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Job Description
Graphic designers/artists design graphics for use in media products such as magazines, labels, advertising, and signage. Typical activities include:
- Liaising with clients to determine their requirements and budget
- Managing client proposals from typesetting through to design, print, and production
- Working with clients, briefing and advising them with regard to design style, format, print production, and timescales
- Developing concepts, graphics, and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and websites
- Determining size and arrangement of copy and illustrative material, as well as font style and size
- Preparing rough drafts of material based on an agreed brief
- Reviewing final layouts and suggesting improvements if required
- Liaising with external printers on a regular basis to ensure deadlines are met and material is printed to the highest quality.
- Graphic designers work mainly nine-to-five, but deadlines may require working additional hours.
- Career development will more than likely require frequent job movement to widen your experience and develop your portfolio. ADVERTISE HERE
- Typical employers of graphic designers
Job Requirements
- While entry is open to non-graduates, preference is given to those with relevant degrees. A degree in graphic design is advantageous, although other art and design subjects will be accepted. A range of relevant postgraduate programs is also available in many higher education institutions.
- You will need work experience and a portfolio of work to show employers.
- This can be obtained through internships and holiday work.
- Employers also expect a good knowledge of design software, such as Quark Xpress, InDesign or Illustrator, plus photo-editing software such as PhotoShop.
- Vacancies for graphic designers attract strong competition so speculative applications are advisable.
- To find out how to get into a career in this area via a school leaver route, visit the media section of TARGETcareers, our website aimed at school leavers.
Key skills for graphic designers
- Excellent IT skills, especially with design and photo-editing software
- Exceptional creativity and innovation
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- An understanding of the latest trends and their role within a commercial environment
- Professional approach to time, costs and deadline
