Do you still call yourself a Graphic Designer? Or, like the authors of www.BeyondGraphic.org, do you agree we should replace the term entirely with the more relevant and accurate title Communication Designer, reflecting the modern reality that, as professionals, we make contributions that go far beyond “graphics” and delve deeply into the worlds of communication, psychology and often multi-media to help communicate our clients messages? As the Society of Graphic Designers, we’d obviously like to know what our members feel about this contentious issue.

1. sigrid Says:
   February 13th, 2006 at 4:23 pm

   That was a bit of a leading question, Mark. “the more relevant and accurate title Communication Designer”, you say. But I happen to agree. Some random ideas:

   • visual communications strategist (hey, any 3-word title has got to impress)
   • visual communications specialist
   • visual communicator
   • communication designer
   • visual strategist
   • visual engineer (I am not serious about all of these)
   • visual architect
   • information strategist
   • information designer
2. cameron Says:
   February 13th, 2006 at 8:05 pm

   I love, tongue in cheek, visual solutionist.
   I don’t think that graphic designer really gets to what we do. But at least people understand what graphic designers do. Communication designers. People have no clue. Now, of course, if no one starts using the term, we’ll be graphic designers forever. Its a term who’s time is coming. just not sure its here yet. Should GDC lead the charge? Good question.

3. Kevin Broome Says:
   February 15th, 2006 at 10:00 am

   Sigrid, why such an emphasis on the visual side of what we do? Are we limited to communicating through this one sense only?

   I like Information Designer or Communication Strategist. With everyone announcing that we have entered the Age of Information, we might as well place ourselves at the top of the food chain.

4. sigrid Says:
   February 15th, 2006 at 10:08 am

   Kevin, I think you have a good point. Once we have done a concept or strategy, the visual execution is almost secondary. Unless we really just want to be decorators - and that’s not going to get us the position we deserve. On the other hand, the end result of what we do is usually visual - at least of what I do - and I want to include that somehow.

   More ideas: Communications Consultant. Like your website byline: Ideas and Executions. I am currently rethinking my business positioning, my business name, specialization etc.

5. cat Says:
   February 15th, 2006 at 8:00 pm

   “Communication designers. People have no clue. Now, of course, if no one starts using the term, we’ll be graphic designers forever. Its a term who’s time is coming. just not sure its here yet. Should GDC lead the charge? Good question.”

   It’s more like “should GDC follow where others have already gone”.

   Google ‘Communication Design’ or ‘Visual Communication Design’ and you’ll find that schools already have degreed programs in place, and have had for years.

   Meaning our industry is filling up with students who will not be familiar with being called ‘graphic designers’, but are sporting ‘Communication Design’ degrees.

   AIGA switched over years ago, just check out the AIGA conference from back in 2004 which clearly states ‘communication design’
   http://gainconference.aiga.org/content.cfm?ContentID=2330

   Russell Kennedy, Vice-President Icograda, in an interview at Encuadre Magazine
   “The term ‘visual communication’ or ‘communication design’ appears to be the preferred replacement to graphic design. The impact of a new name for our profession will be minimal because it is a reaction to a change, which has already occurred. ”

   So I’m afraid leading is out of the question as it’s already happened.

   The bigger concern (in my opinion) should be in playing catch up.

6. Rick Strong Says:
   February 16th, 2006 at 8:05 am

   I started out my business using the term “Visual Communications” and a potential client thought I could teach his receptionist how to answer the telephone and not yell at people.

   The rest just asked, “What is ‘Visual Communications’ anyway?” Which is not a bad question, I just wonder how many others didn’t bother to phone me and ask the question.

   I am also at home in a recording studio. If I create and produce a sound track am I not still a “Communications Designer”? How about writing, directing and producing a video documentary?

   If you use the term “Communication Designer” do you accept responsibility for the editorial content (i.e. the “words”)? Something that can mean anything means nothing.

   The word “graphos” has a long and well understood history. If we are really communicators, we should use words to communicate, not obfuscate.

   As far as Icograda goes, their track record in communication is abysmal, so there is no need to take direction from them.

   R.

7. Chris Au Says:
   February 16th, 2006 at 9:22 am

   This discussion is reminiscent of the elephant and blind men story.

   Terms like communications design are quite broad and could include specific practices such as, strategic planning, program development, writing, performance, photography, filmmaking, videography, new media, exhibit design, graphic design (which in itself can be applied to different media such as print, screen, wall, etc.), and so on.

   If some of us primarily do more than one or two of the above, then Communications Design would be appropriate. If some of us do mostly one of the above, then perhaps a more specific term would be appropriate.

   To me, graphic design is the conscious effort to give a meaningful expression of ideas and information in a visual planar format. Substitute the last three words and you get something other than graphic.

   So, to my mind, someone can practice Communication Desgn (in collaboration with others) but be a Graphic Designer.

   Chris

8. cat Says:
   February 16th, 2006 at 9:26 pm

   “I started out my business using the term “Visual Communications” and a potential client thought I could teach his receptionist how to answer the telephone and not yell at people.”

   The same can be said for ‘Graphic Designer’. Clients are in the ‘they do pretty pictures’ mind set, when the majority of us do so much more than graphics. And it goes without saying that a ‘pretty picture’ (if you want to call it that) is the end result of a lot of brainstorming and effort.

   I believe one of the problems is that we’ve failed in educating the public on what we actually do as professionals in the design industry, whatever you want to call it.

   “As far as Icograda goes, their track record in communication is abysmal, so there is no need to take direction from them.”

   I’ve never heard anything negative about Icograda, could you please elaborate?

   As I’m sure you know, Icograda is made up of design orgs, GDC included. The Presidents and Vice Presidents are made up of the org members. I admire a number of those voted in as VP’s for this round, one of them being David Berman, a Canadian.

   “If some of us primarily do more than one or two of the above, then Communications Design would be appropriate. If some of us do mostly one of the above, then perhaps a more specific term would be appropriate.”

   Agreed … but … I can only point to those around me who I’ve been in conversations with these past 10 plus years in the industry, and none of us do just the one thing anymore.

   We may have started out as Graphic Designers, but have gradually taken on different roles that slide in from the side as they are needed. Web Design, copywriting, marketing, photography, branding, commercials, video, flash, on and on.

   And for me personally, it all depends on what a client wants. Calling myself a web designer one day, a graphic designer who speciallised in print another, then wearing a branding hat on yet another is a bit tedious.

   I needed a bigger hat for sure!

9. Jason Says:
   February 20th, 2006 at 5:52 pm

   The real problem with ‘Graphic Designer’ is the extent to which the role has become comoditized in the mind of the general public - many people think that they know what Graphic Design is and that if you can open-up Indesign then that is what you are - in other words that it is something that just about anyone can do. We all know that this is not the case, but that is the perception.

   Language moves-on and ‘Graphic Design’ has been left behind. ‘Communication Designer’ at least focuses on the designer’s actual role in society.

   JM

10. kris Says:
    February 21st, 2006 at 10:31 am

    What? Really? This is a point of discussion worthy of this much back and forth?

    Let me ask a question why does ONE title have to fit all? We’re all designers and I don’t think there’s a point of contention in that part. If you want a title that best describes what you do, then give yourself whatever title you want.

    Visual Communications Designer
    Digital Designer
    Pixel Designer
    Graphic Designer
    Media Designer
    Motion Designer
    Animation Designer
    etc.

    The design industry has far too many facets for there to be one title for everybody. This discussion seems ridiculous and petty. If you want to talk about something worthy — discuss the lack of value placed on what we do. Discuss how we can open the minds AND wallets of the up tight clients in the Western Canadian market. Discuss the lack of presence of the GDC in the community. It’s not an elite club and should have the attention and respect of every designer in the area.

11. Laurel Says:
    February 22nd, 2006 at 3:58 pm

    What do we need a label for? A tool. Some kind of descriptor for the recipient to match with meaning. Some clients will understand ‘graphic designer’, but won’t have a clue about ‘visual communications strategist’.

    None of the names we give ourselves will tell the whole story anyway—that is where we come in! We always have to flush out the label with our own story. One’s label is handy, necessary, though limited, starting point. It’s super-shorthand for all that we do, but might start a conversation about the details. I say try your title on and see how it fits for a couple years, you can always change it.

12. Jen Says:
    February 23rd, 2006 at 9:52 am

    Yes.
    Why not simply use DESIGNER?
    Clients are not gong to know exactly what you do from any new/old/fancy/descriptive label.
    For a few years I had “design and ideas” on my card. While this might have been a little cavalier and naive, it never failed to provoke the question “Oh, what does that mean?” Then I’d have a conversation, instead of a label.

13. Matt SamyciaWood Says:
    February 23rd, 2006 at 4:05 pm

    Graphic Designer or Communication Designer?

    Good question. I have personally tried on both descriptions [and others] resulting in different results.

    ‘Graphic Designer’ people understand instantly which is great, although they suddenly think that all you design is business cards and logos [similar to their friend who uses Corel Draw on a PC and also calls him self a Graphic Designer].

    Communication Designer results in the head nod “sounds fancy - but what do you do?”.

    Designer on its own results in “Interior design is it?”

    I often settle for ‘Communication Graphic Design’ - explaining the added benefits of ‘communication’. This way they instantly understand that it is something to do with Graphic Design but is extra, more than that. With a little blurb on what Communication means the person is left informed and MIGHLTLY impressed.

14. Kathy Kaulbach Says:
    February 24th, 2006 at 4:56 am

    I graduated with a Bachelor of Design degree in “Visual Communication” from NSCAD. I think this is still a relevant title and I use it. Visual Communicator also sounds like I do something worthwhile, something that might do some good, something that is solving some problem not just making an image. I am a communicator. I assist in defining a message for my client and visually getting it across to a specific group of people.

    But our profession covers a wide area of specialties and I don’t believe that one word or two is going to cover the gamut. We will always be adding to the explaination. Each of us has specialties and niches which require a clearer understanding. This is just a fact of being in a growing multi-faceted profession. Doctors, lawyers, architects. They all must define farther then the intial label and so must we.

15. Axionic Blog » Blog Archive » Graphic Designer or Communication Designer? Says:
    March 7th, 2006 at 1:03 pm

    [...] http://bc.gdc.net/blog/2006/02/13/graphic-designer-or-communication-designer/ [...]

16. Don Eglinski Says:
    March 15th, 2006 at 10:34 am

    Yes.
    Why not simply use DESIGNER?
    Clients are not gong to know exactly what you do from any new/old/fancy/descriptive label.

    The term designer is broad. Unless the person in question claims to do multidisciplinary work, I feel that adjectives are a somewhat necessary. I can’t claim to be a specialist in many fields of design, such as industruial & experience design or information architecture, but both are of huge interest to me. Modern design teaching in the U.S. addresses this, such as the Stanford Institute of Design (d.school) and MIT, where multidisciplinary design is the focus.

    Design is also about problem solving, and that in itself could become a PhD programme in itself, of which I find many designers tend to cling to the tried and tested. (Does that explain why Quark is still being used? :P)

    Design itself as a field in which we work, I think that works. I’d love to see more collaboration between fields, but I it’s like a rock star putting “artist” on her or his business card.

17. Kevan Says:
    September 6th, 2006 at 9:32 pm

    This sounds like an interesting topic, I have been following the thread and some good idea generation is occuring here. I myself am a student at Kwantlen. I am in second year of the Graphic design for marketing program. I personally chose this program over others becasue it was well researched, completely revamped, and has a real industry, job preparation, and strong marketing undertone incorporated into the curriculum. I am currious if anyone is familiar with this program and what they think of it in comparrison to other institutions and their programs. Also, What kind of designers do you think this program will produce, the fourth years will be the first grads of the revamped program. Any thoughts about this would be much appreciated. I did just see Sigrid at the school the other day for a presentation at the beginning of this semester. Very interesting insights and information about how your networking skills, confidence, communication skills, and ability to seriously self motivate and gain respect is of utmost importance.. perhaps even before your skill and talent as a graphic designer?

18. ameL Says:
    September 28th, 2007 at 1:51 pm

    Interesting topic for sure. I’d say neither because graphic designer gives off a notion that we only push visual elements around on paper/screen and communication designer is corporatease for “the message(content) is more important than aesthetics(form)”. I’d say use designer because in a nut shell that’s what we are. Just because we design a piece for a client on paper that doesn’t mean we can’t pick the colors for his/her boring looking office, which makes us interior designers, and so on… would you decline sony if they asked you to design their new phone? or would you say I’m sorry I only do print?

19. David Says:
    January 13th, 2009 at 7:30 am

    I fear that many artists out there have what could be called limited experience when compared to the broad definition of Communication Design.

    I wonder due to this broad definition of the term, if using the term Communication Design will take hold faster as a corporate term, a service offered, more than as a description of what an individual does for a living.

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