Ever since I was old enough to speak I have been asked what I wanted to do for a living. Many children my age would simply answer that they wanted to be a doctor, a ballerina, or a fireman, but I always stayed quiet. It wasn’t because I didn’t know what I liked or wanted to do, but because I didn’t know that being a designer was an option. Design as a profession was obscured from the very beginning.
Even my own father told me that making art can always be my hobby, no matter what career I choose. It was only recently that technological advances made him realise being a designer can be a prolific career and he changed his mind.
So why is it that design is swept under the rug this way? Why is it that so many people take it for granted or do not notice it at all? After all, it is a discipline which surrounds us in the form of all the objects we use in everyday life.
At first I thought it may be because design doesn’t necessarily save lives like other professions such as doctors or firemen do, but then I simply remembered that even face masks were designed by someone.
As I may have previously mentioned, I have been asked whetehr ‘I drew that’ by clients before who I was making illustrations for. It took me by surprise as I gathered the impression that they believed I simpy found stock images online and used them for our project, but even if that was the case, someone still designed those too.
Another misconception I came across was the one of how long it takes to design something. I am not sure how familiar non-designers are with the design process, but I can assure you that it takes much more effort than one might think. Designing something like a book cover can take anywhere from weeks to months to design, including multiple client meetings, discarded drafts and iterations. No product is or should be made directly from the first sketch. It takes time and effort from multiple people to develop and manufacture a product.
Try to practice awareness of the design practice while brushing your teeth, for example. Both the toothbrush and the toothpaste were designed specifically to fit into your hand correctly and to keep your teeth clean. The respective packaging was designed to catch your eye in the supermarket. The sink and the tap were also sketched, designed and made by somebody, which might also explain the cost.
And while it’s great getting paid for doing what you love, design isn’t all about money. It’s about a group of people with ideas and passion coming together and bringing them to life. It’s about improving the world, one object, campaign or drawing at a time.
Thank you for reading.
Posted by Ida Ramic
Contact: idaramic@outlook.com
Website: idaramic.com
Instagram: @idaramic
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