Graphic designers, also often referred to as a graphic artists, work to visually convey a particular idea or message that has noticeable appeal. The profession is highly sought out for promoting and displaying a wide variety of products, activities, ideas, and communications.
Graphic design is used every single day in the world of advertising, including everything from books to magazines, health and personal care, food products, clothing, automotive industry, computers, and just about everything else you could think of. Product packaging is a huge part of any type of business and requires the expertise of a graphic designer who understands not only the general marketing aspect of business, but also the client's main objective.
What They Do
Graphic designers work closely alongside the client, a graphic designer begins expanding upon an initial concept, asks pertinent questions as to the end goal, discusses budgets and deadlines, then agrees on the finalized design, fee and due date. Many designers successfully juggle more than one project at a time, allocating a certain portion of their time to each. Some duties of a graphic designer may include:
- Designing a product from rough drafts, sketches and vague ideas while still knowing how to reach just the right audience.
- Meeting and/or communicating regularly with clients to discuss the aspects and goals of a project.
- Demonstrating excellent skills while also showing high attention to quality and detail.
- Effectively managing time in order to meet deadlines while staying within budget constraints.
- Stay updated with the latest technologies in terms of computerized media and common design programs such as Flash, Photoshop, and CorelDRAW.
- Working with other professionals in the industry such as copywriters, photographers, marketing specialists, web developers and media distributors.
Graphic designers may work for themselves on as freelancers or may be employed full-time by someone else, whether it be a small organization or a large corporation and company. If self-employed, a graphic designer must work diligently to market themselves and dedicate his/her time in order to build their portfolio and client base as well as making continued learning a large part of their career. When working for a design firm or similar entity, the opportunity for advancement is definitely opened in this ever changing field. Within just a few years, a designer may progress to be a senior designer, obtaining a management position such as Creative Director, or even venture out on their own or create a partnership with another designers.
While the views of art is more open to personal interpretation and considered to be a subjective matter, graphic design is instead used to serve a distinct purpose, whether it's selling a product or promoting a person, place, or thing, or whatever the case may be. Good graphic design begins with a good graphic designer as well as a clear picture of the goal or message that's meant to be conveyed. A designer must know how to do a number of different things in order to create a final product that gets results including being skilled in typography, page layout and chromatics. Graphic designers must not only be artists, but also professional individuals who pay great attention to detail while understanding what their client is trying to achieve. Any effective graphic design is created by first considering the target audience. Will the imagery used appeal to the specific group or groups of people you're trying to reach? And, equally as important, is the message that is being conveyed clear and easy to understand? Designers should have the ability to imagine themselves as an average member of the target market. Does the design inspire? Motivate? Grab attention? Easy to see and read? Does it follow with the client's existing branding or image? An experienced graphic designer with good knowledge has the ability to take a general idea and turn it into a visually compelling product that garners not only attention but favourable results as well. Somehow they instinctively know when to use clean lines and muted tones and when to instead use vibrant designs with bold hues that grab attention. When photography is a part of the equation, good graphic designer includes images that are crystal clear and free from any pixelisation or unintentional blurred edging. Pictures should be original and unique, and ideas should be presented in a professional manner relevant to the product's main message or purpose. The colours used in photos should complement the rest of the project's image, tying into the overall design while perhaps using a contrasting hue for prominence. Color is absolutely imperative to any type of design, especially so in the realm of graphic design where logos and product branding are at the forefront of competitive industries. Perhaps one of the very best aspects regarding the use of color in graphic design is that it can be used to suggest and inspire a great number of feelings and emotions. Colors have an intensely powerful effect on the human mind, either alone or in any one of the endless combinations possible. Good graphic designer knows how to manage the combination of colors to express their designs purpose to his/her client. In the entertainment industry, graphic designer is an integral part of not only the creating the scenery and visual effects, but also in contributing to the storytelling aspect of the piece. Good graphic designer can become invaluable when it comes to promoting a new product, film or television programme using posters, banners, flyers, billboards, direct mail, TV and radio spots, t-shirts, toys, or other promotional means. And finally, good graphic designer can create design that can speak volumes, visually telling an entire story without ever actually "saying" a single word. Whether it's for optimizing sales, increasing brand or company awareness or introducing a new product, effective graphic design is something that is continually in great demand. And an effective design comes from a talented graphic designer.