reading #8

The forward written by Sagmeister talks about why he enjoys being a graphic designer and provides a brief history of the experience he has had. His advice to being a designer without losing your sole is to stop and think and reflect on what you are doing. By doing this you can internally evaluate whether you are satisfied with what your doing. This is good advice for anyone in any profession and especially for a student just about to graduate.

The introduction simply laid out what the book was going to cover and what it will not in the following chapters. Beyond this, the introduction discusses the problems newcomers to the graphic design field will face and explains that it is a guide book that can help students.

Chapter one listed philosophical and practical attributes needed to be a graphic designer. The list includes cultural awareness,communication, and integrity. As a designer you must have a cultural awareness of the world around you. Because communication is the most important part of your career, understanding symbols, puns, cues, and other cultural references for the audience you are targeting is vital to your success. Also communication skills is crucial for you in your business dealings, being able to discuss your ideas but more importantly, you being a good listener and learning from others. Integrity is a philosophical problem that likely will arise in this career. You may find yourself doing something you don’t agree with simply because you need the work. Money and conscience will need to be weighed and each person will have to search their own heart to decide.

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