Given that the world of graphic design is filled with creative people, it’s no wonder there are so many fascinating facts orbiting it. Take a few moments to read the following 10 fascinating facts for graphic designers, and perhaps you’ll learn something that will make for outstanding conversations with your fellow designers.
- It took six years, three committees and 14 men to complete the design for the Great Seal of the United States
Founding fathers such as Franklin and Jefferson went to work on the seal before the U.S. won its independence. These are representative of the original designs:
And, of course, this is what the Seal ultimately became:
- Pepsi’s name is derived from pepsin, a digestive enzyme that breaks down aminos acids
Before that, it was called “Brad’s Drink.” Coca-Cola was given the opportunity to buy the company three different times between 1922 and 1933, but declined each time.
- The average graphic designer in the U.S. makes $45/hour (median salary)
You can make more by moving up to art director ($55/hour) or by going solo (potentially).
- There will be more than 300,000 graphic designers working in the U.S. by 2020
This stat according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts a 13 percent growth rate in the design industry over the next six years.
- Sans-serif typography has existed since at least 5 BC
It was first employed by the Greeks for stoichedon inscriptions, which featured a gridded appearance.
- Serif fonts may have been unintentional
Some speculate that the use of serif fonts only came about because Romans first painted the outlines of letters onto stone, which were followed by stone carvers. The painters left brush marks at the ends of their strokes, which the stone carvers likewise followed to create serifs.
- Japanese and Chinese writing also feature serif type styles in addition to sans serif
Different type styles (i.e. fonts) may be part of the reason many have trouble learning to read new languages.
- More than 27 million business cards are printed daily
This means more than 10 billion business cards are produced in the U.S. annually.
9. For every 2,000 business cards handed out, sales increase by an average of 2.5 percent
Despite the fact that 88 percent of all business cards handed out will be thrown away within one week.
- “Art director” is listed in the top 100 most satisfying careers
Just before “customer service representative” and after “glazier.”
What fascinating facts for graphic designers do you know? Share them in the comments!
Author’s Bio: Brian Morris writes for the PsPrint Design & Printing Blog. PsPrint is an online commercial printing company. Follow PsPrint on Twitter @PsPrint
