I enjoy the enthusiasm and energy of the group you describe as hobbyists, Preston; I like interacting with them to learn new techniques I’m not aware of and try to apply these techniques with the principles I was taught. I think it may be easier for this to pick up on basic design principles than my definition of a hobbyist: a person who does not pay attention not just to basics, but to the needs of either a developer or print shop, and who considers designing in MS Word or Publisher “good enough” for their clients’ needs. My definition of a hobbyist takes either the programmer/developer and printer for granted, figuring they can do whatever is handed to them, period. In my opinion, if a graphic designer doesn’t work closely with the other professions, how can the project move forward? Just a thought.

I think the professional and hobbies share good qualities and they both should be combined. It’s good exercise to let loose and simply be creative, forget any rules, just let your imagination go. At the same time it’s also good to restrict yourself and pay attention to the details such as color, balance and space.

With the above combination you will look forward to be a more successful, happier designer who will be excited to wake up and sit in front of his/her computer.

I especially liked: The most successful designs are those that most effectively communicate their message and motivate their consumers to carry out a task.

I’m guessing that’s what problem solving in graphic design is: effectively communicating a message that motivates an action.

I guess my main problem was simply semantics, my idea of problem solving isn’t the same as a designer’s idea of problem solving.

I found a chapter in a book that explains this better than I can:
The education of a graphic designer by Steven Heller – The Problem with Problem Solving – Pg 145

This is what I was going to write before I read the article you mentioned:

Problem: old packaging did not break through the clutter.
Solution: redesign the packaging.

Problem: design appeals to wrong target audience.
Solution: redesign packaging to appeal to specific audience.

But my problem is, why did the original designer (the designer whos packaging you are going to fix) design what he did.
What was the problem he was solving?

end

Answer from the article: effectively communicating a message that motivates an action.

Thanks again.

What problems do designers that don’t design traffic signs solve?

I’m thinking I don’t understand designers’ meaning of “problem solving”. I come from a programming background and the idea of art solving problems is difficult to grasp.

Thanks Again. Definitely looking forward to hearing what other have to say.

If you’re at an airport will you be more likely to find your terminal if the signs are designed with Helvetica, than if they were designed with Papyrus?

Isn’t the only difference that one looks nicer than the other?

Sorry if this sounds hostile, its not. I’m writing a paper for an art theory class and its kicking my butt.

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Ben

As far as your question #2 at the beginning of the post goes, I would have to say that if the hobbyist is not solving problems, the professional designer is more desirable.