Graphic designers create visual designs for their clients and also oversee the production of the design. They use typography, illustration, color, photography and animation for implementation with printing, websites, environmental graphics, video and other means of visual communication. The graphic designer must organize the various elements visually to drive home a desired message.
Designs are required for a huge variety of products and activities, such as:
- Corporate Identity/Branding
- Logo Design
- Advertisements
- Poster Design
- Billboards
- Brochures
- Magazine Layouts
- Book Layouts
- Book Covers
- Product Packaging
- Websites
- Newspapers
- TV Commercials
- T-Shirt Design
- Motion Video Graphics
- Wayfinding/Signage
- Exhibits
- Clothing/Fabric Design
- Product Design
Graphic designers usually work from a ‘brief’, which is an outline of the clients needs. It is up to the graphic designer to use available resources to convey the message that the client requires. Design work spans a range of formats including magazines, billboards, product packaging, exhibitions and even into films and TV shows. Graphic Designers need to be creative and strive for originality whilst working under tight time and budget constraints.
Unlike other areas of design, graphic designers can often trade on their talent, ideas and portfolio as much, if not more, than formal academic qualifications. Nonetheless, most professional graphic designers study to higher national diploma (HND), foundation degree or degree level in graphic design or a related art or design-based subject.
