Top 3 | Advice on Creative Design Solutions

My Personal Reflection on 3 chosen from Chapter 1 of Visual Workout Creativity Workbook (2000) by Robin Landa & Rose Gonnella

#1  “A great design (composition – use of visual elements) is always relevant to the message and audience, not just to the designer’s taste (for example, compositional style must be appropriate).”   – Prof Martin Holloway

A creative piece can be executed perfectly and be magnificent to look at, but if it does not meet at least the minimum requirement to be a solution to a visual problem, then it has failed.  If it does nothing to draw in the intended audience and does not present the message that it was supposed to send, it is not a design solution.  A designer must always design with the intended audience in mind.  For example, using the right color scheme – neon colors may work for a teenage audience, but would be disastrous on a poster for retired seniors.

In my future career as a graphic designer, I will judge the success of my work based on not just the appearance or aesthetics, but whether or not it accomplishes the purpose for which it was created.  I will ask myself questions such as “Does this appeal to the intended audience? Is this sending the right message?”  My designs for clients/organizations will be appropriate for them and may not always agree with my personal sense of style and design.

#2  “Concept works and is believable, clear and smart.” –  Prof Robin Landa

Certain ads and images out there are very puzzling. You look at them and question whatever possessed the artist or creative firm to do such a thing because it absolutely makes no sense.  Other times, you view certain ads and pieces of work and think to yourself, “Brilliant – genius!” because it works great with what it was created for.

In my work, I definitely would aim for concepts that work and is believable, clear, and smart.  This totally agrees with my personal philosophy concerning my visual designs.  I want to create things that make sense and are believable, not things that make the audience go, “Huh? What was that all about?”  I would like to create things that from the first moment draws the viewer in and go, “Wow! That makes perfect sense!”

#3 “Image – unusual or new way of presenting or treating the image for visual impact and symbolic effect.” – Prof Alan Robbins

Graphic design is so ubiquitous nowadays, that it is so refreshing to see something new or someone who creates something different that stands out from the rest!  Oftentimes, you see the same type of style repeated over and over in various media, that it becomes another been there, done that sort of thing.

Although, this may not always be possible – I definitely want to try to steer clear of design solutions that are dull or boring.  Ideally, I would like to present something fresh and new to the world.  But I know that depending on the type of client or organization that I work with, this is not always possible.  But if I had things my way and had sufficient time, I would like to treat images in an unusual or different way from what is already out there.