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Job description | Graphic designers provide creative solutions to the communication needs of clients, as defined by design briefs. Job satisfaction comes from using your creative powers to solve a problem through a set of strategic steps. Some designers work for design consultancies which offer design services to a wide range of clients, while others work for publishing companies, advertising agencies, television, video and film companies, the music industry, the computer games industry, the packaging industry, for retailers and fashion manufacturers and some public sector bodies. Day to day, your role is likely to involve: - meeting clients to discuss their needs - gathering information on the brief and synthesising data to clarify design issues - thinking creatively to produce new solutions using a wide range of media - producing a solution, visualising ideas - producing accurate work using your mac skills - adapting to constraints of cost, time and client |
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| Typical employers | Advertising agencies;
publishers; design groups; magazines; local industry and multi-media companies; local government; computer games companies; commerce; education; television and record labels. |
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| Qualifications and experience |
Most employers will ask for graduates
(junior designers) to be qualified to BA Hons standard, although enthusiasm and an ability to communicate ideas effectively and clearly are just as important as academic qualifications. Good presentation and drawing skills are helpful and you will also need to be self-disciplined, flexible, patient, realistic and analytical. Work or placement experience is extremely useful. It helps to build a portfolio and make useful contacts. Employers would expect designers of 2-3 years experience (middle-weight designers) to be fluent on an Apple Mac and be fully conversant in programmes such as Quark Express, Adode Illustrator and Photoshop and also have a good understanding and appreciation of the print process. Excellent communication skills are a must. These help when interpreting and negotiating briefs with clients. Designers must be confident and be able to explain and sell ideas to clients and colleagues. A sense of humour and the ability to work as a member of a team in a competitive culture are essential. It helps to have an understanding of the wider aspects of the industry in which you are working, whether this is photography, illustration or reprographics. |
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| Salary | Range of typical starting
salaries: £12,000 - £16,000 Range of typical salaries at age 40: £30,000 - £65,000 There are wide variations depending on the sector of employment and geographic location. Earnings can be very high for directors of successful businesses. |
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| Working hours and conditions | Contracts may state a 9-5 working
day, but the nature of the business requires flexibility, especially if
deadlines are tight. There can be times of high stress and |
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| When applying | Present a portfolio edited to the
relevant needs of the employer. Have a sample of your work, CV and a business
card to leave as reference. A knowledge of the employer's market and clients
is essential, as is enthusiasm and a business-like approach. Be prepared
to canvass companies for jobs.
As a graduate seeking a first job, small to medium sized companies can provide you with the opportunity to build on your creative knowledge and to gain an insight into the industry. The industry is very competitive as the supply of designers outstrips
demand. |
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| More information/ professional bodies | Chartered Society of Designers,
www.csd.org.uk Design and Art Directors Association, www.dandad.co.uk British Design Initiative, www.britishdesign.co.uk Society of Typographic Designers, www.istd.org.uk British Interactive Multi Media Association, www.bima.co.uk |
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| Within these4walls |
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| Personal thoughts | “Networking plays a major role in the recruitment process. Try and build up an extensive list of contacts from within different specialist areas of the graphic design industry i.e corporate design, music, advertising, branding, publishing, editorial, packaging etc. etc. Try not to pigeon hole yourself too much within one particular specialist area and build up a portfolio of varied work. Employers like to see a variety of different projects in portfolios and the best jobs usually go to people with experience and knowledge from within different design areas.” Seb Pizzuto, senior designer, Fishburn Hedges |
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