Graphic Design as Communication (Notes)

Graphic Design derives from the ancient Greek word Graphein, which meant mark making.

Design entered into English from the Renaissance French word dessiner, which meant drawing, planning, sketching and designing.

Design is seen to become more like art when moving into print making and advertising.

"A medium.. a means of communication consisting in' the use of words and images on more or less everything"

Broad definition

Not limited to high or low culture

Doesn't exclude fine art

Graphic design is mass

• reproducible
• affordable/accessible to a wide audience
• conveys ideas through a combination of words and image

Marshall Arisman places art, illustration , graphic design and advertising in a scale of purity;

1. Fine Art is pure
2. Illustration is the beginning of selling out
3. Graphic Design is commercial art
4. Advertising is selling- Period

David Bland (1962) also distinguishes art from illustration in terms of 'purity' as it includes words and letters.

Fine art work given titles, establishes a relation to a word even if it doesn't appear in the work

Functions of Graphic Design

2 approaches in direction, social, cultural and economic functions of graphic design as a whole

Are functions individually

The basic functions have changed little over time the first role is:

• Identification- the graphic designer has the role to say what some is
• Information and instruction- these indicate the relationship between one another, scale and position. An example of this can be seen in maps
• Presentation and promotion- aim to envelope the spectator

Functions of Graphic Images

• Symbolic- (Represent something,
• Epistemic- Convey information about the world and its contents
• Aesthetic- Intended to please the audience

Quotation Marks

What is Communication?

Kalman says graphics is a 'means of communication'

Communication is described as a metaphor

Communication Theory

Transfer of information between people

Meggs Dipiction:

Information Source > Transmitter > Signal > Receiver > Recipient

Barnard. M (2005) ‘Graphic Design as Communication’ Cornwall, MPG Books.