Being in graphic designing for past several years, I have learned my lessons….both good and bad. I hate to be the bearer of the bad part but today I aim to share the dark side of graphic designing with my readers.To my surprise, I was shocked at hearing this perception about graphic designing. Is graphic designing really just art done on computer? Well of course not. This is one of the many design myths circulating the graphic design industry for decades. Being in graphic designing for past several years, I have learned good enough things about this field….both good and bad. I hate to be the bearer of bad things but today I aim to discuss the dark side of graphic design. I think it’s hightime you step out your fools’ paradise.

1. All Graphic Designers are Rich and Famous:

It is a common perception that one makes big money in the field of graphic designing. Although I’m truly flattered that graphic designing is considered as an elite field, but this myth is not true for all graphic designers. Moreover, the newbie designers also misconstrue that going into graphic designing will reap big bucks and fame. Probably derived from the lifestyle of fashion designers, this myth does not hold true for all graphic designers.

2. Graphic Designing is Child’s Play:

This is perhaps one of the most evil and damaging myth about graphic design. There is a general graphic designing misconception that it is all about Adobe Photoshop. People think that even a kid who knows his way around Photoshop can do graphic designing. With all due respect, if that was the case, kids playing with toy cars should be racing in the circuit alongside Michael Schumacher. My point here is that, graphic designing is not child’s play and involves extensive experience and thorough research.

3. Creativity is Innate, it cannot be attained:

Graphic design is not something that pops out of thin air. Similarly, creativity is also a concept based on experience, knowledge and dedication. Nobody is born with a bundle of creative skills in hand. With exception of a few special cases, every person is born with a clean slate and with equal capabilities. It is the environment that shapes and moulds you into who you are. Creativity requires motivation and dedication which is possible only if you utilize your opportunities and environment correctly.

4. Graphic Designing is done 100% on computer:

“Ok, so I have to design a brand identity, let me start my computer and I’ll begin working.” This is another deadly fallacy that surrounds the graphic design world. Graphic designing is not purely done on the computer. If you rely on the PC, your creativity and thinking skills are constrained. Every Graphic design project starts with a manual sketch and brainstorming session done on paper. When the initial concept is ready, then it goes to the computer.

5. You Require a Degree to become a Graphic Designer:

“I’m sorry you don’t know how to design because you don’t have a degree…” it’s a sorry state to see that many design firms focus their hiring on the basis of design degrees and not natural talent. It is a fallacy to think that you need a design degree to become a graphic designer. Although I don’t mean to discourage studies and bookish knowledge but graphic designing depends more on the natural talent that a person has. Knowledge is about more tacit than explicit.

6. Graphic Designers Will Know Everything:

This myth has spawned from the client side of the graphic design relationship. Clients hold a wrong perception that graphic designers know everything and don’t need to be briefed about the design. This is not true…every designer needs a blueprint of the project they are working on. This is why designers obtain a design brief from their clients.

7. Graphic Designers Are Always Right:

Another wicked myth surrounding graphic designers is that they never accept their mistakes and blunders. This is one of the biggest weaknesses of many designers…ego. This false misconception can cause real damage to the reputation of graphic designers. A famous quote by Salvador Dali, says it all:
“Have no fear of perfection, you will never reach it.”

8. There is No Difference between a Logo and a Brand:

This is a misconception that I addressed in one of my last weeks’ post titled “Your brand is not just a logo”. Some clients come up and say “I want to build a brand for my business…all I need is a logo.” The reality is otherwise…logo design is just a minor portion of the branding process.

9. Graphic Designers Can Repair Computers:

“Hey Buddy, you’re a graphic designer right? Can you fix my computer for me?” I bet this statement would enrage all graphic designers. There is a mass misconception that graphic designers are computer geeks and can fix any computer hardware/software issue. Well folks, the reality is graphic designers are not IT specialists…we may know a few computer related stuff asides graphic design, but that doesn’t make us PC repairman. It would be better if designers are not addressed as IT guys.

10. Simple Designs Cost Less Time and Money:

This is one client myth that graphic designers face every day. People generally underestimate the value of a design project. They base their valuation on the simplicity of the design and not on the creative and analytical element behind its creation. Let me remind these confused people that minimalism is a design trend that calls for reducing the object to its basic features. This does not make it a simple and cheap design. Behind the simplest of designs is a deep and complex concept. It is equally worthy of reimbursement as a complicated design project is.

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Just in time to brighten up this rainy Northern California weather! Last week, had the pleasure of creating a name pennant for Mila's First Birthday.

The pennant was going to be used at Mila's party and then again in a photoshoot with Jacqueline Photography. Can't wait to share pics from Jackie! I'm sure the shoot with Mila & her doting parents will be super-cute.

The pennant was inspired by Mila's birthday outfit ... an adorable tutu with rainbow & cupcake accessories by Hannah's Tutu's on Etsy.

Thanks bunches Kaci for allowing me to be part of Mila's special day!!

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If you liked the Tissue Pom Poms in the post below ... well the wait is over! Poms are now available in the SJD Etsy Shop! Currently, I have one item for 7 poms available in the shop ... but you can convo us via Etsy or email us directly for custom orders any time.

We'll be loading full-color pics of each solid matte color all fluffed out and looking fab over the next several days. We have bunches of orders already for client baby showers, first birthdays, etc. ... and can't wait to share what we've been working on! Some really fun & creative takes on the tissue pom.

Making all these sample Poms to photograph for the shop sure is gunna take a while!!! You can't even imagine how much room all this tissue takes up either. When the order of came in yesterday it was a tad overwhelming to say the least. We're talking approximately 6000 sheets of premium tissue!

And ... coming in next weeks order ... patterns!!! Aaaaaa, I can't wait! :)

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Here's another fun kids birthday party I worked on a few weeks ago! This bright and girly roller skate themed party was for Hailee's 10th birthday. Hailee is the niece of my bud Rebecca at Sweet Cakes by Rebecca. {Catching a common thread in my posts? Rebecca and I really dig working on parties together!!}

Rebecca {of course} did all the desserts, including ... roller skate cake, a personal mini cupcake-cake tower especially for Hailee, mini cupcakes in two flavors, green apple marshmallows, roller skate sugar cookies, lemon bars, chocolate cake pops and mini panna cotta. She also added fun touches like green & orange gum balls, popcorn and {Hailee's favorite} Cheetos Spiral Puffs!

I handled the paper finery ... found a cool pattern paper to play off of {Rebecca took elements of the paper pattern and incorporated it into the cakes design} and we took off from there! Papery included ... tissue pom poms, name pennant, dessert tags, confetti and tagged snack/goodie bags.

As always ... complete party packages {including desserts by Sweet Cakes by Rebecca} are available. Give us a ring!

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amy + matt's wedding symbol.

an ode to their amazing son and amy's love for mary poppins.

save-the-date kite for amy + matt, who will be wed this summer at ocean place in long branch, new jersey. we are in love with their color palette and are busy putting the final touches on their invitations now. let's just say carousel horses, lace, vintage planes, and ferris wheels!

kite save-the-date

digital ink on metallic paper

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Headstrong is a project I worked on for an art director in Belgium. A good example to show the amount of preliminary sketching involved when creating a lettering piece from scratch.



Having done some 40+ sketches I let the client choose which version to proceed with. The version selected required additional development.



After setting up the initial character lines I decided to proceed with additional sketches. Initially there were too many irregular overlapping lines with no consistent baseline or X-height. I did some quick studies with a Condor pen and choose the version on the bottom to scan and use as a revised template in Illustrator.



With the new template image everything fell into place with weights, B/W contrast and visual clarity. Big difference from the initial attempt.



This was one of those rare projects in my lettering career in which a client loved the progress sketches including the final lettering, had full knowledge of pricing and payment responsibility but decided to not pay for any of the work I produced for unknown reasons. Regardless, this one is a very cool lettering piece to show which I believe will lead to something positive with more opportunities for interesting lettering projects in the future.

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carnival-inspired table numbers, menus, and seating chart designed for jamie's bat mitzvah. we absolutely adore the pinwheel centerpieces designed by beautiful blooms.

party details and flowers by beautiful bloom events.

photos courtesy of leapfrog photography.

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