Designers can be a rather misunderstood crowd. “Non-creatives” (that’s a made-up word, but it’s usually the client or someone from the business side of an agency) might think that designers just retouch photos all day, play around on Photoshop, and take forever to make a couple “simple” logos. These are all misconceptions about the profession, to say the least. Allow us to make some clarifications.

There’s No Magic Button or Software

While it’s true that designers have access to some really amazing software with tons of great features and functionalities, there’s no magic button that can easily fix or make revisions to a project instantaneously. All of these updates still require time. They also take a highly qualified person to know how to use these features properly and to know how to address the revisions and provide the correct solution. Yes, these features and functions help to streamline the process and make it efficient, but it’s not like designers can put a product on auto-pilot and end up with the perfect end product. There’s much more involved.

Concept is Queen

At the end of the day (which for many designers means 11:59 PM), no matter how many bells and whistles are on the software that a designer might be using, if they are starting with a bad concept, they won’t be able to create good work. Having a strong and creative concept to start out with is the only way that the creative is going to end up at the high standard that it should—that both the designer will be proud of and the client will end up bragging about.

Not Just “Anyone” Can Do It

If you really want to ruffle some designer feathers, downplay the importance of getting a good education in design. One of the things they teach in design school is, again, the importance of having a solid, well-thought-out concept. An educated designer understands that his or her job is not to just make something “pretty.” An educated designer will also know how to communicate this concept to the client, often times having to “sell” it. An educated designer will have the capability to help clients see the “bigger picture” of the project, why they made certain choices, etc.

Good Work Takes a Good Amount of Time

Another misconception is that good design can be done quickly, within a few minutes. In some instances, it appears that way (like Paula Scher coming up with the Citi Bank logo) but often, it involves a lot of research, setting up the work properly, and the actual concepting and execution. Even when the final output is a minimalistic design that looks like it took someone 15 minutes to put together, the truth is there was a copious amount of research, sketching, revisions, experimentation with color, hating the project, loving the project, layouts, type treatment, executions, and adjustments to get to that final polished piece.
To learn more about us, our designers, and the work we create, head over to our website and check us out.