Years ago my college roommate returned from class alarmed. He told me I was waisting time studying design. His business professor told him the advancement of technology would someday eliminate the need for visual designers. Concerned for my future, he told me computers and software will soon be able to do everything visual designers do, so I should find something else to study. He did not flinch when I disagreed but trusted his professor's view.

So, in the past 15 years has this professor's prediction come true? Do we require less skilled visual designers today? The overwhelming answer is no. In fact, we require more. The tools and medium may change but we need designers more than ever. So why did this professor get it wrong? He did not know that visual design is communication. Whether it is to greet a loved one or sell something, people communicate. As long as people communicate there will be a need for human visual designers.

Right now I communicate through design with packaging. I help people understand a message about a product with words, type, images, color and space. And I'm happy I did not listen to my roommate's professor.