This article helped me understand the basic knowledge and breakdown of graphic design, and the role designers play. I always thought an image-based design would have the most impact in conveying a message. However this article has shown me that type-based designs are as important and impactful. The paragraph about the “ordinary” printed page made me realize how design and communication methods are taken into consideration in even the simplest mediums. I also learned how a graphic designer’s role goes beyond the design aspect. He or she is a communicator not only between the client and audience but also works with many other professionals in order to produce the final product.

After reading this article, I learned of the many responsibilities of a graphic designer. A question to the author would be how a designer decides which approach to use and how much of the work is influenced by a collaborator or any outside source? I suppose it would vary depending on the designer. Some may work with the client and other professionals to get differing opinions of whether an image-based design would work better than a typed-base one and vice versa. But if he or she has enough experience maybe he or she would already have in mind which would be the best way to communicate the idea.

In the article “What is Graphic Design?” I learned more about what graphic communication is and ways in which you can approach design. This article made me realize that there are many ways in which you can communicate a message without just using words, but by using different types of visual displays. Some ways you can approach graphic design is either by an image or typed base or hybrid of both, or even use logos, symbols, or logotypes. All these types of methods can be used, but what is most important when it comes to design is that your choice in method has to reflect the idea of what client desires and is able to convey the message properly to the audience.. As a result one of the main points I was able to get through reading the article is that the designer and the client, has to have a mutual understanding and expectation in the ways in which they want to present their ideas to create into a design

If I were given the chance to ask the author any question, I would probably ask the author what they believe to be the best approach to graphic design. In my opinion I feel that choosing an image typed based design would probably be the best approach because it gives you the option to have a balanced between the two. But ultimately the approach in which you go about has to depend on the project and your clients wants.

The article made me think more deeply into the design of logos and ads that I often see. I started to compare the two fashion brands Chanel and Anna Sui. They are both high-end fashion brands but their styles and direction are opposites and are reflected in their graphic designs. Because Chanel represents high-class simplicity, its logotype and graphics are quite simple in style and color, yet elegant. Anna Sui is a more eccentric brand, so its logotype is purple and black with a bolded font, and its graphics are brighter and bolder in color. This article made me understand that the text-based design is just as important as the image-based design when communicating ideas through graphic design.

We are surrounded by advertisements, whether it be in the subway, magazines, or billboards. How does a graphic designer know his or her design will be noticed and remembered by the audience in a sea of advertisements? I suppose he would try to differentiate his designs from everyone else’s by not following the trends. If the trend of graphic design today is simple and sleek, the graphic designer should create more exciting and vivid designs.

What this article really helped me in understanding was the designers role as a bridge between a client with an idea and their audience. A good designer can play both roles, understanding the message that the creator is trying to convey, and creating the best way for the audience to receive this message as accurately as possible. What is interesting about type-based design from a designer’s perspective is that it has to be considered both from it’s role simply as an image as well as how it communicates as letters, words, sentences, etc. For a writer, the font doesn’t change the story they are trying to tell; for a designer, the font could change everything.

As a novice to graphic design, my first question to the author would be when is it best to use images vs. text, or vice versa. My best guess would be that it depends. With images, messages may be more likely to be lost in translation, but could also attract more viewers to the message itself. Images could also be used for a brand that is already well-established, and doesn’t need further explanation. Text, on the other hand, can provide more clarity to a message.