John E. Warnock

The changing landscape of graphic arts

Graphic arts is all about communicating effectively with words, images, illustrations, animation and video. Its about packaging messages to communicate an idea, evoke an emotion or grab attention. Graphic arts designers are increasingly working across all media and pioneering new media expressions in the increasingly interactive world. Even though the past 15 years have seen a major change in the graphic arts, the future will see an even more dramatic and rapid shift to a new communication paradigm. This change is being driven by the evolving shift in the economics of communication, by the increasing flexibility and expressive power of the medium, and by the proliferation of electronic communication. With all of these forces currently driving the graphic arts community, one thing is certain: the graphics advances going forward are totally dependent on technological advances. Embracing rapid technological change is a requirement for survival and success. Graphic design, with the help of advancing technology, will continue to explore and invent the ultimate in man-machine interfaces. The style of communication will evolve and change, just as fashion evolves and changes. There is no right answer, but instead, a constantly changing flow of creativity and fresh ideas.

Font formats (panel session)

Issues involved in computer generated video animation will be addressed by the producers of the video and the clients who use the product. The producers of computer generated video include independent production houses and production departments within the television networks. The clients include advertising agencies and the news, sports and entertainment departments of the television networks themselves. Topics to be discussed include design control, equipment used and cost. Issues such as in-house production vs. contracted production and daily production schedules vs. longer term promotional projects will also be discussed.