What Is A Graphic Designer?
Graphic design is one area that has become very popular and most professionals who work in this area attract very handsome pay packets.However, before we go into the details of a graphic designer job description, it is worthwhile to know the meaning of graphic design.
Graphic design is a profession or an art where people communicate visually using images, which are made up of elements such as illustrations, typefaces, shapes, photos, colors, textures and texts.
These elements pass very highly impacting visual messages to a given audience.
Normally, the graphics have to be outstanding so that they can attract the attention of the audience, otherwise the message will not be conveyed perfectly.
What Do They Do?
As part of their job description, designers are expected to use graphics programs such as Photoshop, Adobe illustrator, InDesign, Quark Xpress and many others to rearrange the different elements of the graphics mentioned above.These graphics will then be placed in different media for people to read them. Some of the media where graphics are placed include the following:
- Magazines and books
- Websites and blogs
- Computer games
- Branding materials and logos
- Advertising
- Exhibition displays and many others.
Typical process of a Designing Project
To get a clearer picture of what graphic design entails, you need to look at some of the main tasks that graphic designers need to accomplish in the course of doing their work. Some of these tasks include the following:- Assessing graphic design projects and finding out the resources that will be required to complete them.
- Coming up with an estimate of the designing cost for the project. Putting together design ideas and sharing them with clients.
- Coming up with different design options and presenting them to clients to choose from.
- While working within the agreed timelines and budget, the designer is expected to make the final design.
- Making amendments, if any, as per the requirement of clients on the final design.
- Carefully checking the final design before it is sent to printers or clients.
In most instances, graphic design projects might require graphic designers to work with other professionals and technicians such as programmers, developers, copywriters, photographers and sales persons to successfully implement the required concept.
Academic Qualification
Although there are many great graphic designers who have been very successful without relevant skills, graphic design, like any other profession require people to have relevant qualifications.At entry-levels, graphic designers need to have ‘A’ or ‘O’ level qualification in the Art and Design fields as the minimum requirements.
However, such entrants will be required to pursue further studies to really make an impact in their career.
Generally, graphic designers need to have a diploma which could be a national diploma or a national degree, postgraduate qualification or something higher. In addition, they need to show high proficiency in using some of the common design programs.
Skills and Personality Requirements
By now, you must have realized from this graphic designer job description that it a career worth pursuing.But even if you have all the academic qualifications listed above, it does not mean that you can do it. There are some skills and qualities, which you need to posses to be a successful graphic designer. Some of the most important ones are as follows:
- You must be creative, original and have a strong sense of visual judgment i.e. be artistic
- You need excellent computer skills
- You should be confident while articulating your ideas to clients and colleagues
- Be interested in typography and graphics
- Have good organization and problem solving skills
- Strong ability to visualize customer’s ideas
- Have an eye for details
- Be aware of the competition that exists in business environments you are working in
How Much Do Graphic Designers Earn?
Graphic design is a competitive profession and it attracts very good salaries. On an average, a graphic designer who works for around 35–40 hours a week will earn a salary ranging from $18,000 – $95,000 per annum.A Graphic Designer Salary range depends on where someone is working, the experience he has and how quickly he can complete a given project. A typical range of salaries is as specified below:
- A Junior designer might earn around $18000 per annum at the entry level
- An experienced designer is likely to earn around $45,000 per annum
- Senior graphic designers will earn close to or in excess of 95,000 per annum
However, some independent and freelance graphic designers might attract more or lesser earnings depending on the number of projects they complete since their income will be dependent on the number of projects and not a flat figure.
Future of Graphic Design
This graphic designer job description might have excited you enough to join or invest in this area. You should know that there are hundreds of thousands of graphic design businesses and freelancers.But not all of them have been able to satisfy the quality demands of this profession. Getting the relevant training, experience and building a good portfolio is very important for success in graphic design. However, most important of all is being interested in graphic design.