What Would You Say . . . You Do Here?
Here we go! My first official blog on my official website for my company! For our first post, I thought it best to talk a little about what a graphic designer is and the kinds of work we do.
A little back story . . .
I always knew at some point as my kids were getting into school that I would go back to college to earn a bachelor’s degree. My problem with completing that education was never that I wasn’t smart or didn’t want to do the work. My problem was that I have always had so many interests, it was difficult for me to decide which path I should take. Over the years, I found myself working in research and wondered if I should obtain a science-based degree. But there was always that very strong creative side to me that I have never been able to push aside. So, after a very long and unsuccessful foray at a promotion in that research area, I decided it was time.
Not seeing myself as someone who had a natural talent for traditional art, I was always intrigued by graphic design. I loved creating digital scrap books or formatting documents in a way that was aesthetically pleasing. I loved the idea of different styles of typography and how I could design my own. I’ve always wanted to design patterns for fabrics. And I’ve always had a love of photography and even dabbled in my younger years with traditional film photography and development (that was fun!). I’d been looking into different programs for a few years before my actual applying for one but hadn’t been able to find a college program to earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design that was going to be flexible with my busy schedule as a wife, mom, and full-time employee.
When I did finally find a program that would work, I actually applied on a whim. It sounds silly, but I was sitting at work one day, contemplating my next move and I thought . . . Why not? If I don’t get in, I’m not out anything and I just keep looking for a school that’s a right fit. I was nervous, of course. I think anyone in that situation would be. I’d been out of school for quite a while at that point. I was the definition of someone in middle-age trying to make a “career” change.
But here I am on the other side of that experience with a BFA in graphic design. Not only did I get into the program, but I graduated a year earlier than I’d originally planned, while continuing to work full-time and still create family time with my husband and kids. Oh, and that degree . . . I earned it with honors . . . summa cum laude. I’ll always be proud of this accomplishment and will continue to shout it from the rooftops!
During my experience in school, I learned that not only do I absolutely LOVE every part of being a graphic designer, but I ended up obtaining a few other related skills and interests such as website design and reconnecting with my love of photography. And that worry about not having any talent in “traditional art . . .” I learned to let go of that, too.
. . . Which brings us to today . . .
When I tell people that I do photography or website design or even illustration, they understand what that means. When I tell people that I’m a graphic designer (which is often how I label what I do), it tends to be followed up with questions. “So, do you just make logos? Did you really need a degree for that? What would you say . . . you do here?”
So, what is a graphic designer, exactly? Well, when you google the definition of a graphic designer, this is what shows up at the top of the page, “a person who combines text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books.” Traditionally, yes, that’s true. But there has also been this shift in the industry to become some sort of “jack-of-all-trades.” Graphic designers are visual communicators. They are storytellers, artists, photographers, website designers, illustrators, marketing specialists, video producers, editors, writers, and social media creators. Each designer in the field will usually have a few things they specialize in, but most agree that the field is broadening the skillset required.
What do I do here? I do what I love! I create!
