What is Graphic Design?
 

Someone asked me the other day, What is Graphic Design? What makes one a Graphic Designer and qualifies them to practice Graphic Design?

I believe Graphic Design is the profession of designing or creating visual information - be it print or electronic and that a graphic designer is he/she who can combine the elements and principles of design to succesfully communicate a message through visual information.

I also beleieve that formal training in Graphic Design, its principles and elements is essential, but not absolutely necessary.

I'm just curious what other people in the design community think.

I would agree with you on all of that. You said it just like it is. :D It can be anything from designing buttons for your web page to designing banners, pictures, print, and graphics for things like video games and alot more. Graphic Design can cover quite a broad area just like Web Design can. :cool:

As for the qualifactions, I really think all that matters is the skill, talent, and like with all other things the ability to perform. :D Education and training can definitely help and will most likely make you more qualified, but there are many that are excellent at graphic design that have never had any certification, training etc. In the design community people will pay for graphic design based on previous work and recommendations, all that matters is that they can do what you want with the graphics and do it good, most wont question qualifications, but would rather just see example work and proof that they can do what they say they can. :) But for graphic designer wanting to get a job with alot of companies they'll usually be required to have the training certification experience etc.... :)