Which Of The Following Is Not True About Graphic Design?

Graphic design’s everywhere. You’re looking at it right now. It’s on your phone, your cereal box, your Netflix home screen. You can’t really escape it. And because it’s so visible, people tend to think they know exactly what it is.

But truth is, a lot of what folks believe about graphic design is either outdated, oversimplified, or just plain wrong.

Let’s clear up some of the biggest misconceptions.

Myth #1: “Graphic design is all about creativity and personal flair.”

Not quite.

Look, creativity matters — massively. But design isn’t just throwing cool colours and funky fonts around. At the heart of it, design is problem-solving. It’s answering questions like:

• How do we grab attention in 3 seconds?

• How do we make this easy to read?

• How do we guide someone from headline to call-to-action smoothly?

I once worked with a medical tech startup back in 2017. Their original brochure was loaded with gradients and flashy icons… and it confused everyone. We stripped it down, simplified the layout, focused on hierarchy — conversions shot up by 28%. That’s design doing its real job.

Myth #2: “You need expensive software like Adobe Illustrator to be successful.”

This one always makes me laugh.

Yes, Adobe is great — I’ve been using Photoshop since version 5.5 (the one from 1999, not CS5). But honestly? Today, you’ve got brilliant tools like:

• Figma (killer for web design and prototyping)

• Canva (perfect for quick social media graphics)

• Affinity Designer (solid Adobe alternative without the subscription bleed)

• GIMP (old-school but still does the job for many)

What matters most? Understanding alignment, spacing, colour theory, typography. The tools just help you execute.

Myth #3: “Graphic design is only for print—brochures, posters, business cards.”

That was 2003. Not anymore.

These days, I spend most of my time designing:

• Mobile app interfaces

• Websites

• Email newsletters

• Social media ads

• Digital presentations

In fact, about 80% of client briefs I see now are digital-first. Print’s still alive (barely), but digital? That’s where the work is.

Myth #4: “Good designers prioritise their personal vision over client needs.”

Honestly, this is where junior designers sometimes trip up.

Sure, you want your work to have personality. But your main job? Serve the client’s audience. If your design doesn’t help sell the product, build trust, or communicate clearly — it’s just art, not design.

I’ve had clients where my personal taste had to take a backseat. Luxury real estate? Minimalist. Children’s clothing? Playful, bright. Financial services? Conservative, trustworthy tones. It’s not about me. It’s about what works.

Myth #5: “Graphic design is a solo job.”

Not even close.

Most of my projects involve a small army:

• Marketing teams

• Developers

• Copywriters

• Brand strategists

• Even legal (yes, fonts have licenses…)

I can’t count how many times I’ve sat in meetings bouncing ideas back and forth with a copywriter, trying to nail the perfect headline placement or image hierarchy. Collaboration is part of the gig.

Truth #1: Effective design follows principles like contrast, hierarchy, and balance.

This is the stuff every designer learns — and re-learns — daily:

• Contrast: Make key elements pop.

• Hierarchy: Guide the eye in the right order.

• Balance: Keep it visually stable and easy on the eyes.

These principles turn messy ideas into polished, effective designs that actually work in the real world.

Truth #2: Great design starts and ends with the audience.

Every time I begin a new brief, I ask:

Who’s looking at this? What do they care about?

The answer changes everything — font size, colour palette, even the type of imagery we use.

Design without an audience in mind? That’s just decoration. Real design speaks to people directly.

Key Takeaways (Quickfire)

• Creativity + strategy = great design.

• Expensive tools aren’t required. Skills are.

• Digital design dominates. Print’s not the main game anymore.

• Clients’ needs always outweigh personal artistic vision.

• Design’s a team sport.

• Follow the principles. They work.

• Audience first. Always.

Quick Reality Check

Graphic design isn’t about making pretty pictures. It’s about solving business problems visually. It’s strategic, collaborative, and evolving constantly.

And honestly? After two decades doing this, I’m still learning something new every week.

Got a design project you’re stuck on? Or just curious how to approach your next big idea? Shoot me a message — happy to chat it through.