Like it or Not, Graphic Design is Still Just a Trade…

…in the realm of public opinion, anyway. Many of us are working hard to elevate our work to the level of “profession” but the fact remains that the “trade” misperception still exists.

Go ahead and look up profession or professional in the dictionary, you’ll find a reference to extensive training and extensive education. Extensive training and education…check! It’s true that some designers have different education levels than others, but in order to find renown or even mediocre success in design, one must have extensive experience (training.)

The only other prevailing reoccurrence I find in defining “profession” has to do with being paid a certain wage for a certain level of expertise. Check again. I dare anyone to show me another group of people who know more about typography or how to make a website beautiful, witty and easier to use all while streamlining the content to just the essentials. And no matter what these cheap bastards (who keep calling me and asking if some of my students would like some “real-life experience”) think, our services are rarely performed for free.

So why does the perception exist? Go ahead and try to deny it if you wish, but it’s still there, like an enormous, sweaty, incontinent gorilla in the corner of the room. But why is it there? Where is that metaphorical can of “Gorilla-be-Gone”?

Perhaps part of the problem stems from trying to explain what the hell it is we do exactly. What is the definition of graphic design? I can’t find one I like. Hell, I can’t even write one I like. I’ve read Jessica Helfand’s essay as well as the work of the countless others who have made strides toward defining graphic design—but I feel like I need something much more concise and caustic to sway public perception. Like say, James Victore’s opinion on the subject: “Graphic design is a big fucking club with spikes in it and I want to wield it.”—well, maybe not that caustic, but I need something quick and clear and easy to explain that I don’t yet have.

Or perhaps what we do is somehow less socially significant than the work of the clearly recognized professionals like a dentist or an architect. I don’t know about you, but I can’t even eat a candy bar or drive to work without encountering graphic design and yet I haven’t been to the dentist in a couple of years and my teeth are fine. (Sorry Dr. Higley, I just can’t find the time.)

Or maybe quite a bit of the blame lies on our own shoulders. How many of us have “out grown” the title of Graphic Designer only to trade it in for monikers like Art Director or Creative Director? What’s so damn wrong with being a Graphic Designer? And if you think it’s difficult to explain to your mother-in-law what it is you do as a designer, try to explain to her what it means to be a Creative Director. That’s a long uncomfortable batch of dinner conversation that no one wants.

Public perception changes through public action. WE still need to define our profession’s reputation.


In a side note: I received a complimentary email today about this blog from a designer in Germany. His name is Thomas Schostok and his creations are incredible. His sensibilities are raunchy and intelligent and his work just flat-out kicks ass. You can check out his stuff at either one of his two sites {ths} or Cape-Arcona. The image above is his.