What is a Graphic Designer?

Renowned designer Sagi Haviv reflects on the three essential characteristics of a modern designer

Sagi Haviv (@sagi) is a partner and designer for the famous branding and design studio, Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv. The Animal Planet, US Open and Conservation International logos are among Haviv’s biggest designs.

This influential and legendary designer has launched a course on Domestika focused on how to develop your own voice as a designer. Here are his thoughts on what exactly a graphic designer is.

A designer must be multi-skilled

You might think the work of a designer consists of simply organizing certain elements on the computer so that they are pleasant to the eye. However, Haviv asserts that a good designer must master a series of skills. They should understand drawing and typography, computers and clients, and resolve numerous problems, among other things. Their most important skill, however, is to be able to keep coming up with new ideas. This is the heart of their work: creativity.

The designer versus the Renaissance

Sagi Haviv recalls the Renaissance, where creatives were trained in numerous disciplines. As in the case of Da Vinci, who as well as an artist, was a scientist and inventor. This resembles the skills a modern designer develops naturally in their creative work.

On the other hand, good designers have an artistic approach to their creations. One example is the portfolio, a tool that will help you reach new levels, and that has its own artistic value. Although both the Renaissance artist and the modern designer work with clients, a designer can enrich his personal experience and portfolio with personal projects.

A designer is not an artist

However, Haviv recognizes that there are basic differences between designers and artists. An artist must resolve their own problems, in that lies their work. In contrast, a designer must resolve the problems of others.

Finally, an artist can work in isolation for days without needing to interact with anyone. Meanwhile, designers must work with clients to be able to create. They must be interacting with people at all times.

What qualities do you think a graphic designer should have?
Find out more more from Sagi Haviv on his course Logo Design: From Concept to Presentation and learn the basic principles of logo design and discover your personal identity as a designer.

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