What does a graphic designer do?

Graphic designers use a variety of design elements combined with art and technology to communicate their ideas and creativity. They develop layouts and designs for advertisements, magazines and corporate reports, they will do this by sketching rough illustrations either by hand or using a computer program. Graphic designers will often collaborate with other graphic designers for projects which will have an array of other specialities such as; digital marketing specialists, art directors and web designers. They will often need to communicate with their clients to develop designs that portray their intended message and the consumers’ needs. As well as this they will also need to be able to present their ideas and take on feedback may this be good or bad to better improve their work, this means that a graphic designer will create many drafts to get to their final finished design.

What are the responsibilities and skills of a graphic designer?

• Meeting with clients or art directors of their project to determine the scope of their ideas.
• This means a graphic designer will have to be confident and be open-minded when communicating with their client so both they and the graphic designer themselves get the best outcome possible with their project.

• Determine the message the design should portray.
• Graphic designers must be decisive and sure of themselves when creating their work, although they also need to be open to ideas they must also be self-assured otherwise their work will take longer than needed as they will waffle and take forever to make up their mind, not making a good impression to their client.

• Create designs either by hand or by using software packages.
• To be a graphic designer the person must understand the digital software they are using and also have a somewhat good hand for drawing, for some this may need practice which will test the patience of some. As well as this a graphic designer will need to be creative and use their initiative to make their design/project ordinary and stand out from other people’s designs so consumers are more inclined to look at their design than others.

• Incorporate changes recommended by the clients for the final design.
• To achieve the best possible outcome for both the client and the graphic designer, the designer must be patient and not too self-critical on themselves, understand that they are working for a client which may have different ideas for what they want to fill their needs in what they need in the product. By being judgmental of themselves the designer knocks their own confidence and takes away their passion from their work.

• Review designs for errors before printing or publishing them.
• Graphic designers must be self-aware of their work checking through and seeing what can be improved and if they have met the needs for what their client wants, being conscious of their own work creates a good impression of themselves to a client and shows that they are invested into their project to get it done to the best standard.

There are many strands of job roles to role of being a graphic designer these include the following;

• Creative Director- These manage a creative team through the production of advertising campaigns and product branding that the visuals are created for.
• Visual Image Developer- Create images through photography image editing and 3D modelling, designs are also created through these.
• Multimedia Developer- Applying their knowledge of graphic design to sound and motion.
• Web Designer- Creating graphics, layouts and pages for websites.

Email Marketing Designer

What they do

They strategically design and create emails that resonate with their business’s target audience. They are responsible in part for the extension of the company’s brand identity.

Working Hours

Depending on the time zone of the business and when their working hours are on, 8 hours a day.

General Responsibilities

Research up to date and emerging technologies in the design field and implement this into their work.

Qualifications Needed

A./B.S. in Marketing, Business, Graphic Design, Web Design. Communications, or related field

Starting Wage- Average Income

£25,000-£53,588 a year

Availability

Why You Might Want to Work Freelance

Freelancing in some circumstances allows you to have your own time schedule, so if you have a busy family or children to look after this can be an even bigger benefit. As a freelancer you have your own freedoms to who you can work with, meaning you don’t have to work with people you don’t get along with. As well as this, being a freelancer allows you to gain your own independence and build your own skills. Freelancers can demand more money for the job they are doing for a client, unlike employees who have a set wage and may only get a small increase every year.

Being a freelancer also comes with its disadvantages such as in some circumstances working alone resulting in becoming lonely. As well as this, as a freelancer, you become your own manager of your admin meaning you have to be doing all your own admin work, including chasing invoices and business finances. Although you may get more income than regular employees, you find that the income is irregular and some months will be worse than others, there is no steady wage.

Questions to a Freelancer

How do I get into the freelance business and make myself recognizable?

What are the disadvantages of making your own money?

What do you do from day to day at work?

What are the advantages of choosing your own employees?

 

References:

https://uk.indeed.com/Email-Marketing-Designer-jobs?advn=4716877536531905&vjk=78049d6ea1329460