10 Misconceptions about Graphic Designing – The claims and blames!!
Charlie B. Johnson Comments  21

Graphic Designing is a very flexible career choice with combination of paths to go down. However, at times amazing claims (by my friends and clients) make me doubt my own profession. Short and sweet, graphic designers are often blamed for enjoying extra charms and advantages of their profession, which are not true in many ways.

However, to clear up some misconceptions and for a bit of fun I’ve listed together the claims and blames aboutGraphic Designing. Considering my personal experience and adding few points from a well known blog “Creative Opera” I managed to compile 10 misconceptions about Graphic Designing. I hope this will be helpful for designers and clients alike.
 
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Abstract designs are claimed to be silly….Aaarghh!!
Creative masterpieces of abstract art are often tagged as “silly attempt” by most of the viewers. I have a personal experience that whenever graphic designers come up with an abstract design people find it meaningless and whacky. Such compliments are really annoying and discouraging.
 
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Graphic Designers charge more – I object!!
As every design is different from the other so it’s a common perception that graphic designers charge high. People think that we don’t have a fixed price list so we can charge any client more for our services. Let me make clear, that every projct has its own demands and the designers always charge accordingly. Surveys have proved that most of the designers are under paid especially the freelancers.
 
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It’s an easy job –Are you joking??
Whenever I introduce myself as a designer, the first statement I get to hear is “Oh what fun it must be doing such an easy job.” It is really irritating to find graphic designing being tagged as a “light and non-serious” profession. Playing with colors and design softwares all day long doesn’t mean that we are not into an important career.
 
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All Graphic Designers make big money – You kidding!!!!
It’s a common notion that graphic design brings fame and fortune easily. I am sure, you all would hate me for breaking this news that its all not that easy to achieve. Designing has become such a competitive field that there are number of people willing to work for less, and unfortunately, that keeps the salary rate pretty low.
 
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Designers don’t face the client dealing difficulties – It’s not true!!

Many people believe that designers don’t have to tolerate the nitty gritty stuff coming from the customers. You are mistaken here…even after submitting all the details, customers won’t let the designers live in peace until they get their desired design. Infact, I think graphic designers face a lot of customer interference and keep on coming with revisions to satisfy the client.
 
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Internet can make anyone a good designer – Really??
It’s true that internet has bulk of tutorials and tools packed up to help you design. Knowing a little Photoshop or basic techniques of web designing can never make you a professional designer. You need to have a proper degree, research, experience and know some creative graphic designing tips
 
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Designers don’t follow any specific rules – I don’t agree:
Graphic Designing is looked up as an easy-going and lively job, so the audience thinks that there are no specific working hours and deadlines to be met. I think no game can be won until being played by its particular rules. So, stop thinking of graphic designing as a non-serious job and realise how hard we work to get our projects done on time.
 
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Fresh college grads are instantly hired – Not that lucky :(

While in college, students enjoy learning Photoshop 3 and Illustrator and try getting some freelancing projects. This make them assume that as soon as they graduate they will be working in some multi-national company or overloaded with bulk of projects. I would say they are living in a fool’s paradise because its not an easy job to get hired.
 
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It’s easy for you to have your own company – I wish:
Most of the students and freelancers think that soon they can start multi-million dollar company. I would say its not smart enough to assume that you can have a company of your own with no prior experience and hard work. Ithink
 
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Designers copy each other’s ideas – Absolutely wrong:
When designers mention that they take inspiration from nature, their surroundings or from other designer’s work, they are held responsible for copying other people’s work. As a designer I know that taking inspirations to come up with an innovative creative idea is part of our job but it is mean of people to blame us for copying ideas.
 
Listing all these myths about graphic designing doesn’t mean that I deny the scope and success about this field.We all know that every profession requires hard work and immense effort and same goes for graphic designing. Our audience and clients cannot omit graphic designing from the list of competitive professions.

Still, I am ready for all types of criticism and will like to know how many of you still find graphic designing to be an easy career comparatively. Well, for my graphic designer friends…I want you all to take this post as a platform and share other not-so-fair claims about graphic designing and let people know how much effort we put in.
 
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Posted in: Cool Stuff, Design Inspiration, General Graphic Design, Tips for Graphic Designers

21 Responses to “10 Misconceptions about Graphic Designing – The claims and blames!!”

Thompson Touch | June 1st, 2009 at 8:31 am

I tell everyone all I do all day is draw on the computer and make things look pretty. They seem to like that so I go with it.

Kyle | June 1st, 2009 at 10:01 am

This was very well put together, thank you for this.

I agree with you, designers do have to play by the rules. Until you know the rules, you can’t break them… and even then it takes knowing WHEN to break them.

Keep up the good work.

Sayz | June 1st, 2009 at 11:24 am

I’m not daring enough to claim that I am graphic designer,
while I try to learn a lot from internet, by understanding how designer works, and interacting more with the designer. I think it can help my learning process.

And many people think that Graphic Designer only play with image or stick the image onto blank canvas. Just hope they want to try the difficulities graphic designer face.

Roberta Seldon | June 1st, 2009 at 11:42 am

Wonderful article! You really hit home on a lot of points. And speaking of difficult clients, I recently dealt with a client who wanted to include way too many things in one logo. I knew it would look cluttered and unprofessional and I even tried telling the client that. Of course, it was the “look” they were going for, so I had to design it that way anyhow– just for them to see that I was right all along… go figure. So that meant I had to start all over again from square one. Being a designer is not as glamorous as most people would think. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do. But it’s not as easy as some would have you believe. Thanks again for posting this article.

Kathleen Maher | June 2nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm

I’m not a graphic designer and it seems peculiar that people would say things like that. But I’ve heard some very strange things said, especially when it comes to denigrating a rare gift, and all the more so if that gift requires a creative perspective.
One thing I do know: you can’t possibly be truly serious if you don’t appreciate the beauty in being silly. Otherwise, serious is relentless, tedious, bleak, grim, and often pathetic.
Silly on the other hand is always fun, often witty, and in this life much too rare.

UB | June 3rd, 2009 at 8:19 am

How very true! Until you actually witness the “claims” most people don’t understand them. I agree with the last point, inspiration doesn’t mean copy. The world and social climate around us inspires us all to do what we do.

Troy | June 3rd, 2009 at 9:29 am

When I was studying industrial design at university, whenever I was asked what I getting a degree in, I said, “Industrial Design.” This usually elicited a lot of blank stares, so I always followed up with, “I make toasters and stuff.” People usually understood at that point…

It’s amazing to me how many clients have a family who knows MS Paint or something, and then choose *that* person to do their graphic design work. Most clients just don’t see the value.

Julie | June 4th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

A Designer: someone who makes something for a purpose or communication. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it does have to work.

Thanks for reminding the public. The more we put the message out there, the better. Thanks.

Paultx | June 4th, 2009 at 4:14 pm

I agree entirely with all you’ve said on those biased thoughts about design and designers. But I think it’s a contradiction to be sponsored by such a bizz like LogoSnap! :)

Nick | June 11th, 2009 at 8:34 am

When dealing with businesses and business types, it is likely that they will have little idea what goes into a design or why it’s important to do it correct.

They (not all, many) see designers as a printer repair person, an electrician or a carpenter. You pay the money, and you get a logo that you put on stuff.

The flexibility of the product, integrity of the design and overall impact on their product is up to you to make evident.

Many people think design is just making things pretty and slapping some words and colors together, so they expect your job to be easy, quick and cheap.

They usually don’t understand the first thing about how much research and information is plugged into that small logo. Sadly, many people will let someone else create a cheap sub par logo because they don’t understand the importance of design as communication.

In the past it’s just come down to the $$$. No amount of discussion will make some people realize that a logo is anything more than just some required piece of business to seem legit.

chien y | June 11th, 2009 at 7:39 pm

Thanks for the article. It sounds like you are a professional at graphic design. Would you recommend people to get a graphic design diploma through a study at home program? This program is a learn at your own pace program where you can reach the teachers via phone during business hours or via email. I would still be graded on projects and assignments. What is your take on this way to get a diploma in graphic design? Is it practical? A side note: I have 2 kids that is why I am not taking classes at a school. Thank you!!

Jack | June 18th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

Good article, this job is not easy, then again what is?

But you don’t need a diploma or degree to be a successful graphic designer, you need ability, patience, practice, flexibility and imagination/creativity. Most of all you MUST have the right attitude none of which you automatically ‘inherit’ when you get yourself a piece of paper.

Jack | June 18th, 2009 at 3:09 pm

Good article, this job is not easy, then again what is?

But you don’t need a diploma or degree to be a successful graphic designer, you need ability, patience, practice, flexibility and imagination/creativity.

A person MUST above all else, have the right attitude, None of the things mentioned are automatically ‘inherited’ when you get yourself a piece of paper.

Tareq | June 21st, 2009 at 2:55 am

Great article,it’s true what people thinks about graphic design but here in Syria is so much worst, unfortunately anyone here can become a graphic designer by just knwoing Photoshop, and you dont have to be creative, more sadly is most of graphic design offices and all printers do FREE grahic design and makes money out of the printing process, printers hire beganer designers and tell clints “free designs if you print at us” you can easly get a 1000 busines cards in 5$! just like that, a lot of bad designs, no graphic design school and free graphic design.
im writing an article (Syria, country of free design) and these article inspired me and makes me a little angry.

Justin | June 25th, 2009 at 12:07 am

I have gotten used to the idea that we as designers have to always remind clients and others is that design is a profession, not a I hobby. I enjoy the work because it challenges me and I like that aspect of it…but would i call it fun? It’s work. Clients and peopel outside the design world also need to realize we just don’t spend all day at a computer banging out ideas. We do alot of research, thinking and planning in addtiion to creative and production time.

Sue Interior Design | September 4th, 2009 at 1:27 am

I have just come across this site and have found informative and very interesting.

Justin I would have to disagree with your comment, yes design is work and a job but how can you say that its not fun surely you went with this career because you enjoyed it and its something that you wanted to do, yes all jobs do become boring and the same old, but its what you as a person make it to be, being creative is just great sharing different ideas and not just sitting a normal desk job.

ARTIST | October 8th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

Nice pictures.

Here is one more misconception:
IMAGES ON THE INTERNET ARE FREE TO USE

- You should BUY LICENCE instead of STEALING THEM.

I wonder where did you get those images used in this article… Did you pay for them?

Let me guess your answer: “NO”??

Clippingimages | October 9th, 2009 at 5:52 am

Thanks for the great post .. Contains lots of important information :)

Arbenting’s Weekly Inspiration and Best of the Web #8 | Arbenting | November 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 pm

[...] 10 Misconceptions about Graphic Designing – The claims and blames!! - Graphic Designing is a very flexible career choice with combination of paths to go down. However, at times amazing claims (by my friends and clients) make me doubt my own profession. Short and sweet, graphic designers are often blamed for enjoying extra charms and advantages of their profession, which are not true in many ways. [...]

Ben @ CD Calenders | November 15th, 2009 at 4:53 am

Graphic design is my base, and I’ll always have a passion for it. Coming up with effective logos and graphics is a very satisfying career, but the stress customers can put one through is really ridiculous sometimes.

It still rocks to be able to do my own work, and tweak and tune as needed, etc. Not having to employ a pro to do such stuff really does give one a marketing edge.

4x4 trucks | December 1st, 2009 at 12:36 am

Thanks for good and very informative post. I’m an active user of internet and always try to learn something.

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