Popular mediums like posters, billboards, and flyers are still widely used to advertise, inform, and showcase beautiful and important designs. Printed and designed diagrams and wayfinding systems, while often overlooked, are very important outlets for organizations. Packaging and labeling are the most competitive means of marketing products on any store shelf. Personally, I admit to purchasing items like toothbrushes and wine based solely on the package. A stationary package is still the best way to legitimize any company. Online business cards exist but are they all that effective?
While the web and other screen-based media has its inherent benefits, printed pieces still, and will continue to offer benefits that effectively expose screen-based design. Print allows designers to assimilate information almost anywhere whereas the web relies on an available screen. This screen, while widely used and increasingly easier to use, is also limited by size and resolution amongst other things.
For effective design communications, print and screen-based design must serve as complementary elements not competing ones.
