I started out as an artist, then switched as it was not practical for me.

It was my fault really. I was lousy at trying to sell portraits. Yeah, I had grand dreams of being a famous portrait artist.

Comments like “why should I pay you hundreds of dollars when I can just take me a polaroid?” were too much to bear.

Selling design is easier for me. But it’s not just the design I’m selling. It’s the whole.

When I walk clients through the proposal, I explain in detail and they do get it.

They understand that design is just a part of what they are paying for.

If I was only selling design, clients certainly wouldn’t agree to what I’m charging.

…wait, the word ‘artist’ commands no respect either, being an artist myself. Though I still label myself an artist even though I paint, draw, design, conceptualize, communicate, and generally try to improve something by using some sort of medium. Do you consider yourself an artist?

I didn’t mean to be rude in my last post (intonation doesn’t translate well over the keypad…) I am sincerely interested in this discussion, because as an artist, I feel there is little respect, understanding, or fair reimbursement for the work an artist does. But that respect is up to the client, I think (hey, if there’s no demand, there’s no pay. If there is demand, you can make a great living doing something you love). Other’s opinions and willingness to understand what I do is somewhat out of my control.

I’m sure the term Communication Design may just illicit the same glazed expression, if not an eye-roll from the same people. If the general public is not interested in what I do, I can’t say I’d care too much. But there are plenty of people out there who do respect the creative types of industries. Those are the only ones I care to talk to about what I do. The others? …. *snore*

I think that people can speak most effectively through their work, ambition, and creativity – not their title.

I have been frustrated at the respect the title ‘artist’ gets… but hey, I’m doing what I love, and the term, if not well understood, fits a broad range of abilities that few other people have. I’m okay with that. (though I, too, could use a little extra cash.

In response – we are being realistic. We strongly feel that we are no more Graphic Designers than we are Graphic Artists or Commercial Artists.

And as far as the general public understanding what Graphic Designers do, if I ever mention it, their eyes glaze. When I ask them what Graphic Designers do, they mumble something about Photoshop.

For search engines you do what one usually does – mention the skills on offer – web design, graphic design, photography, copywriting, marketing, project management … etc.

If you google Communication Design, you’ll see a number of Universities are already teaching CD, with Graphic Design as a subset.

Really, it’s just arguing semantics.