The Role of Research in Graphic Design

April 23, 2008

What’s the point of having research for a designer?

Research is an intrinsic aspect of design practice and essential part of the activity

for problem solving.

The process involves questioning - whether it leads to the necessity to bridge

client’s needs or to develop certain discourse in design.

Few fundamental theory will be introduced: semiotics, comm.theory,

semantics, and rhetoric.

SemioticsThe study of signs and symbols,

especially the relationship between written and spoken sign with their

relations with the physical or world of ideas.

SemanticsThe branch of linguistic that deals with the study of meaning. Signs, symbols, and meaning that they

represent.

RhetoricThe study of the technique of the

effective use of language, to persuade, influence, or affect

audience.

The discipline of graphic design can be defined in variety of ways - the

most persistent definition over (short) years:

Method to solve problems through visual communication.

Richard Hollis has described graphic design as:

A language with an uncertain grammar and a continuously expanding vocabulary.

Expanding vocabulary refers to the relationship between graphic design and

technology.

Matt Cooke’s Project

The design of the design method and the design of the research method are tasks of a higher order than the design of the

communications.

Jorge Frascara, Design Educator and Writer.

Matt Cooke’s Project

Rather than creating a series of visual proposals and variations of design

solution, he decided to concentrate on developing a working method for his client

in UK.