Document Type
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Date of Award
Spring 4-15-2026
Abstract
Graphic design is an often-misunderstood field of work, generally understood through its outcomes, such as logos, posters, and digital interfaces. However, the extensive creative and strategic processes behind these projects remain largely unseen and unappreciated. While it is not a STEM or medical discipline, graphic design is still a rigorous field in its own right. However, people generally consider a degree in graphic design as easy or a waste of time because they view the arts as hobbies. The public only ever sees the finished visuals, not the labor, thinking, and countless hours of revision behind them. The growing wave of A.I. technologies and design platforms like Canva have contributed to this modern misconception as well. Now, everyone can simply type in a prompt or move some images around on a premade template and call themselves a designer. But there is so much more to being a graphic designer than just haphazardly combining some images together to look aesthetically appealing or trendy.
Advisor
Cathy Foster
Recommended Citation
Harris, Abby, "Behind the Scenes: An Examination of the Realities, Misconceptions, and Practices of Graphic Design" (2026). Honors Theses. 291.
https://lair.etamu.edu/honorstheses/291
