Graphics are everywhere, from billboards to product labels to smartphones and laptops. Both printed and digital designs are used by brands large and small to promote their products or services. No matter what product or service they are selling, every visual campaign for a brand is designed by a graphic designer.
What does a graphic designer do? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graphic designers create visual concepts that communicate ideas to inspire, inform, and captivate customers. 1
Although all designers share some commonalities, graphic designers’ job duties, work environments, and skill sets can be very different. We’re here to help you understand graphic designers and how they do it.
What exactly is graphic design?
Graphic design is a complex concept that involves marketing, art and technology. Graphic designers can be thought of as visual storytellers, simplifying their purpose. Good designers use imagery to tell stories that are consistent with a brand’s message.
Pablo Solomon, a graphic designer, says that many graphic designers’ work is about blending form and function. He explains that you should achieve your practical goals in the most visually appealing and impactful way possible. Designers use images, musicians use music, and poets use words. Dancers use their movement to convey emotions, while designers use images.
Designers should aim to convey an idea visually to their clients.
What is a graphic designer?
You now have an idea of the tasks graphic designers perform every day. This can vary depending on their work location and the area they specialize.
There are some tasks that a graphic designer can expect to do every day. These are the BLS’s daily tasks for graphic designers. 1
Common graphic designer duties1:
To define the scope of a project, meet with clients or art directors
You can create designs using photo editing software, layout program and digital illustration
To communicate a company’s brand or message, it is important to choose the right colours, images, and typefaces
Clients or the art director can be presented with design concepts
Stakeholder feedback and opinions are used to make design updates
Final designs should be checked before publishing or printing to make sure there are no mistakes
Where are graphic designers employed?
Graphic designers can work in one of three settings: freelance, agency, or in-house. A company employs an in-house designer to create creative materials for its brand. Agency designers work on a project-by-project basis for companies that provide creative services to clients. Freelance designers are self-employed and have their clients and workload.
Every work environment has its unique benefits and disadvantages. However, certain characteristics and qualities are best for each place. Graphic designers need to be familiar with all the options available to help them choose the right environment.
What does a graphic designer do in an in-house setting, and what do they do?
Graphic designers in-house enjoy the stability and familiarity of a traditional work environment. In-house graphic designers create designs only for the company they work for, which allows them to invest fully in the brand and the target market. This type of designer is often a “jack-of-all trades” because they have a wide range of skills and can take on multiple types of projects.
What does a graphic designer do in an agency setting?
Smaller businesses and individuals often outsource their design work through a graphic design agency. Agency designers can manage multiple projects for different clients depending on their size. It is common for the workload to fluctuate depending on which contracts are received. This can lead to inconsistent schedules and an inability to meet deadlines. To ensure high quality, agencies often hire design professionals and distribute the projects according to their needs.
What does a graphic designer do as a freelancer?
Freelancing is a great option for business-savvy, self-disciplined and creative designers. These designers work independently and can often do so from their homes. They are the ones in control and can choose their hours, projects, and clients. They are responsible for the design of the business, as well as marketing and financial operations.
What are some essential graphic design skills?
Graphic designers must possess unique technical and artistic skills because their job involves many different aspects. We used real-time job analytics software to analyze more than 54,000 job postings for graphic designers over the past year. According to employers, this data allowed us to identify the most valuable hard and soft skills.
2 are the top technical skills for graphic artists
Adobe Creative Suite(r)
Social media
Typesetting
Website design
Packaging
Management of projects
Visual design
Marketing materials
Illustration
Digital design
Graphic designers have the following top skills: 2
Creativity
Communication
Attention to detail
Collaboration
Organization
Meeting deadlines
Editing
Problem-solving
Multi-tasking
Time management
Are you meant to become a graphic designer?
What does a graphic designer do? There is no standard job description. Specific duties depend on the specific work environment and specialization.
This is a good thing for anyone interested in the profession. You can create a career path that suits your preferences and priorities. You might consider a career in graphic design if this appeals to your interests.
