Understanding of 'Theory'

In order to try and understand my given question further it may be useful to put it into the context of my own working practice: graphic design.

How could the theory of graphic design inform my working practices, how can theories inform my work as a graphic designer?

Reading into graphic design theories and trying to discover the theory of graphic design has led me to think more about what theory is, different interpretations of theory, and how could understanding a theory inform me further.

INTERPRETING THEORY
So a theory is a method we use to give us understanding, a set of principles and ideas to explain something, an idea used to justify why we do something or a course of action.

Theories exist to help us understand the world around us, why things are the way they are. It is important to ask ‘why?’ to expand your knowledge of a subject and inform your practice. When we are children ‘why?’ is one of the first questions we ask, ‘Why is the sky blue?’ ‘Why do I have to go to school?’.

A theory is an attempt to explain why and so to provide understanding.

A theory is not just ‘any’ explanation - a theory comes into being when a series of ideas come to be held and accepted by a wider community of people.

A theory is not necessarily factually based – how we understand and provide explanations arises from our cultural background and how we view the world.

In John Bowers’ book Introduction to Graphic Design Methodologies and Processes, he explains theory as referring to groupings of ideas that seek to explain a phenomenon, guide investigation, or form interpretation.

He goes on to say:

‘Theory serves as a guide to searching, planning, explaining, interpreting, and understanding. It is the basis of any systematic investigation. Theory can help clarify problems and ideas, aid in the interpretation of data and experiences, and suggest methods by which a problem can be solved.

Through application theories are proven usable or unusable, true or false, repeatable or not repeatable. Qualitative investigations, common in graphic design, generally develop theories as they proceed. These investigations can also be rooted in a theory that spans many disciplines, such as semiotic theory.’




In conclusion I find myself asking questions such as, are there a basic group of ideas or principles to interpret and explain what graphic design is? What can I draw from my own graphic design experience to come up with/develop a theory of graphic design? What theories, ideas and methods do I carry out to justify my working practices?



REFERENCES

• Bowers, J. (2011). Introduction to graphic design methodologies and processes: Understanding theory and application. Hoboken: Wiley.
• 2011-2019, (. C. (n.d.). What is Theory? Retrieved from https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/theory.html