Title: How did you do that? The value of externalising knowledge in graphic design

Authors: Halldór Halldórsson; Åsa Wikberg Nilsson; Anders Warell

Addresses: Industrial Design, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97434 Luleå, Sweden ' Industrial Design, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97434 Luleå, Sweden ' Industrial Design, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97434 Luleå, Sweden

Abstract: This paper aims to study graphic designers' views on knowledge, considering the challenges faced by the field today. Expressing thoughts about what is needed for a graphic designer to build professional confidence, interview respondents mentioned topics like historical knowledge as well as feedback and presentation skills. To facilitate the navigation of the ever-changing graphic design landscape and to build a solid professional identity, externalising tacit knowledge is a key issue. The study finds that graphic designers mainly talk about their design work when presenting to clients, primarily with the aim of convincing them to accept new proposals. A case can therefore be made for the necessity of developing graphic designers' skills when it comes to explicating design processes with the aim of making it clear to non-designers what it actually is that a graphic designer knows and does, as well as building a stronger theoretical foundation for the profession.

Keywords: graphic design; design knowledge; tacit knowledge; intuition; design rationales; design skills; design methods; digital methods; manual methods; digital vs. manual.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2021.121059

Journal of Design Research, 2021 Vol.19 No.1/2/3, pp.31 - 45

Accepted: 29 Sep 2020
Published online: 23 Feb 2022 *

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