre is simply boring. I also have a wealth of database/php knowledge, photography, video production, and print. Graphic Design is such a vague term, esp. in our day and age.
That is a very good point Mr. Young. I believe you have to be an infusion of all elements to succeed in the this highly competitive business. Be it a graphic designer, visual communicator, web designer, etc. I have so many interests, I just concluded that I will learn as much as I can before my own timer expires. Limiting yourself to a genre is simply boring. I also have a wealth of database/php knowledge, photography, video production, and print. Graphic Design is such a vague term, esp. in our day and age.
Josh Boston
I think a lot of questions are being raised here that primarily don't have a ton of significance on the outcome either way. But for the sake of contributing I will spill my $.02. First everybody has an opinion and to say that someone doesn't have a right to say something is good or bad is just silly. And then to say that some people's opinion matters because they have a degree or are a published speaker on a subject and another person's does not because they simply teach themselves is also a bit silly. Who really cares? Opinions are armpits right? As for what you tell people, I think it's just a matter of what you mainly do. Mike, I imagine you probably tell people "I'm a visual artist and run an online business in the design field" or something to that affect. I don't think you would say graphic designer mainly because client work doesn't take up a large chunk of your time these days. Someone else might say "I'm a typographer" "I'm an illustrator" "I work in advertising" "I concept and art direct photo shoots" etc. etc. Sure you do lots of things and can wear lots of hats, so do most Mothers but when you ask them what they do they just say "I'm a Mom". Again, who really cares what your exact answer is? Does it really matter? Will the appropriate response further your career and life goals? I think to put too much importance in that is insecurity about your own self worth and how you see yourself within the profession you've chosen. Do I wear the black shirt and black pants or the suit? What will people think when I say, "_____ fill in the blank". We won't all be Andy Warhol or Damien Hirst probably not even Peter Seville or Stefan Sagmeister, but I think the important thing is to just be honest with yourself, do your best and acknowledge to yourself that you're finite and probably won't be on TV anytime soon. (Mainly based from my suspicion that we as humans do lots of things based on wanting to be accepted and admired, we want to be proud of ourselves, we want neat titles and to feel like what we're doing really DOES matter) As for the people above saying that "Graphic Designer" is extremely vague, to the point of meaninglessness, I think that's just absurd. Most of the modern world, your clients included, know the general idea of what a Graphic Designer does. Although I do agree that not specifying your "title" and letting the work do the talking would be a refreshing approach. Or you could be like me and just make up something new each time someone asks you what you do. "12th man for the Los Angeles Lakers, Cable Access News Anchor, Puppet Master for the San Diego Renaissance Fair Association". Ultimately that's typically the most fun and creative execution of what you do, unless you're networking with people to do design work. In which case I guess you'd just tell people you're a graphic designer. ;-)
I think a lot of questions are being raised here that primarily don't have a ton of significance on the outcome either way. But for the sake of contributing I will spill my $.02. First everybody has an opinion and to say that someone doesn't have a right to say something is good or bad is just silly. And then to say that some people's opinion matters because they have a degree or are a published speaker on a subject and another person's does not because they simply teach themselves is also a bit silly. Who really cares? Opinions are armpits right? As for what you tell people, I think it's just a matter of what you mainly do. Mike, I imagine you probably tell people "I'm a visual artist and run an online business in the design field" or something to that affect. I don't think you would say graphic designer mainly because client work doesn't take up a large chunk of your time these days. Someone else might say "I'm a typographer" "I'm an illustrator" "I work in advertising" "I concept and art direct photo shoots" etc. etc. Sure you do lots of things and can wear lots of hats, so do most Mothers but when you ask them what they do they just say "I'm a Mom". Again, who really cares what your exact answer is? Does it really matter? Will the appropriate response further your career and life goals? I think to put too much importance in that is insecurity about your own self worth and how you see yourself within the profession you've chosen. Do I wear the black shirt and black pants or the suit? What will people think when I say, "_____ fill in the blank". We won't all be Andy Warhol or Damien Hirst probably not even Peter Seville or Stefan Sagmeister, but I think the important thing is to just be honest with yourself, do your best and acknowledge to yourself that you're finite and probably won't be on TV anytime soon. (Mainly based from my suspicion that we as humans do lots of things based on wanting to be accepted and admired, we want to be proud of ourselves, we want neat titles and to feel like what we're doing really DOES matter) As for the people above saying that "Graphic Designer" is extremely vague, to the point of meaninglessness, I think that's just absurd. Most of the modern world, your clients included, know the general idea of what a Graphic Designer does. Although I do agree that not specifying your "title" and letting the work do the talking would be a refreshing approach. Or you could be like me and just make up something new each time someone asks you what you do. "12th man for the Los Angeles Lakers, Cable Access News Anchor, Puppet Master for the San Diego Renaissance Fair Association". Ultimately that's typically the most fun and creative execution of what you do, unless you're networking with people to do design work. In which case I guess you'd just tell people you're a graphic designer. ;-)
erichurtge
i prefer the term "soul artist"
i prefer the term "soul artist"
mica
Josh, I think you made some good points but (in defense of my point above) I don't think that "Most of the modern world, your clients included, know the general idea of what a Graphic Designer does." If you are continually immersed in the design culture then you might think this way, but I strongly disagree that MOST people generally know what a graphic designer does. After 5 years as a designer I'm still, regularly explaining to my parents what I do. And generally when I introduce myself to someone new they tend to think a graphic designer is some kind of web developer. The reason I said that the term Graphic Design is vague is that there are so many fields that design is involved in and most people don't know the difference. Information Architects, Usability Designers, Web Developers, Production Artist, Prepress Technicians, Industrial Designers, Marketers, Technical Writers, (I could go on), all of these areas are occupations unto themselves but as a graphic designer I've found myself having to dabble in each area as certain projects have demanded. Then you have all of the people that call themselves graphic designers that aren't (ie: Pretty much any person who has a copy of Photoshop). I think that it would be more accurate to say that "Most of the modern world, your clients included, THINK they know the general idea of what a Graphic Designer does, but in reality, they don't."
Josh, I think you made some good points but (in defense of my point above) I don't think that "Most of the modern world, your clients included, know the general idea of what a Graphic Designer does." If you are continually immersed in the design culture then you might think this way, but I strongly disagree that MOST people generally know what a graphic designer does. After 5 years as a designer I'm still, regularly explaining to my parents what I do. And generally when I introduce myself to someone new they tend to think a graphic designer is some kind of web developer. The reason I said that the term Graphic Design is vague is that there are so many fields that design is involved in and most people don't know the difference. Information Architects, Usability Designers, Web Developers, Production Artist, Prepress Technicians, Industrial Designers, Marketers, Technical Writers, (I could go on), all of these areas are occupations unto themselves but as a graphic designer I've found myself having to dabble in each area as certain projects have demanded. Then you have all of the people that call themselves graphic designers that aren't (ie: Pretty much any person who has a copy of Photoshop). I think that it would be more accurate to say that "Most of the modern world, your clients included, THINK they know the general idea of what a Graphic Designer does, but in reality, they don't."
Aaron Martin
I think this is an interesting conversation to have, but I think that what may be missing is the initial definition of the context of the approach. If someone is asking me what I do for the advertising agency I work for, if I answer "designer" or "copy editor," it will be understood what I do, because there is a base of understanding and definition embedded in the general place you are working or having the conversation in. Now, this is obviously an example that can't 100% be ported over to a conversation you would have with your uncle about what you do. But in that scenario, you have much more time to explain in a simple and concise way what it is you do. Personally, I tell people I'm a designer (sometimes I use "graphic designer"). Which is always followed by the follow up question of "What do you design?" Which is easy enough to answer. I just list of a few things I do (books, magazines, logos, websites, etc.) and the term "designer" or "graphic designer" has much more relevance and context. For a long time I tried to come up with the perfect title for myself, but being a freelance and contract designer, that just isn't plausible, and probably not possible. I don't have a problem having to use an additional 10 seconds to explain what I do. It will more than likely lead to more in-depth conversations and meetings anyway.
I think this is an interesting conversation to have, but I think that what may be missing is the initial definition of the context of the approach. If someone is asking me what I do for the advertising agency I work for, if I answer "designer" or "copy editor," it will be understood what I do, because there is a base of understanding and definition embedded in the general place you are working or having the conversation in. Now, this is obviously an example that can't 100% be ported over to a conversation you would have with your uncle about what you do. But in that scenario, you have much more time to explain in a simple and concise way what it is you do. Personally, I tell people I'm a designer (sometimes I use "graphic designer"). Which is always followed by the follow up question of "What do you design?" Which is easy enough to answer. I just list of a few things I do (books, magazines, logos, websites, etc.) and the term "designer" or "graphic designer" has much more relevance and context. For a long time I tried to come up with the perfect title for myself, but being a freelance and contract designer, that just isn't plausible, and probably not possible. I don't have a problem having to use an additional 10 seconds to explain what I do. It will more than likely lead to more in-depth conversations and meetings anyway.
Aaron Martin
My comment looks much nicer without the paragraph tags and line breaks stripped out. (Hint-hint...)
My comment looks much nicer without the paragraph tags and line breaks stripped out. (Hint-hint...)
Michael Young
I think Josh has a good point, about it really isn't that necessary for the title, but at the same time I would like to know just what do people like me fit into. I would like to know what I call what I do, even if I made the title up. Problem is, I cannot even come to a title to make up for this type of genre. Nothing is necessary in the world, but as a human with emotions I do want to know what you may call what I do. I see fire, I call it fire. Yet I see what I do to make a living, and have no idea what to call it, other than something like 'I make stuff with computers.' This happens daily, even just yesterday. I was meeting a friends father here in Bangkok who is a national artist here, famous painter and works in woodcut. He simply calls himself an artist, who makes wood cut prints. What's funny though, if I call myself an artist, but use a computer, people give you the stink face, like are you kidding? He even asked what do I do, I said um videos, digital based work? I really do think a new type of artist is emerging in our generations, and its a blend of many things, digital, analogue and mathematical. I still do not know what you call them, but its defiantly not Graphic Designer.
I think Josh has a good point, about it really isn't that necessary for the title, but at the same time I would like to know just what do people like me fit into. I would like to know what I call what I do, even if I made the title up. Problem is, I cannot even come to a title to make up for this type of genre. Nothing is necessary in the world, but as a human with emotions I do want to know what you may call what I do. I see fire, I call it fire. Yet I see what I do to make a living, and have no idea what to call it, other than something like 'I make stuff with computers.' This happens daily, even just yesterday. I was meeting a friends father here in Bangkok who is a national artist here, famous painter and works in woodcut. He simply calls himself an artist, who makes wood cut prints. What's funny though, if I call myself an artist, but use a computer, people give you the stink face, like are you kidding? He even asked what do I do, I said um videos, digital based work? I really do think a new type of artist is emerging in our generations, and its a blend of many things, digital, analogue and mathematical. I still do not know what you call them, but its defiantly not Graphic Designer.
Michael Young
Also interesting is this definition from Apples Dictionary 'the art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books.' Another link to information is at: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm - After reading that page, it sounds like something right out of the 1950's Americana. I love the text on the work environment, classic. Another interesting read is on wikipedia as it talks about the fathers of what we know as Graphic Design. Again, this is dated information because they fathered a different era of tools, politics and mindsets. So who has fathered todays 'whatever we call it' culture? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_design
Also interesting is this definition from Apples Dictionary 'the art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books.' Another link to information is at: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm - After reading that page, it sounds like something right out of the 1950's Americana. I love the text on the work environment, classic. Another interesting read is on wikipedia as it talks about the fathers of what we know as Graphic Design. Again, this is dated information because they fathered a different era of tools, politics and mindsets. So who has fathered todays 'whatever we call it' culture? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_design
mica
This same topic just came up at NewsToday. Some interesting (and also some completely worthless) comments there: http://www.qbn.com/topics/561475/
This same topic just came up at NewsToday. Some interesting (and also some completely worthless) comments there: http://www.qbn.com/topics/561475/
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