Verified Document

Graphic Design The Objective Of This Work Essay

Graphic Design The objective of this work is to examine the knowledge needed by the graphic designer both historically and in today's modern world.

Swanson (2010) writes in the work entitled "Graphic Design Education as a Liberal Art: Design and Knowledge in the University and the 'Real World'" states "Though hardly homogeneous, the vast majority of graphic design programs, whether in vocational schools, art schools, or universities, are, at least in concept, vocational training programs." (p.3)

The Composition of Graphic Design As A Liberal Art

Swanson examines what graphic design would entail as a liberal art and states that it would take various forms. Swanson states specifically that design should be

"…about the relationship of form and communication. It is one of the fields where science and literature meet. It can shine a light on hidden corners of sociology and history. Design's position as conduit for and shaper of popular values can be a path between anthropology and political science. Art and education can both benefit through the perspective of a field that is about expression and the mass dissemination of information. Designers, design educators, and design students are in a more important and interesting field than we seem to recognize." (Swanson, 2010, p.5)

II. Design Scholarship

According to the work of Swanson there is presently "no clear role for design scholarship. Traditional fields of scholarship are stated to have subject matter of their won although design scholarship does not and this makes it difficult to identify models for this approach as design "in practice, exists primarily in response to an externally generated need or situation." (Swanson, 2010, p.5) Richard Buchanan, chair of the Department of Design at Carnegie Mellon is noted to have stated: "subject matter for the designer is an indeterminate problem, made only partly determinate by...

p.6)
Design programs are inclusive of a significant contraction on skills and this is stated to be "hardly…unique to academic -- Technique will probably be a large part of any design program, but the meaning of techniques will take on more importance." (Swanson, 2010, p.6) Swanson notes that Buchanan has argued that designer have "through designed objects…directly influenced the actions of individuals and communities, changed attitudes and values, and shaped society in surprisingly fundamental ways." (Swanson, 2010, p. 7)

III. History and Theory in the Classroom and Studio

The work of Jan Tsichichold states that history and theory "should be married in the classroom and honeymoon in the studio" of the graphic designer." (nd, p.1) Tsichichold additionally states as follows:

"To truly understand and use a piece of theory properly, we need to know why it became worth knowing -- in what conditions was it first developed and used, why was it successful and what was its original purpose and audience? Without this knowledge, how could we use it effectively? Many of our ideas are well established -- concerning the relationships between image and text, or color and balance, or texture and contrast, and countless more can all be mixed in infinite possibilities -- and knowing of how (and why) these ideas were developed helps us use them today. Knowing the context in which they were originally born help us see similar contexts today that the theory can perfectly be matched to. Rather than simply borrowing style, ideas about layout can be learned and expanded upon. We can see what ideas worked and what didn't, allowing us to skip previous mistakes and forge forward, treading on new ground in familiar shoes." (Tsichichold, nd, p.1)

While history may be boring, in the field of graphic design one must know history…

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

Salmon, M. And Gritzer, G. (1992) Parallel Content: Social Sciences and the Design Curriculum." Design Issues, Fall 1992.Balancing Skills and Understanding

Swanson, G. (2010) Graphic Design Education as a Liberal Art: Design and Knowledge in the University and the "Real World." Retrieved from: http://www.gunnarswanson.com/writing/GDasLiberalArt.pdf

Symbols: The Alphabet of Human Thought. History of Graphic Design. Retrieved from: http://designhistory.org/symbols.html

Tschichold, J. (nd) Good Designers Learn From History. Retin Art. Retrieved from: http://retinart.net/graphic-design/good-designers-learn-from-history/
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Graphic Designers Classification While Many
Words: 891 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Other graphic designers work at design studios. These designers generally focus upon design and visual brand strategies and create "logos, brochures and packaging, design studios generally provide such opportunities in abundance. They typically provide clients with creative solutions for both print and the Web" (trade-schools.net). The next types of graphic designers are those who work for companies which have nothing to do with creativity or the arts. These companies are usually

Decision Making and Design
Words: 864 Length: 2 Document Type: Research Proposal

Graphic Freelance Designer Design professionalism standards and ethics (Discuss how the use of copyrighted materials may or may not be a factor with the portfolio you are preparing and in following proper use guidelines.) Professional designers aren't entitled to take exclusive credit for any design whose creation has involved collaboration between two or more designers (Crawford, 34). Further, professional designers aren't encouraged to accept projects which are likely to involve conflicting

Work Motivation and Job Satisfaction
Words: 5392 Length: 20 Document Type: Term Paper

As Moore and Anderson emphasize, "Another driver is that distance education students have as much right to expect effective library services as traditional on-campus students. Therefore, services have been enhanced to ensure easy access and equitable delivery of resources and services" (p. 384). Clearly, then, although the mission of many university libraries to provide the resources and tools students need to achieve successful academic outcomes has not changed in substantive

Graphic Propaganda: Posters Used by
Words: 1918 Length: 7 Document Type: Thesis

While it is not always used during times of war, propaganda was used extensively by both the Allied and Axis powers during World War II. The research also showed that although propaganda can assume a wide variety of forms, including print and motion picture media, one of the most cost-effective and popular approaches used by propagandists in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and the Soviet Union

Role Did Graphic Designing Play in the
Words: 1640 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

role did graphic designing play in the 1960s in popular culture? The ability to transfer an idea, concept, theme, or notion from the abstract depths of one's mind onto the rich whiteness of a canvas is indeed, a unique one. It is a gift that one is born and blessed with. The capability to sketch, draw and paint has been a part of human civilization since the dawn of time.

Typography Design Taking a Lead From the
Words: 1426 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Typography Design Taking a lead from the typeface named Matisse ITC, a typography-based design was created with the broad-brushstrokes, primary colors, and dominant white space that characterized the gouche paintings and cutouts created by the artist Matisse. The central theme is of a ski hut on the night of a full moon, with evidence of children playing in the snow left over from the day, and the cold clear starlit night

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now