What is a Graphic Designer do

 

Are you constantly torn between the desire to create and your interest in new technologies? Are you more of the type to take on several projects at once to stay motivated? The profession of designer could well be for you!

First, here's a general description of the profession: A graphic designer uses their creativity, artistry, and technology knowledge to create text and images for a variety of clients, whether it's a simple logo or full brand identity.

In this article, we explain what the profession of graphic designer consists of, how one manages to train, as well as the working conditions and the responsibilities associated with it.

The tasks incumbent on the graphic designer

What exactly does the job of a graphic designer consist of? The daily tasks of a graphic designer can vary significantly from one designer to another, as most of them have quite a bit of control over the type of project they choose to do (one of the advantages of the profession!), and therefore the number of hours, the workload, and the responsibilities of each one varies enormously from one graphic designer to another.

Of course, some aspects of the profession are still common to everyone. Graphic designers create the visual identity of a brand, a message or any other communication. They help people and businesses get their message across in a memorable, effective and aesthetically pleasing way. They do this by working with their clients to help them translate their goals into graphic concepts, and turn those ideas into designs.

 Despite all the differences that exist between graphic designers, certain things are found in each of   them:

·         Meet and work with customers to understand their project needs and help them translate those ideas       into concepts.

·        Create advertising designs, annual reports, books and their covers, brochures, logos, magazine covers,   signs, stickers, T-shirts, websites and any other marketing and communication medium;

·         Review the client's specifications so that they are in line with their budget and objectives;

·     Create designs, illustrations or paintings by hand, or with the help of a computer, so as to obtain a   similar rendering;

·         Sell ​​an idea to update the client's project;

·         Review the design or the deliverables of the project to be in accordance with the specifications;

·         Learn to use new programs and software;

·        Work as part of a team to create a large-scale design campaign, or to complete a small part of a large     project, creating custom typography, for example.

·         Find other creative, such as photographers, writers, or illustrators to complete a given project.

There are many more examples, but we hope this list already gives you a good idea of ​​what the everyday life of a graphic designer looks like.

Work environment and salary

According to the United States Department of Labor, as of May 2016, 210,710 Americans were employed as graphic designers. This represented an increase of 0.9%. The hourly wages for these designers averaged about $ 25.14. Ten percent of the lowest-paid graphic designers earned $ 13.44 an hour, compared to $ 39.43 an hour for the top 10%. The average annual salary for a graphic designer was $ 52,290, with the lowest paid at $ 27,950 per year and the highest paid at $ 82,020 per year.

Looking at the distribution of graphic designers by sector, we can see something interesting: in 2016, 21.16% of graphic designers worked in specialized services, including design companies. Over 4% worked in each of the following sectors: advertising and public relations, prints and other related media, newspapers, magazines and publishing. Almost 3% work in other sectors, such as in a company's packaging departments, for example. About 0.5% worked in the computer, technology, and related services industry. Finally, less than 0.1% worked in sectors such as legal and other services.

All these figures added together make only 38%. But where are the others? Most of the other designers are self-employed. More and more industries are developing online and using freelancers for their graphic needs, and therefore more and more designers are working freelance. They find their clients themselves, organize their schedules and workload as they see fit. They sometimes work on several projects at the same time, or on the contrary, experience low periods.

Training and education          

Most graphic designers are trained in specialized schools. They are doing a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in design and graphics. There are a number of such schools, both public and private.

That said, if you already have a license in another field that has nothing to do with graphic design, you may not need to start from scratch to retrain. There are many courses you can take to acquire the skills necessary for the job. You can also look for training specific to the profession of graphic designer or do internships. Finally, you can also embark on freelance projects that you find and train yourself over time.

Some designers have learned everything on their own and never went through the “school” box. On the other hand, these rare designers are generally good at understanding specialized software and / or initially have a great creativity that is reflected in their work. They are also good at getting noticed with employers - something every designer should know how to do.

La National Association of Schools of Art and Designing the United States recognizes 300 institutions offering art and design courses, including several universities and private schools. Most of these programs teach the basics of design and commercial graphic production, mastery of specialized software, website design and various printing techniques. Although not compulsory, it is a good idea to take courses in marketing, writing, and business in general as well. If you take you a step further and reread a graphic designer's daily task list, you will find that you also need to know how to sell your own ideas, create quality marketing messages, communicate effectively, and if you are a freelance, simply run a business on your own.

One of the biggest advantages of these courses is that they give you a great opportunity to build a good portfolio. Just put together all the best work you did during your studies and during your internships. Remember that it is better to put less, but of good quality, than too much of poor quality. The portfolio of a graphic designer is often the determining element on which clients base themselves before hiring them, or not.

If you want to get started in design studies, take a look at the courses you can take in high school, to have some basics before entering a school. You will sometimes be asked to complete a year of upgrading or to present work already done as part of your application for a particular course.

Once you've finished your studies, though, don't think you're done! "Done" is not usually a word that we associate with graphic design ... Simply because graphic designers must constantly be aware of what is happening in their field, both from the point of view of trends and that of technological advances, whether through training or by themselves. There are also certifications you can pass to prove your skill level on a particular software. This will give you a little edge in the job market. You can also join an association or network of graphic design professionals, such as Graphic Artists Guild or AIGA.

The essential skills of the graphic designer

What to do after you've done all of this?

The typical skills of a graphic designer vary quite a bit depending on their area of ​​specialization. But all designers have strong skills in the following areas:

·         La 3D

·         History of art

·         Color theory

·         Visual communication

·         Design theory

·         Film / television

·         Fine arts

·         Graphic design

·         Illustrations

·         Photography

·         Printing techniques

·         The typography

·         Visual arts

Some positions are more focused on one area or another, but remember that the vast majority of designers have an overwhelming number of skills that go beyond these basic areas.

The rest of the story: behavioral and soft skills, and graphic design

Even the most talented, creative, and well-trained graphic designer isn't the most helpful when it comes to working on a really big project, if he doesn't have strong interpersonal skills, that is. - say the ability to work with other professionals. That's why employers first look closely at candidates' portfolios, training and experience, and then take the time to assess their relationship skills.

These types of skills are hard to measure, but they are very important. They show that you are able to interact with your work environment in a productive way. Indeed, most experts agree that industries that emphasize these skills will continue to employ people, where others will prefer artificial intelligence. Not bad is not it?

Good graphic designers have many if not all of these soft skills:

·         Excellent communication skills to interpret specifications, negotiate with clients and work as part of a team;

·         Creativity and artistic sense;

·         Analytical mind ;

·         Good time management;

·         Team player, ability to collaborate with others, and flexibility;

·         Passion and enthusiasm for design;

·         Self-confidence and good presentation, with the ability to defend one's ideas in front of colleagues and clients;

·          Willingness to do many things simultaneously;

·         Attention to detail and precision;

·         Open-mindedness and willingness to accept feedback in order to improve;

·     Good networking skills.

List all the soft skills you have, along with ways you could “prove” each one. Don't make the mistake of not preparing for your interviews!

Conclusion                                          

Are you ready to embark on a career that combines creativity and new technologies to create stunning designs every day of the year? It might sound like a bit of a stretch, but it really isn't! We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the work of a graphic designer and motivated you to pursue this path, because there are never enough good designs in this world!

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