Graphic design is the method of communicating a message visually. There is always underlying communication regardless if the message trying to be conveyed is aesthetically pleasing or not. For arguments sake take this question into account, is photography considered as graphic design or is it merely a resource to be used for design? This depends on whether there is an underlying message to the photograph. If underlying communication is discovered then yes it should be considered as design.

In order for there to be any underlying message or communication through any artistic piece, there must be a process of planning to effectively speak to any audience. If I were giving a speech at a public place and it was my job to persuade the crowd about a particular subject, I would make sure that all my ideas were in order. I would research about the subject, ask questions and learn everything I could about it. I would then plan out everything I was about to say, maybe even open up with some sort of ice breaker. My point is the actual process that went behind this speech is similar to the process of graphic design. There is research, thought and planning. The objective is to effectively communicate, to speak the words of this subject visually, because it has no words of its own to a particular crowd. The steps and journey that we take to get there is the true essence of graphic design.

Caught this off of digg. Was great to see the changes to the photoshop logo through out the years.

I have been using Adobe Photoshop since version 5. How about you?

View Adobe Logos

I am currently unemployed. I was working full time and running my side business at the same time. I have been doing work for clients for about 9 years now, but it has never been full time. I use to be in a local rap group (maybe I’ll post an mp3 if someone asks) when I was about 16 and started doing cd covers for rap groups at the age of 18.

Since then I have done anywhere from cd covers, posters, logos and eventually web design all in the darkness of the night. Now that I was let go I have either an opportunity to get a job in the new city i am moving to, or try to launch my web/design business. In searching for ideas, resources and links I have found the following very helpful and did not want to keep them to myself.

http://www.creativepublic.com/

http://www.sitepoint.com/kits/freelance1/ (I’m buying this)

20 Freelance Problems and How to SolveThem

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/web-work-should-charge

http://websitetips.com/business/plan/

http://www.freelance.com/__C125675B0014F649.nsf (Place bids on projects)

http://www.guru.com/ (Same as above)

Forum started about freelance (Forum discussing freelance)

9-essential-ideas-to-find-time-for-freelance-work

http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000904.html

Here is another reason for checking your spelling before selling. I’m sure they meant bonded.

I saw this sign at an H-E-B.

Funny thing is someone tried to correct original spelling and spelled that wrong. Guys I will be the first to tell you that I am the worst spiller speller. When I design all I see is blocks of text and decide where these blocks should go. I am trying to get better at it and utilizing the program’s spell check. Sometimes I copy and paste into word and check the spelling there.

A funny story: I use to do AutoCad home plans for a home builder on the Island. I placed the text “Custom home for Ron and Pat” turns out the ladies name was Pam. Big deal right? Well turns out that the man’s ex-wife’s name was Pat. Man did I flub that one.

Bottom line let’s together try to get better at our spelling when we send out designs, I will try my best as well.