Digital Graphic Design: Fusion of Art and Technology

By Kelly Richardson
kelly.richardson@graphicdesignschoolreview.com
Graphic Design School Review Columnist

From the good old days of Milton Glaser's world famous "I Love NY" emblem, graphic design has undergone some remarkable changes. But no change is more important to the industry than the arrival of the digital age. Cutting-edge software tools have spawned a new niche called digital graphic design.

The Internet is arguably the most important invention since the automobile. The ability to instantly exchange information has had an enigmatic effect on nearly every conceivable industry. The graphic design and architecture fields are certainly no different. A study conducted by Forrester Research reported that three of four factors most likely to drive repeat visitors to a Web site were design-related: ease of use, download time, and freshness. As you can imagine, digital graphic design could deliver on all of them.

The History of Digital Graphic Design
The arrival of the digital age increased what was possible in the graphic design world, and impact of digital design on the Web is clear. Here's how digital design has matured since its inception.

• Desktop Publishing. The early 80s saw the arrival of Adobe Illustrator and Aldus Pagemaker, both of which expanded design capabilities.
• Apple Apps. Apple Macintosh computers quickly became the standard for most graphic design pros and computer assisted designers.
• Flashy Tools. Today's common digital graphic design titles include Macromedia Flash, Adobe Creative Sweet, and DreamWeaver.

Digital Design World Conference: Future of Digital Graphic Design
Once the digital design field gained some momentum, it wasn't long before professional organizations and think tanks began to map out the future for this technical field. The Digital Design World Conference marked the dawn of a graphics revolution.

• The Conference. This three-day event is dedicated solely to digital graphic and architectural design and has catapulted the industry forward.
• The Sessions. Attendees of the conference are treated to intense session on the cutting-edge tools that will become the industry standard.
• The Speakers. Also on hand are some of the biggest names in digital graphic design to provide some insight for a captivated audience.

There's little doubt that the digital design field is poised for a bright future. With the demand for digital graphic design pros growing, the outlook for this industry is good.

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.