Graphic designer: Job description and requirements

Basma · 31st December 2007

Job description

A graphic designer produces visual solutions to communicate messages for their clients. Most work is two-dimensional and used within a range of media, including advertising campaigns, book covers, magazines, posters, corporate communications and websites. Some designers work on three-dimensional designs, such as product packaging, exhibitions and displays.

Working to a brief agreed with the client or account manager, a graphic designer will develop creative ideas and concepts, choosing the appropriate media and style to meet the objectives of the client.

The work demands creative flair, up-to-date knowledge of industry software and a professional approach to time, costs and deadlines.

Basma · 31st December 2007

Typical work activities

The role may involve managing more than one design brief at a time, allocating the relevant amount of time according to the value of the job. Typical work activities include:

• meeting clients or account managers to discuss the business objectives and requirements of the job;
• interpreting the client's business needs and developing a concept to suit their purpose;
• estimating time taken to complete work and providing quotes for clients;
• developing design briefs by gathering information and data through research;
• thinking creatively to produce new ideas and concepts;
• using innovation to redefine a design brief within the constraints of cost and time;
• presenting finalized ideas and concepts to clients or account managers;
• working with a wide range of media, including photography and computer-aided design (CAD);
• proofreading to produce accurate and high-quality work;
• contributing ideas and design artwork to the overall brief;
• keeping abreast of developments in IT, particularly design programs such as Quark Xpress, FreeHand, Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D Studio, Acrobat, Director, Dreamweaver and Flash;
• working as part of a team with printers, copywriters, photographers, other designers, account executives, web developers and marketing specialists.

Designers often have to be proactive in presenting or 'pitching' their ideas and designs to prospective customers, whether self-employed, working freelance or employed within a business.

Basma · 31st December 2007

Entry requirements

Any design-based course will give you a good grounding and knowledge of design/art history, printing techniques, etc.

Entry without a degree is sometimes possible, as job offers are based on the standard of portfolio work and not educational qualification.

Pre-entry experience is desirable and work or placement experience is extremely useful, especially if you have a reference to support it. Gaining experience of a live project during your work experience will be the most valuable.

Potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• accuracy, attention to detail and analytical skills;
• enthusiasm;
• self-discipline;
• flexibility;
• patience;
• excellent communication skills to interpret and negotiate a brief with a client;
• good presentation skills and the confidence to explain and sell ideas to clients and colleagues;
• time-management and the ability to multi-task;
• the ability to work as a member of a team in a competitive culture.

You will need to have a clear strategy in your job-search and a highly professional approach. You should have a business card, a CV detailing your skills, experience and interests, and a structured portfolio of work relevant to the job/employer, which takes into account their products. It is important that your CV demonstrates your artistic flair; many designers now develop their CV as a website. It is advisable to leave your best work at the back of the portfolio, as it is invariably these pages that are left open during an interview.

GradSolutions · 11th April 2011

Great job. This is very helpful information for me. Pre-entry experience is desirable and work or placement experience is extremely useful, especially if you have a reference to support it. Gaining experience of a live project during your work experience will be the most valuable. I appreciate your work. Thank you giving this wonderful information

hamburg113 · 5th October 2011

Hi,

Thanks very much for this comment. It help me to think about my ideals.

Tks again and pls keep posting.

If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Best regards.

31st December 2007	#1 (permalink)
Basma Administrator Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 89	Graphic designer: Job description and requirements Job description A graphic designer produces visual solutions to communicate messages for their clients. Most work is two-dimensional and used within a range of media, including advertising campaigns, book covers, magazines, posters, corporate communications and websites. Some designers work on three-dimensional designs, such as product packaging, exhibitions and displays. Working to a brief agreed with the client or account manager, a graphic designer will develop creative ideas and concepts, choosing the appropriate media and style to meet the objectives of the client. The work demands creative flair, up-to-date knowledge of industry software and a professional approach to time, costs and deadlines.

31st December 2007	#2 (permalink)
Basma Administrator Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 89	cont. Graphic designer: Job description and requirements Typical work activities The role may involve managing more than one design brief at a time, allocating the relevant amount of time according to the value of the job. Typical work activities include: • meeting clients or account managers to discuss the business objectives and requirements of the job; • interpreting the client's business needs and developing a concept to suit their purpose; • estimating time taken to complete work and providing quotes for clients; • developing design briefs by gathering information and data through research; • thinking creatively to produce new ideas and concepts; • using innovation to redefine a design brief within the constraints of cost and time; • presenting finalized ideas and concepts to clients or account managers; • working with a wide range of media, including photography and computer-aided design (CAD); • proofreading to produce accurate and high-quality work; • contributing ideas and design artwork to the overall brief; • keeping abreast of developments in IT, particularly design programs such as Quark Xpress, FreeHand, Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D Studio, Acrobat, Director, Dreamweaver and Flash; • working as part of a team with printers, copywriters, photographers, other designers, account executives, web developers and marketing specialists. Designers often have to be proactive in presenting or 'pitching' their ideas and designs to prospective customers, whether self-employed, working freelance or employed within a business. Last edited by Basma : 31st December 2007 at 23:55. Reason: cont. Graphic designer: Job description and requirements

31st December 2007	#3 (permalink)
Basma Administrator Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 89	cont. Graphic designer: Job description and requirements Entry requirements Any design-based course will give you a good grounding and knowledge of design/art history, printing techniques, etc. Entry without a degree is sometimes possible, as job offers are based on the standard of portfolio work and not educational qualification. Pre-entry experience is desirable and work or placement experience is extremely useful, especially if you have a reference to support it. Gaining experience of a live project during your work experience will be the most valuable. Potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following: • accuracy, attention to detail and analytical skills; • enthusiasm; • self-discipline; • flexibility; • patience; • excellent communication skills to interpret and negotiate a brief with a client; • good presentation skills and the confidence to explain and sell ideas to clients and colleagues; • time-management and the ability to multi-task; • the ability to work as a member of a team in a competitive culture. You will need to have a clear strategy in your job-search and a highly professional approach. You should have a business card, a CV detailing your skills, experience and interests, and a structured portfolio of work relevant to the job/employer, which takes into account their products. It is important that your CV demonstrates your artistic flair; many designers now develop their CV as a website. It is advisable to leave your best work at the back of the portfolio, as it is invariably these pages that are left open during an interview.

5th October 2011	#5 (permalink)
hamburg113 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1	Hi, Thanks very much for this comment. It help me to think about my ideals. Tks again and pls keep posting. If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Best regards. Last edited by hamburg113 : 13th October 2011 at 02:08.

11th April 2011	#4 (permalink)
GradSolutions Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 39	Great job. This is very helpful information for me. Pre-entry experience is desirable and work or placement experience is extremely useful, especially if you have a reference to support it. Gaining experience of a live project during your work experience will be the most valuable. I appreciate your work. Thank you giving this wonderful information