Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Graphic Designers

Graphic Designers Nature of Work

Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as web sites and CD-ROMs. They are almost solely self-employed.

Graphic Designers Work Conditions

Graphic designers may work as members of a design team in design studios or advertising agencies, or alone undertaking consultancy or freelance work.

Graphic Designers Personal Requirements

• able to work as part of a team
• able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• creative and imaginative
• good communication skills
• good marketing abilities
• sense of color and form

Graphic Designers Employment Requirements

• A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning is usually required or
• Completion of a college diploma in graphic arts
• Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.

Graphic Designers Duties and Tasks

Graphic designers may perform the following tasks:

• design and set up exhibitions for advertising or educational purposes
• give designs to clients for approval
• prepare comprehensive layouts of the design using techniques such as photography, illustration and computer-generated imagery
• prepare designs for print
• supervise all design production stages including arranging and supervising printing
• talk to clients to get a clear understanding of their visual communication requirements and develop sketches

Graphic Designers Example Titles

• Advertising Designers
• Cartoonists
• Commercial Artists
• Graphic Artists
• Illustrators
• Layout Designers
• Medical Illustrators
• Scientific Illustrators

Graphic Designers Related Occupations

• Advertising Account Executive
• Advertising managers
• Art Director (Advertising)
• Graphic Prepress Tradesperson
• Illustrator
• Designer
• Interior Designers
• Print Finishing Artist
• Printing Machinist
• Set Designer
• Signwriter
• Textile Designer

Graphic Designers Related Industries

• Advertising
• Printing
• Publishing