I am a designer

Most of you know I'm a graphic designer, right? Not a "oh I just like to make things on my computer so I call myself a graphic designer", or a "I just taught myself how to use (insert design program here), so that makes me a designer", or even a "I drew my brother's cousin's stepdad a logo and made his business cards using Microsoft Word designer." No, I'm an actual design degree holder with more than 5 years of graphic design experience.

I've witnessed an onslaught of people trying to take the title of graphic designer and cheapen it by not even having a clue as to what it actual means and consists of. It would be like me claiming to be a writer or an author just because I know how to type on my computer, or claiming to be a nurse just because I can administer medicines to my children and apply bandages. Screw having any actual knowledge of the rules of composition or having any knowledge of the human body. I don't need that, I'm a author/nurse anyway.

All too often I have to fight the stereotype that anyone can design. It's not true. Sure, anyone can try to design, but if you put a design made by a novice and someone who actually knows what they're doing side by side, I guarantee you'll be able to spot the difference. Why is this? An actual designer knows what works and what doesn't. They know the "rules" and when they can break the "rules". They understand what is eye pleasing and what's not. They have probably observed every advertisement, billboard, junk mail piece, web site, etc. with a critical eye for the design of it. Most of all, they have a creative mind capable of creating original designs in a world where we are bombarded by visuals.

During the past 5 1/2 years since I graduated college, I've cried over many designs that weren't chosen, fought against changes, lost my creative voice to many a client's request, had my heart torn out and thrown on the ground by those who didn't understand my work. I've also won awards, been praised up and down for my skills, had my design opinions sought out and valued, and have had my work distributed all across the United States. These are highs and lows I've experienced in the name of graphic design. It's not all sunshine and rainbows. It's not all "I like to make things on my computer because it's fun".

So if you fall into one of those "I think I can design, therefore I must be a designer" categories, just stop. You're not a designer, you're just someone who likes to make things on their computer. And if you're a person looking to get some design done, remember that there's a reason why major corporations pay big money to have professionals do their design. Good design works, but bad design just makes your company look bad.