As a graphic designer, so many times I am asked, “What does a graphic designer actually do?” Well, in the made-for-television version, we hang around a funky office with a laptop in one hand and a ping pong paddle in the other. But in reality, our jobs are a lot more serious than that. Yes, we do have fun, but the fun is in having the opportunity to be creative and the bonus is getting paid for it. Despite the picture painted on television, we don’t sit around and play all day.

A graphic designer’s work is a part of your daily life—from the Web sites you visit to the magazines you read, to the cereal box you take out of your pantry in the morning. Our job is to communicate ideas visually to promote products or services when words alone don’t tell the whole story. And, it’s not as easy as just jumping on a computer and pushing the mouse around all day. We have an extensive process—we research, brainstorm ideas, sketch out initial thoughts, and follow design theories—all while working closely as a team with copywriters, marketing professionals and fellow designers to produce and deliver effective materials for clients. Our computers are merely tools that aid the process.

What are your thoughts on the perception of graphic design among the general public?