It's Not About Me
It's Not About Me
Mar 3, 2010
Graphic designers are trained to arrange visual elements with an eye towards legibility and communication; the design shouldn't get in the way of the message. The challenge is to create something different and attention-getting that *serves* the content, makes it more appealing, accessible, and understood. This is achieved by arranging text, image, and color in a way that is not self-conscious. This is ego-humbling territory.
The graphic designers who win awards, or possibly even achieve celebrity, are those whose work transcends mere visual appeal and becomes actual communication. Such work evokes or inspires action.
For instance, books with covers designed by Chip Kidd don’t sell because they’re Chip Kidd’s designs, but because Chip Kidd is masterful at communicating the intentions of authors and publishers. In the end, it’s not about Chip Kidd or _______________ (fill-in name of designer here). It’s about the author’s words.
It’s not about me.