Abstract
The phrase ‘Graphic Design’ has been the adopted name for the branch of Visual Art that combines text, illustration and other visual elements to communicate messages. This name has reigned for decades, however, since the emergence of the digital revolution and the information age, different names have been adopted to replace the popular name graphic design. The adaptation of the new names has sparked controversy in the fraternity across the world, and these ideological positions have created confusion among people outside the profession regarding a definite name for the profession. In this paper, the researchers who are part of the fraternity and in academia sought the views and opinions of graphic design tutors in senior high schools in the Cape Coast metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana on the controversy through questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, and a total of 10 graphic design tutors were used. The data was analysed and discussed using quasi qualitative-analytical approaches. The findings revealed that, there are diverse entrenched opinions of people in the controversy which does not suggest a possibility of compromise to adopting a definite name soon. To indicate their position in the argument, the researchers employed critical thinking and inductive reasoning to examine the facts that emerged from the views of the tutors discussed, and the findings from the analytical review, and concluded on what they believe should be the appropriate name for the programme. Keywords: Graphic Design, Communication Design, Visual Communication Design and Graphic Communication Design. DOI: 10.7176/ADS/86-04 Publication date: October 31 st 2020
Highlights
The term “communication” was derived from the Latin word “communis” which means “common”
It emerged from the reviews that, the name graphic design was maintained until 1960s when the digital revolution and information age emerged in the advanced countries
Based on the above justifications, the researchers would suggest that the name ‘Graphic Communication Design’ be adopted for the profession for the following reasons; the word ‘graphic’ used in the proposed name will help the public to associate the profession with the established name: ‘graphic design’
Summary
The term “communication” was derived from the Latin word “communis” which means “common”. The etymology of the word proves that, the word “communication” is a generic term used to describe the processes of sending information from one source to another In other words, it is a meaningful exchange of information between two and a group of people. Metts (2004) believes that, communication should be based on a process in which messages, whether intentional or unintentional, create meaning This presupposes that unless a common understanding results from exchange of information, there is no communication (Cheney, 2011). To replace the popular name graphic design This development has created confusion among the public especially people who are less knowledgeable about the graphic design profession as to which of the names is appropriate for the profession. This questionnaire aims at seeking the views and opinions of graphic design educators in senior high schools in the Cape Coast metropolis on various adopted names for the graphic design programme, and which of them must be accepted for the programme.
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