Dictionary Definitions:

Graphic Design

“The art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience, especially to produce a specific effect.” – dictionary.com

Web Design

“The planning and creation of websites.” – dictionary.com

Ok, so what does it mean?

If you are like me you are thinking, ‘Ok, so what?’ Well, I didn’t think that Graphic Designers and Web Designers were a big deal until I fell in love with learning about them.

Basically, a Graphic Designer combines all the important information and makes the design (brochure, ad, book cover, magazine, etc.)  visually appealing to the target audience. The same can be said for a Web Designer. Some people think of it as art, but there is a difference.

Art is subjective. When you see a painting, a photograph, or a movie, it can be interpreted differently by different people; Graphic Design and Web Design is not supposed to do this.

In a way, you can say that Graphic Design and Web Design are more of a science. The audience is intended to see the same message from the design. There can be no varying opinions. There is only one intention.

For example, if you see a movie poster for a scary movie, the fonts selected, the image, and the color choices should all come together to let you know that the poster is for a scary movie.

Not only that, but it should have important information like the movie title, the release date, and maybe the director and stars of the movie.

The message is simple, ‘Come watch this scary movie on this date, starring and directed by this person.’

Why is it important?

You might have guessed it from the above passage, but Design is important in getting consumers to buy a product.

Graphic Designers create advertisements, book covers, magazines, and etc. Web Designers create beautiful websites to entice customers and make them easy and convenient to use to retain customers.

Design is everywhere and helps consumers choose the products they want or think they want. Your laptop was designed by someone. Someone designed your phone. Your car was designed by someone. Are you seeing a trend?

Why I love design

I love the challenge of creating something with an intended purpose. When I design a product or website I think: What is this about? What genre does this fall into? Who is the target audience? What is the main focus? Then I use all this and start deciding on images, color, and fonts to answer all of these questions.

Not only do I love designing, but I am also a consumer. I read a lot of books and when I search for a book, the first thing I notice is the cover. When I see an interesting book cover, I think “I wonder what this is about?” Then I go over to the book, look at the title and then read the summary.  

We all become interested just by seeing something. When I buy a car, phone, computer, or any other product I look at the design first. Next time you go outside, look at your surroundings. Design is everywhere.

-Paigon | Natasha Lane Design Co.