Monday, July 06, 2009
You've probably already realised that graphic designers are a weird bunch. There's clearly something wrong with people who discuss the beauty of the letter ‘R’ and the wonder of gloss varnishes while sipping a pint down the pub. But did you also know we all suffer from the same terrible curse?
It's the inability to get through the day without a constant critique of the world around us. But that’s because graphic design is everywhere - we can't escape it - which means the curse can strike at any time.
For example, going out for a romantic dinner; there's soft candlelight and gentle music, then, bang, it happens. As we open the menu all we can see is the horror of the badly spaced type in the dessert section. All our loved one can see in our eyes is sheer horror at the double space in the wine list!
Cinemas are another danger zone. When the adverts come on, we’ll see one that’s poorly executed and aimed at completely the wrong audience. And while everyone else kicks back and enjoys the show, we’re busy working out alternative solutions to the brief. By the time we've finished congratulating ourselves on the chosen route for its sheer simplistic brilliance, we've missed the first 15 minutes of the film.
Other professions don't suffer this affliction. A surgeon doesn’t walk to work constantly assessing badly performed operations. An accountant is blissfully unaware that the numbers don’t quite stack up at another company.
There is, however, a positive to this life-long affliction. Our frustration and despair turn to passion and drive once we pick up our layout pads. Our annoyance isn't directed at aesthetics alone but ineffectual design. Surely this can only help us in our creative pursuits?
There are, as Philippe Starck describes them, narcissistic designers - those who create beautiful things purely for other designers of beautiful things. Starck, when creating a new toothbrush for example, was not concerned with the opinion of other designers, but the people who would actually use the toothbrush and if it would do what it was designed to do – clean teeth.
Our primary responsibility as designers is to create an experience. Remember design is everywhere and affects everybody – from a multimillion pound re-brand to a sign for a toilet door. So as designers we may be cursed, but allow us to worry about the detail, get irate with the mistakes, and then you can sit back and enjoy the experience.
Vicky Trainer
vicky.trainer@greentarget.net