Over the last decade, I have gained a great deal of practical, hands-on experience in the world of graphic communication. From Web design to print production to video editing and motion graphics, I have tried virtually everything, and I constantly strive to enhance my skillset within each subspecialty.
After all this experience with the various facets of the industry, which aspect of graphic communication do I find most appealing and most important? Web design and development, without a doubt. Why? I look at it this way... if the function of graphic design is to enable communication, then what is the most efficient, most cost-effective way to do this?
The answer is the Web. With a few keystrokes and clicks of a mouse, a Web site can be uploaded to a Web server where it can be easily retrieved by literally billions of people around the world at relatively little cost to the Web site's producer.
Consider the alternative: If you were selling the features of a product or service, you could print thousands of printed brochures with detailed product specifications. It sounds good at first. However, distributing that printed brochure requires a tremendous amount of effort, not to mention that it can't possibly reach as many people as a Web site can. More importantly, what happens in three months when that product is updated and the specs have changed? You guessed it: throw out all of the old remaining brochures and go through the expensive and time-consuming process of printing new ones.
That's not an effective way to communicate a message.
In today's world, the Web is clearly the most effective means of graphic communication, and it is at the heart of everything I do.
