What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is often used as the branding agent for companies, the core of an advertising campaign, and the backbone to non verbal communication. In one sense graphic design is the thing that makes stuff less boring. Without graphic design all companies would have fairly similar “visual identities” (for lack of a better phrase), advertising would be less engaging and thus less viable. Design becomes the wrapping paper and bow on the box of whores that is advertising. It's the skin and clothes for a company and it's the interface between mind and screen.

These traits raise a question, “How does graphic design do all these things? How is it so versatile?” I pose that it is because graphic design does one very simple thing. Graphic design makes ideas tangible. That is all it does.

It takes an idea, gives it a way to interact with people, and releases it into the world.

This seemingly simple task is so efficient that it can take any form you will it to. If you need graphic design to solve a problem, it can do it. It wont necessarily fix the root of the matter but it will stop whatever it is from being a problem. If you need it to communicate a message or sell a product, it's got a hole bunch of tricks ready to go.

Graphic design is to aesthetics what a sharpened edge is to making and building.