The best reaction to graphic design is “I see what you’re saying,” and not “I see how cleverly you said it.” Good design isn’t the subject. It’s a vehicle. Just like you, graphic design needs to work hard for a living. Its task is to clear a path for communication while flying under the radar. Dotted lines, little squigglies and “this year’s colors” might be all the rage, but they don’t deserve the space they occupy unless they do their part to help articulate the message.