‘Graphic Design’ Versus ‘Visual Communication Design’!

I got this book called ‘Communication Design – Principles, Methods and practice’ by Jorge Frascara. This one particular topic that always interest me, moving from Graphic design to Communication design. I’m a graphic designer myself. I’m also a communication designer. These two term is common, but is the meaning and the role are the same? Recently the role of graphic designer have moved, or expend to broader areas. Graphic designer have looked into interior design, product, events etc. There are more and more collaborative work involve between graphic designer and client. Or sometimes even others from different disipline. This particular paragraph from Frascara explain more about what I wrote above.

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‘ It is necessary to recognize that the term ‘graphic design’ has contributed to the obscure profile of the profession. Although better than ‘graphic artist’ and far better than ‘artist’, the term still places too much emphasis on the graphic, physical elements and omits more essential aspects of the profession – the main aim of which is not the creation of graphic forms but the creation of effective communications. Although the most widely accepted term indeed ‘graphic designer’, it is more discriptive and appropriate to say ‘visual communication designer’, because this defination includes three ensential elements of the profession: a method (design), an objective (communication) and a medium (vision).’