So you think you want to get a Graphic Design job? Have you already been to school, or been employed as a Graphic Designer and you are looking to further your prospects, or you are just getting your toes wet and thinking about going to a graphic design school. Well if you have never been explored this world before, there are a few things you may need to think about…
Graphic design refers to a number of different artistic talents which mainly focus on visual communication and presentation. Combining symbols, images and/or words in order to create visual representations of ideas and messages.
Graphic design uses come in all different shapes and forms. Web pages, business cards, magazines, product packaging, logos, and advertisements are all put together by graphic design. The list goes on and on and is practically endless.
What kind of graphic design job are you interested in? Do you actually want to work for someone else, or would you rather freelance? The parameters of being in graphic design are not just cut and dry, there are several career opportunities to choose from.
Art Director – usually makes decisions on the visual elements of a project, selects the models, art, pops, colors, and other elements. Make sure production artists and illustrators complete their work on time and to specifications and satisfaction. A lot of time is typically spent doing supervisory and /or administrative work.
Creative Director – is in charge of the team that produces the artwork to be displayed on products or in different campaigns. The team consists of the artists: the art directors, graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, copywriters, and production artists, and also usually a production staff. They help to inspire or initiate creative ideas to fit the clients’ wants and satisfaction. Usually is promoted from the art director or copywriter position.
Art Production Manager – oversees the production aspect of art to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness. They generally supervise the artists or advise the supervisors of the artists.
Layout Designer – deals with the structure and the layout of images and text in a pleasing format for printed media. Work generally includes layout of brochures, magazine work, flyers, books, CD covers, posters and similar projects.
Brand Identity Design – is concerned with the visual aspects of a company or organizations brand or identity. Designing the visual element that represents how a company wants to be seen, it is the companies visual identity, and is how a company illustrates its ‘image’.
Logo Designer – using their own creativity along with marketing strategy will find an appropriate image that their client can use to represent what they are trying to encourage, sell or what they are. Sketches or graphically designs a symbol, set in specific typeface or font, and arranges in a unique way, with distinct colors, shapes, and designs to represent what a company,organization, agency, or service wants.
Illustrator – conceptualize and create illustrations in either two dimensional or three dimensional images. An illustrator consults with the clients in order to determine what illustrations will best meet the story that they are trying to tell. Or what message they are trying to communicate.
Visual Image Developer/ Photo Editing/ Photographer – editing and bringing their visions to life through advertisements, magazine layouts, billboard, logos, and just about any thing else you can think of that uses photography. Although these skills may require technical knowledge, graphic design skills may be applied as well. Most photographers tend to freelance.
Multimedia Designer – are graphic designers for motion. They also may image edit, sound edit, program, or compose multimedia. Generally found in such career fields as television or film production, animation, audio production, and set design.
Web Designer – may make decisions regarding what content is included on a web page, where thins are placed, and how the aesthetic and continuity is maintained from one screen to the next. Your work could be viewed by thousands of people everyday, as you create the pages, layout, and the graphics for web pages and play a key role in the development of a website. All of this involves skills and training in computer graphics, graphic design, and in the latest in computer and web technology.
All of these descriptions are really just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many different jobs available in the graphic design field. Extend your feelers out there and see what you might be able to come up with.
Long Beach Graphic Designer
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