Graphic Design As Communication.

"Most people see more example of graphic design before they get to work than they see examples of art in a year.  Before they are even fully awake, most people will see the numbers and letters on the faces of alarm clocks, the colours, shapes and lettering on tubes of toothpaste, the letters and symbols on taps and showers; the signs for 'On' and 'Off' on the kettle, the packaging of their tea or coffee, the station idents on morning television - and the print, photography and layout of the newspaper.  This is before they climb into cars (with front and rear badges and logos, and a dashboard full of tiny pictures, symbols and numbers) or onto buses and trains (encrusted with corporate identities, advertising and more badges and corporate logos), and make it along the road (adorned with advertising, bus stops, shop-fronts and other signs giving warnings, instructions, information and directions), to work - where yet more graphic design informs them of the location of Reception, lifts and toilets.

Graphic design is everywhere.  Yet it is often taken for granted, passing unnoticed and unremarked as it blends in with the visual culture of everyday life."

                                                                                                      Malcolm Barnard.

Taken from "Graphic Design As Communication" which I thought I would read to spark my dissertation research.  The book provides an insight into graphic design as an integral contributer to the formation of social and cultural identities.  I don't know why, I just liked the passage.  As someone who is aware of graphic design, corp identities and advertising - I still don't think I realised quite how much is taken for granted... eyes open from now on!