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Job Description: Graphic Designer

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Graphic designers work to bring many kinds of communication alive. They produce designs that get their clients' messages across with high visual impact. The role demands a keen business sense as well as creative flair.

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Job Description, Salaries and Benefits

Graphic designers produce designs that get their clients' messages across with high visual impact. They work on a huge variety of products, including websites, packaging, books and magazines, corporate identity (to give organisations a visual 'brand'), advertising, exhibitions and displays, and computer games.

Most graphic design work is now done on computer using specialised industry-standard graphics and multimedia software packages. Graphic designers have to work closely with other colleagues involved in projects, such as copywriters, photographers and sales staff. They may also work directly with clients.

Graphic designers usually work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Extra hours are common, especially to meet critical project deadlines. Part-time work may be possible. The work is usually done in an open-plan design studio. It involves sitting and working at a computer for long periods.

Salaries may range from around £11,000 to £65,000 a year.

A graphic designer must have:

  • creative flair, originality and a strong visual sense
  • strong computer skills
  • confidence, to present and explain ideas to clients and colleagues
  • an interest in graphics and typography.

There are nearly 40,000 businesses working in graphic design, ranging from major agencies to sole freelancers. The design sector is growing, but competition for vacancies can still be keen. Gaining early experience and building a portfolio of work is an advantage. Some graphic designers create websites to show off their work.

Most graphic designers have a degree or diploma. This may be in graphic design, illustration, fine art or a related subject. There are many courses available at universities and arts colleges across the UK. Many students take a one-year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design before applying for a degree or diploma course. A range of NVQs/SVQs in design subjects is also available. Mature students are welcomed on art and design courses.

Employers generally expect new entrants to have learned the essential skills while completing their qualifications, but may support further study, eg for a postgraduate degree. They may also provide in-house or external training in specific aspects of the job, such as presentation skills. Graphic designers are expected to keep up to date with the latest trends in the industry.

Junior designers can progress to a senior position such as studio manager or creative director in an agency. Graphic designers can also specialise in a particular field, such as packaging or magazine design. Many designers work on a freelance basis once experienced. There may be opportunities for experienced designers to work abroad, eg in Europe and the USA.

What is the work like?

Graphic design input is required for a huge variety of products and activities, including:

  • websites
  • packaging
  • books and magazines
  • corporate identity - to give organisations a visual 'brand'
  • advertising
  • exhibitions and displays
  • computer games.

Tasks are likely to include:

  • finding out about the project requirements (taking a 'brief')
  • estimating the time the project will require, and providing a cost quotation
  • coming up with design concepts that fit the client's needs
  • presenting options for design treatments
  • creating final designs, working to a deadline and budget
  • amending designs according to the clients' final comments
  • proofreading and preparing designs to be sent to print.

Apart from rough sketches, most graphic design work is now done on computer. Graphic designers use specialised industry-standard graphics or multimedia software packages.

Designers may use different media - eg photography and illustration - to get the results they want.

Graphic designers may deal directly with their clients. Those working in an agency may take briefs from an account manager who has responsibility for client contact.

Designers also have to work closely with other colleagues involved in projects, such as copywriters, photographers and sales staff. In order to win work, they may take part in formal presentations to 'pitch' their ideas to potential clients.

Salaries for junior designers may start at around £14,000 a year.

Hours and Environment

Graphic designers usually work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Extra hours are common, especially to meet critical project deadlines. Part-time work may be possible.

Many designers work on a freelance basis after gaining some years' experience.

The work is usually done in an open-plan design studio. It involves sitting and working at a computer for long periods. Self-employed designers may work from home or share studio space.

There may be some travel to meet clients.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

  • Salaries for junior designers may start at around £14,000 a year.
  • With experience, earnings may rise to around £25,000-£40,000.
  • Senior designers in a creative director role may earn up to £65,000.

Skills and Personal Qualities

A graphic designer must have:

  • creative flair
  • a strong visual sense
  • originality
  • strong computer skills
  • confidence, to present and explain ideas to clients and colleagues
  • the ability to grasp client needs and consider practical solutions
  • the ability to pay attention to detail
  • the ability to balance work on several projects at a time
  • good teamworking skills
  • flexibility
  • an awareness of the competitive business environment in which they work
  • a matter-of-fact approach when ideas or designs are rejected.

Interests

It is important to have an interest in:

  • graphics and typography
  • new developments in design software
  • current trends and techniques

Getting in

Around 185,000 people work across the design sector as a whole. There are nearly 40,000 businesses working in graphic design, ranging from major agencies to sole freelancers.

There are two main types of employer.

  • Agencies carry out graphic design work for a range of clients. They may specialise in advertising, corporate communications or general graphic design.
  • Many large organisations have in-house design teams. These include publishers, banks, retailers, government departments, local authorities, universities and packaging companies.

Employers are based all over the UK. Almost half of design agencies are in London and the South East.

The design sector is growing. However, because there are many higher education courses in graphic design, competition for vacancies can still be keen. Gaining early experience and building a portfolio of work is an advantage. Some graphic designers create websites to show off their work.

Vacancies are advertised in trade press, such as Design Week, or national press, such as The Guardian (Mondays). Some graphic design vacancies are filled through specialist recruitment agencies.

Entry for young people

While there are no set entry requirements, most graphic designers have a degree or diploma. This may be in graphic design, illustration, fine art or a related subject. There are many courses at universities and arts colleges across the UK.

With enthusiasm and a strong portfolio of work, it may be possible to enter without a degree or diploma. However, qualifications make career progression easier.

Many students take a one-year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design before applying for a degree or diploma course. This enables students to try a variety of art and design subjects, and allows them to build up a portfolio of work. Entry requirements are usually five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), and sometimes A levels/H grades, or equivalent qualifications.

For a degree course, two A-levels/H grades are usually needed, including an art-related subject, as well as five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), or equivalent qualifications.

For BTEC national diplomas or certificates, entry requirements are four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3). For a higher national certificate/higher national diploma (HNC/HND) course, entry requirements are one A level/two H grades in art and design subjects, or a BTEC national diploma/certificate in a relevant subject, or the equivalent.

Many institutions now offer Foundation degrees in art and design subjects. These usually involve two years of part-time study. Successful candidates then have the option of transferring to the latter stages of an honours degree course. Entry requirements vary between institutions.

With a first degree in a related subject, it is possible to apply for a postgraduate degree or diploma in specialised areas of graphic design.

A range of NVQs/SVQs in design subjects is also available.

Entry for adults

Mature students are welcomed on art and design courses. Entry requirements may not be as high if applicants can show a genuine enthusiasm and a strong portfolio.

Many adult entrants may begin on an Access or pre-entry course and may then be accepted directly onto a degree or diploma course.

Training

Employers generally expect new entrants to have learned the essential skills while completing their qualifications.

Employers may support further study, eg for a postgraduate degree or diploma. They may also provide in-house or external training in specific aspects of the job, such as presentation skills.

Graphic designers are expected to keep up to date with the latest trends in the industry. They may attend courses and demonstrations of new design software.

Getting On

Junior designers can progress to a senior position. With further experience they may take on team management responsibilities, eventually becoming studio manager or creative director in an agency.

Those working for smaller companies may find limited opportunities for advancement. Many designers change employers to progress their career.

Graphic designers can specialise in a particular field, such as packaging or magazine design. With further training, they may move on to related fields such as animation or television and video graphics.

There may be opportunities for experienced designers to work abroad, eg in Europe and the USA.

Further Information

Further Reading

  • Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market - Writer's Digest Books
  • Creative Futures - National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD)
  • How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul - Laurence King Publishing
  • The Business of Design - Design Council/DBA

Magazines

  • Blueprint
  • Campaign
  • Creative Review
  • Design Week
  • Eye
  • Grafik

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