Graphic Designers Job Description

The Graphic Designer is the one who plans, analyzes and creates visual solutions to communication problems.

Primary Responsibilities:

• The Graphic Designer must create visual solutions in effective ways in print, electronic and film media.
• The Graphic Designer is the one who develops the overall layout and production designs.
• The Graphic Designer needs to be capable to determine what the customer needs in graphic designing.

Graphic Designers use a specialized computer software package to help them create layouts and design elements and to program animated graphics. Sometimes it is necessary to supervise a staff of Graphic Designers that are working on the same project. Many Graphic Designers prefer to own their own business leaving them free to work for a multitude of businesses instead of being devoted to just one company. The Graphic Designer who does own their own business must be able to develop contact their own leads in order to get clients. Many times the Graphic Designer will need to supervise a team of designers in order to be doing multiple projects.

The Graphic Designer prepares sketches or layouts by hand or with the aid of a computer to help illustrate their vision for the design a client maybe seeking. The Graphic Designer must be very artistic and capable of good color coordination. They select colors, sound, artwork, photography, animation, style of type and other visual elements for the design. Graphic Designers select the size and arrangement of the different elements on the page or screen. The Graphic Designer might be told to make graphs and charts to go along with the project to help illustrate relevant facts about the project.

Many Graphic Designers have their own technique when it comes to making designs just like artists from the past and like to show their trademark so that others will know their work. Many Graphic Designers use specialized computer software packages to help them create layouts but often they may have created the computer software package themselves to comply with the type of work that they do.

The Graphic Designer must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design in order to obtain the job. It is very important that a Graphic Designer have creativity, communication and problem solving skills in order to perform graphic design projects. A Graphic Designer must be familiar with computer graphics and designs in order to create basic projects. It is a plus if they are capable enough to create their own software package. A Bachelor’s degree in fine arts or graphic design is offered at many colleges and universities. There are private design schools for those who are interested in being in charge of their department or operate their own business. Most universities offer a curriculum in studio art, principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and Web site design. You will need liberal arts courses such as:

• Art History
• Writing
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Foreign languages
• Cultural Studies
• Marketing
• Business

These are very important courses that you will need in order to be a successful Graphic Designer. There are other qualifications required in order to become a Graphic Designer. You must be creative, possess good communication skills, and have problem solving skills. You are required to have an eye for detail be able to communicate their ideas visually, verbally, and in writing. In order to show your employer your capabilities you should put together a portfolio of your work. This will enable to help you succeed in obtaining a good position with a company or help you to get clients for your own business.

Most beginning Graphic Designers receive on-the-job training for about three years before they can advance to higher positions. When a Graphic Designer has experience he is able to advance to such positions as Chief Designer, Art or Creative Director or other supervisory positions in the field. Some Graphic Designers decide to leave the field and become teachers in design schools or in colleges and universities. Many of these instructors still continue to consult privately or open up their own design studios. Most Graphic Designers like to specialize in one area of graphic design. The field is ever growing with the need for Graphic Designers.

Degrees and Training to Become a Graphic Designer

• Media Arts Degree

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