Graphic Designer

Also known as:

Designer, Graphic

Introduction

Graphic designers create designs for advertisements, book covers, posters, magazines, company logos, packaging, catalogues, captions and websites. Visual design techniques can include illustration, computer graphics and photography.

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Work Activities

Graphic designers convey a message or create an effect by visual means, using illustration, typography and/or photography. They generally work on two-dimensional designs, creating ideas for, among other things, book covers, CD covers, posters, stationery and captions for television. However, graphic design also incorporates three-dimensional work in the form of product packaging, exhibitions and displays.

Many graphic designers work for advertising agencies alongside copywriters, who produce the text. They design posters, newspaper, magazine and television advertisements, and the layout for publicity materials and mailshots. Designers need to understand typography in order to give clear instructions as to the type and size of print to be used, as well as spacing necessary for illustrations.

Publishing companies employ designers to produce layouts, illustrate text, and design covers of books and magazines. Designers are also employed to work on the general design of the publications. An illustrator prepares rough sketches and layouts, experimenting with different ideas. Dummy pages are produced, and discussed with the client, printer and typesetter.

Designers who work in television, video and films, may have previous experience of book illustration or computer graphics. They produce credit sequences at the beginning and end of a programme, and create logos, cartoons and illustrations for sports and news items. Sometimes their work extends to the design of props such as foreign currency, charts and special effects.

Computer graphics is an aspect of graphic design that has expanded rapidly in recent years. Designers who have trained in graphics learn how to become proficient in using computers to create visual images. Examples of computer graphics' applications include the production of audiovisual slides (a major area of work), improving the quality of animated film, desktop publishing, illustration and the look of websites.

Technical graphics requires accuracy and attention to detail, but offers less scope for creativity. Designers prepare plans and drawings from written specifications for use by scientists, engineers and architects.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a graphic designer, you will need to have an excellent understanding of the use of shape, colour, space and form. You need to be able to produce new concepts and original ideas. Originality and imagination are especially important in non-technical work.

However, it is not only about your creative skills. You must also be able to work under pressure and balance creativity against cost-effectiveness. In all cases, you must be able to combine creative flair with determination and strong motivation.

You need to have excellent communication skills as you will be working both with clients and with other professionals and you will have to be able to explain your ideas clearly and effectively to non-designers. You should be able to work both alone and as part of a team.

A good knowledge of design software and excellent computer skills are essential.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for designers vary with the industry and responsibilities.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Graphic designers earn in the range of £18,000 - £23,000 a year, rising to £26,500 - £35,000. Higher earners can make around £43,500 a year.

Graphic designers work a basic 39-hour week, Monday to Friday. Late finishes and work at weekends may be required from time to time, especially to meet deadlines. Working hours for self-employed designers may be irregular, depending on how much work they have week-to-week.

Employers throughout the UK are:
• advertising agencies
• graphic design studios
• publishing companies
• traditional print and electronic publishing
• companies in the broadcast media.

Other opportunities exist in local government, in design departments of commercial companies and in design consultancies.

For the experienced graphic designer, self-employment and freelance work are possible.

Consultancy and fixed-term contract work may be available for experienced designers. You can obtain this work through specialist recruitment agencies.

Entry to most areas of design is very competitive.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Employers value work experience skills and abilities gained as an assistant in a design studio or in a design consultancy. Experience in related fields, such as advertising or marketing is also useful. Commercial awareness and an understanding of the industry you wish to work in is an advantage.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Art and Design) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

They can lead to relevant degree/HND courses.

Universities and institutions of higher education (HE) will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements, especially those with experience in arts, crafts or design. You should check the admissions policy of individual universities and HE institutions.

To enter this work or relevant courses, you normally need a portfolio of work showing your creative ability.

• 26% of people in occupations such as graphic designer are self-employed.
• 11% work part-time.
• 9% have flexible hours.
• 3% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments

This occupation may involve homeworking.  Find out more about Working from home.