What Does a Graphic Designer Do?
A graphic designer or graphic artist conveys information through visual solutions that promote or enhance a service, product, philosophy or entity. Graphic design is a professional umbrella term for a skill set that can be applied to a wide range of positions. A good graphic designer has strong interpersonal and marketing skills, in addition to a keen eye and an adept knowledge of electronic media packages. Graphic artists work with a variety of materials, including film media, animation, sound, images, illustration, type, color, and “white space.” The first step of any project is to identify the needs of the client. The designer must also consider the target market, taking social or cultural considerations into account. The process normally starts with a hand-drawn or electronic sketch of the layout, followed by a mockup presented for approval. A mockup that is attractive but fails to convey the proper message or serve the needs of the product in some way will be rejected. In a small
Using print and/or electronic media as their ‘canvas’, graphic designers create designs that meet their client’s commercial needs to communicate a message to a specific audience. Computers are a designer’s main production tool used to create promotional, advertising, and informational graphics, some of which include: brochures, direct mail, annual reports, book and book jacket design, catalogs, newspaper layout, ad design, magazine layout, CD design, logo and identity graphics, signage design, display design, web design and interactive media design.
