What is ‘good’ design? As a graphic designer I am constantly faced with this question. Of course this is not a new question – it’s one that has been faced by artists since the beginning of time. There is the classic ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ view, which definitely holds true. However, from a graphic design point of view, is a design ‘good’ when it appeals to the senses (positively or negatively) or is it ‘good’ when it achieves another purpose?
This question was highlighted for me when I recently attended the Business Mums Network Conference in Melbourne. One of the workshops was on marketing. The speaker put a picture on the screen of an ad on a shopfront window that appeared to have little ‘good design’ and to most workshop participants appeared quite unattractive. The speaker informed us that the ad cost the business owner $150 and brought a 30% increase in profits – not a bad investment!!
As a graphic designer, I would never have designed this business an advertisement that looked like this one did. My reactions to it were ‘tacky’ and other negatives. BUT…it definitely achieved it’s purpose – it got people looking and increased sales for the business.
So what does this mean for graphic designers and others in similar professions? Does it mean we throw out the snazzy designs and focus more on attention grabbing (no matter how tacky)? Is there a balance between the two? Or a time and place for snazzy and tacky?
Yours in Design
Michelle
www.sheldesign.com.au
I remember the example you are talking about. I agree it was not snazzy and professional-looking but I thought it was relevant and was possibly ideal for the clientele – which apparently was the case!
Sometimes snazzy can be too much, and tacky used in clever ways can work, so I think there is a place for a mix – although straight tacky doesn’t work on me!