THE MASS MEDIA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

THE MASS MEDIA - Essay Example Creative enterprises, those engaged in the commercial exploitation of intellectual property-based goods and services imbued with symbolic meaning (i.e., books, film, music), contribute significantly to the economic, social and cultural development of nations. These enterprises form complex networks in content-driven sectors, which in turn make up the creative industries. Their unique characteristics (i.e., original symbolic products) drive and sustain diverse cultural and customary traditions, and enhance social values. At the same time, they generate wealth, increase employment opportunities, and promote trade. Yet, their true value and potential are often underestimated and insufficiently analyzed. Graphic design is a specific area of the creative industries. Graphic design can be defined as, "the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience. A graphic designer is responsible for arranging and using elements on different types of media (such as a poster, a package or a website), most likely with the use of a graphics software program such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign. These elements include photos, illustrations, type, shapes, color, and texture" (Miller, 2008, pg. 1). Examples of graphic design can be found all around the world. They are most often seen in the form of advertisements, billboards, books, brochures, business cards, greeting cards, logos, magazines, newspapers, packaging, posters, signs, websites, and much more (Miller, 2008). Trends and technological advancements in the creative industries, specifically the field of graphic design, have brought along both advantages and disadvantages. One of the biggest advantages to technological advancements in the field is the fact that graphical art can now be displayed on the Internet. This provides a means for it to be viewed-and purchased-all throughout the world. Artists can create online portfolios that can be seen by anyone with Internet access. Images can also be sent in a split second. Gone are the days when graphical art must be printed out and physically distributed in order to be seen. Trends and technological advances in the field also have their disadvantages. One of the biggest disadvantages is that, due to the fact that virtually anyone can view images that are placed on the Internet, there is the potential for those individuals to steal the work of an artist and claim it as their own or use it illegally. Furthermore, that scenario is really easy for a person to do. Anyone with basic computer skills can copy or download an image that has not had protection against such acts put into place by the creator or his or her representative. Thankfully, there are ways that individuals can protect their graphical art designs. People in the United States are protected by intellectual property rights. According to DT & G: People are often confused about Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights. This confusion may result in a failure to consider the importance of these tools in business development. Yet, these intellectual property rights become more and more important as businesses move into high technology areas. Intellectual proper