Why is it important for communication majors to study design?
Design is a medium of communication, thus it is imperative for students studying communications to have an understanding of design. The majority of communication that humans utilize is nonverbal, making design essential.
Especially with the widespread integration of marketing, public relations and advertising, having the ability to hybrid skills of design with other communication tools is crucial. The current job market is very aggressive, and having knowledge of how to handle design situations gives one a competitive edge.
Why does good design matter?
The difference between good design and poor design makes a huge difference, especially in communication. Consumers judge books by their covers all the time, and if the design of a given product is poor, it could be looked over or even give the producer a bad image. Design is a form of nonverbal communication, having a very profound effect on a company.
Favorite piece of design:
Coca-Cola’s winter 2011 can designs stand out when I think of a design that I like. Coca-Cola seems to always have can designs that are relevant to the current times, whether it be the season, or the current national craze.
I like the simplicity of the Coke cans from this winter’s design. It is eye-catching, and has an underlying message. The polar bears on the can are a temporary redesign as a part of a joint campaign that the company is undertaking with the World Wildlife Foundation to protect the Arctic habitat of its wintertime mascot, the polar bear.
Coke made an initial $2 million donation to the WWF at the beginning of its campaign, which also adds to my liking of the design. The design has meaning, and promotes Coke’s awareness of Arctic habitat conservation.
Any other impressions I have of our first class meeting:
I am excited to learn more about design, how it is used in communications-related fields, and to learn skills that I will actually be able to utilize in the future.
