Graphic Designer Career Description
Graphic design is that side of a marketing campaign that involves visual communication. It is the aesthetic ordering of type and image in order to interest, inform, persuade or sell.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Graphic designers develop individualistic and recognizable identities for products, services, organisations or ideas. They attempt to transmit specific messages by means of appropriate visual material. These messages may be aimed at projecting a certain image of an organisation, transmitting information or promoting a service or product.
Graphic designers are concerned with advertising, packaging, publishing, magazine layout, corporate identity etc. They are also involved in the production of film and television advertisements as well as the design of book covers, calendars, labels, wrappers, letterheads and trademarks.
The design of a corporate identity of an organisation is one of the many interesting facets of the work. This entails the creation of a "logo" which is a single visually dominating form, symbolizing the characteristics, nature or name of an organisation or business.
In order to produce a design that considers general attitude, choice and taste, graphic designers require a thorough knowledge of the market they serve. They must also know how to market goods, services and information and how to influence public opinion through their designs and illustrations. They continually have to adapt and modernize ideas in order to keep up with, or be ahead of trends.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Graphic designers must be multi-skilled in many technical disciplines, of which a strong drawing ability is probably the most important. They must be able to come up with and implement new ideas, be able to manage time responsibly and intelligently and be able to communicate ideas to employers and clients.
Where can I work?
Opportunities exist in advertising agencies, design studios, printing and publishing companies and the packaging industry. Lecturing posts in tertiary institutions is another option that may be considered.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Graphic designers can work independently as free-lance artists.
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