As a graphic design major at Andrews University, I realize that design is way more than just making something look “aesthetic.” It’s communication, emotion and storytelling all rolled into one. Every font, every color and every little choice can shape how people see the world. And in a time when we’re flooded with information and have short attention spans, design helps people stop, feel and understand. Honestly, we’re basically storytellers with Adobe subscriptions who speak in Pantone swatches.
Design is everywhere, from the posters that raise awareness about mental health to the campaigns that push for recycling or equality. It gives shape and a voice to ideas that matter. When done right, design helps people connect to something bigger than themselves. It has this amazing way of teaching and inspiring people all at once. That’s honestly what I love the most: It lets me be creative but still do something that matters.
I’ve had little moments that remind me why I chose this path. When a class project made someone smile, or when a design critique turned into a real conversation about emotions and meaning. Those small moments mean more to me than any grade ever could. They’re proof that design, at its best, isn't just about visuals, it's about connection. It's about reaching someone, even for a second, and reminding them they are seen, understood or inspired. Growing up with a father who’s a multimedia artist only deepened that belief. Watching his work touching people across the world showed me that real creativity comes from the heart, not hardware. AI can mimic design, but it can’t feel the story behind it, and that's what makes art human.
As a designer, I get to take the ideas in my head and my clients and turn them into visuals that reach people. This is a needed skill as society needs someone who can assist people in getting their message across in a multimedia world where words can be ignored or lost. However, a powerful image can replace a thousand words.
Now, I won’t lie—design comes with its struggles. People sometimes think it’s an “easy” major or that it’s just about making things look cute. It’s not; it's so much more than that. There’s research, psychology, business marketing, and strategy behind every design decision. And with AI tools like Canva or image generators popping up, some people even question if designers are still needed. Canva had some folks out here thinking they earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts in 10 minutes.
But here’s the truth: Anyone can make something pretty, but not everyone can make something meaningful. A template doesn't know what a community is feeling. AI can’t truly understand culture, loss or emotion like we do. Design is more than just visuals; it’s about connection.
Let’s be real, AI is powerful. Sure, AI can whip up a logo or poster in seconds, but I don't see it as competition. To me, AI is a tool that is an extra set of hands to help us complete the tedious and repetitive aspects of our work faster, so we can spend more time focusing on the creative process of bringing the story and emotion behind the design to life.
AI doesn’t have a heart, and that’s the one thing that keeps design human. It doesn’t know how to design for a grieving community or how to make a child feel seen in a toy box design. It can’t tell the story behind a culture or a movement. That’s where I step in, combining empathy, imagination and human touch that no software could ever replicate.
Being a graphic designer means having a real impact on how people see and feel things. It’s not just a job or an assignment, it's a responsibility. We make ideas clearer, stories louder and give voices to brands and causes that matter.
Even though AI keeps developing and changing, design will always need a human flair. The field will keep evolving, but will never disappear. Design is part of how people connect to the world, from the products they buy to the messages they believe in.
At the end of the day, I don’t see AI taking over design; I see it as a powerful tool that will change the way we work. It’s still up to us to guide it and use it with intention. Because design without a heart is just decoration. Being a graphic designer isn’t just a job; it’s storytelling, emotion and purpose woven together to create change. That kind of heart can’t be coded or replaced by any machine.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.