3 answers
Shayliann Aubrey
Student
Waimea, HI
1
Question
Updated
3070 views
What do Graphic Designers do as a career?
I'm a freshman in high school. If I'm being honest, I'm just doing this for an assignment. But I am curious about this career since I'm a developing artist. I like doing more digital art though.
Is it a recommended career for artists? Digital artists? Or just anyone who have creative minds?
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3 answers
David Jameson
Web Design
3
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
Howdy! So I think I'd like to take a second to say that there is a bit of a distinction between art and design! "Design" technically actually solves problems. Now, you can do that with a visual solution, but more and more things that need to be "designed" aren't necessarily being hand-created by artists like they were in the past when graphic designers would paint the script onto signs and things like that. Nowadays, often times, a designer will hire an illustrator, photographer, or another specialist in an artistic pursuit to help with a specific element of a design, but you don't really have to be able to draw or do digital painting (doesn't hurt though!) to be a 'graphic designer', per se.
But to answer your question, I studied graphic design and I now do more Web and UX design. Which is actually less of the drawing and painting and more thinking about how a system like a website will function, which will eventually have visual elements that will need to be created and look good, but a lot of the thinking isn't really 'artistic', more problem solving.
Anyway, the answer to your question is going to vary a lot between people who have the different specialties I mentioned, and many more I didn't!
But to answer your question, I studied graphic design and I now do more Web and UX design. Which is actually less of the drawing and painting and more thinking about how a system like a website will function, which will eventually have visual elements that will need to be created and look good, but a lot of the thinking isn't really 'artistic', more problem solving.
Anyway, the answer to your question is going to vary a lot between people who have the different specialties I mentioned, and many more I didn't!
Fabian West
graphic designer
1
Answer
Asheville, North Carolina
Updated
Fabian’s Answer
My journey to becoming a graphic artist began in my junior year of high school. I was passionate about art and wanted a career that would allow my creativity to flourish, but also provide me with a stable income. That was 57 years ago, and now at 72, I can confidently say it was the ideal choice for me. My expertise lies in magazine art direction and design, and I've had the privilege of working on publications across California, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, and even London.
What I enjoyed most about publications was the opportunity to share information with an engaged audience, rather than using my art to sell products through advertising. I thrived on the collaboration that came with working in a team and appreciated the consistency of regular deadlines. My portfolio is diverse, ranging from book design, digital communications, marketing materials, logos, business identities, to posters, CD covers, and so much more. It's always been an exciting and stimulating journey.
Over the years, I've witnessed numerous changes in the industry, which have prompted me to constantly broaden my skill set. Each day presents a new learning opportunity! Just today, for instance, I learned how to change the lead image in a Live iPhoto for an ad I was working on!
Perhaps my story resonates with you and you're considering if graphic design could be your calling too. The beauty of this field is the myriad ways you can apply your skills and continue to grow and learn. This is something you'll uncover as you journey through. If you have a penchant for creating digital artwork, there's a wealth of opportunities in doing illustrations for print and web.
Google "Illustrators for hire." There are sites where you can post a portfolio to advertise your skills, and see what others are doing.
Google "Companies that hire illustrators." for an idea of where you might find work.
from ziprecruiter.com: How to Become an Illustrator: A Step-by-Step Guide | 1. Pursue Your Education. There is a lot of hands-on training involved in a fine arts degree, including drawing, painting, and computer graphics. 2. Focus on One Specific Niche. 3. Hone Your Skills and Utilize Illustration Tools. 4. Build a Strong Portfolio.
What I enjoyed most about publications was the opportunity to share information with an engaged audience, rather than using my art to sell products through advertising. I thrived on the collaboration that came with working in a team and appreciated the consistency of regular deadlines. My portfolio is diverse, ranging from book design, digital communications, marketing materials, logos, business identities, to posters, CD covers, and so much more. It's always been an exciting and stimulating journey.
Over the years, I've witnessed numerous changes in the industry, which have prompted me to constantly broaden my skill set. Each day presents a new learning opportunity! Just today, for instance, I learned how to change the lead image in a Live iPhoto for an ad I was working on!
Perhaps my story resonates with you and you're considering if graphic design could be your calling too. The beauty of this field is the myriad ways you can apply your skills and continue to grow and learn. This is something you'll uncover as you journey through. If you have a penchant for creating digital artwork, there's a wealth of opportunities in doing illustrations for print and web.
Fabian recommends the following next steps:
Debbie Morton
Business Consulting
68
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Debbie’s Answer
Hi Shayliann, Great Question!
Duties
Graphic designers typically do the following:
Meet with clients or the art director to determine the scope of a project
Use digital illustration, photo editing software, and layout software to create designs
Create visual elements such as logos, original images, and illustrations to help deliver a message
Design layouts, including selection of colors, images, and typefaces
Present design concepts to clients or art directors
Incorporate changes recommended by clients or art directors into final designs
Review designs for errors before printing or publishing them
Graphic designers, also referred to as graphic artists or communication designers, combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of websites and printed pages. They may use a variety of design elements to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Graphic designers work with both text and images. They often select the type, font, size, color, and line length of headlines, headings, and text. Graphic designers also decide how images and text will go together in print or on a webpage, including how much space each will have. When using text in layouts, graphic designers collaborate with writers, who choose the words and decide whether the words will be put into paragraphs, lists, or tables. Through the use of images, text, and color, graphic designers may transform data into visual graphics and diagrams to make complex ideas more accessible.
Graphic design is important to market and sell products, and it is a critical component of brochures and logos. Therefore, graphic designers often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing.
Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client. For example, some designers create the graphics used on product packaging, and others may work on the visual designs used on book jackets.
Graphic designers need to keep up to date with software and computer technologies in order to remain competitive.
Some individuals with a background in graphic design become postsecondary teachers and teach in design schools, colleges, and universities.
Some graphic designers specialize in experiential graphic design. These designers work with architects, industrial designers, landscape architects, and interior designers to create interactive design environments, such as museum exhibitions, public arts exhibits, and retail spaces.
Duties
Graphic designers typically do the following:
Meet with clients or the art director to determine the scope of a project
Use digital illustration, photo editing software, and layout software to create designs
Create visual elements such as logos, original images, and illustrations to help deliver a message
Design layouts, including selection of colors, images, and typefaces
Present design concepts to clients or art directors
Incorporate changes recommended by clients or art directors into final designs
Review designs for errors before printing or publishing them
Graphic designers, also referred to as graphic artists or communication designers, combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of websites and printed pages. They may use a variety of design elements to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Graphic designers work with both text and images. They often select the type, font, size, color, and line length of headlines, headings, and text. Graphic designers also decide how images and text will go together in print or on a webpage, including how much space each will have. When using text in layouts, graphic designers collaborate with writers, who choose the words and decide whether the words will be put into paragraphs, lists, or tables. Through the use of images, text, and color, graphic designers may transform data into visual graphics and diagrams to make complex ideas more accessible.
Graphic design is important to market and sell products, and it is a critical component of brochures and logos. Therefore, graphic designers often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing.
Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client. For example, some designers create the graphics used on product packaging, and others may work on the visual designs used on book jackets.
Graphic designers need to keep up to date with software and computer technologies in order to remain competitive.
Some individuals with a background in graphic design become postsecondary teachers and teach in design schools, colleges, and universities.
Some graphic designers specialize in experiential graphic design. These designers work with architects, industrial designers, landscape architects, and interior designers to create interactive design environments, such as museum exhibitions, public arts exhibits, and retail spaces.
Thank you for answering and giving me an idea of what a graphic designer is. This actually really helped me understand more about this specific career. I'm grateful for this since you took time out of your day to answer my question.
Shayliann Aubrey