Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

 

Most advertising agencies employ at least one graphic designer to develop and produce print and digital advertisements. Their skills are used to send a message using images that promotes a product or service.

 

Tools of the Trade

 

Graphic designers know how to use a variety of tools to produce images and designs for an advertisement. Whether it is used in print or digital format, a graphic image needs to be rendered at the highest quality. Before computers, a graphic designer would have to produce each image completely by hand. A variety of materials were put together to make a single image. Graphic designers would use sketches, paintings, photographs and other tools to produce the final piece of artwork. Although those tools are still used today, computer software programs have made it easier for the graphic designer to create images and designs. Graphic design software aids graphic designers in the creation of illustrations, fonts and text art, photo manipulations, touch ups and layouts. A final image can be rendered with clean, sharp lines and a clear enough resolution that it can be copied into multiple mediums without losing its clarity.

 

What It’s Used For

 

Images produced by a graphic designer are used for a number of applications. Advertising agencies use them in print and digital advertisements. Graphic designers work with film media including animation and digital enhancing tools to produce clean, clear film images in cartoons, movies, commercials and more. The work of a graphic designer can also be seen in a variety of print media. Fliers, catalogs, advertisements, books and other hard copy items all contain images produced by a graphic designer. Graphic designers help to produce images used for logos, road signs, product labels, websites and advertisements. There are hundreds of applications in which graphic designers and graphic artwork are used.

 

Responsibilities

 

A graphic designer is responsible for more than just the creation of images and designs used in advertisements. Many graphic designers wear many hats and must be a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the performance of their duties. Some responsibilities of a graphic designer include:

 

  1. Learning about the latest in computer software used to create digital images. Programs like Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and others are constantly adding tools and features that help make design and image production faster and more convenient.

  2. Work with others in their field to design and create images that are coherent and on target as to what the client would like. Graphic designers must be able to communicate well with clients to discuss project goals.

  3. Graphic designers must manage time and be able to meet project deadlines.

  4. An excellent graphic designer is able to pay attention to many different projects at once while still paying attention to quality and detail.