Where Do Graphic Designers Work?
Disciplines Within Graphic Design and What Jobs Are Available
Where Graphic Artists Work
Many graphic designers work for advertising agencies and design studios, who are hired by other companies to visually sell products or messages. Graphic designers can also find work at magazines and newspapers who need designers to layout editorial content and images. Many companies have in-house designers to work on internal and external publications and advertising. Also, companies and publications hire freelance designers to work on specific projects for predetermined periods of time.
A graphic designer can choose have a broad base of knowledge or become a specialist in a niche area of design, such as information design, editorial design or promotional design. From there the designer can get even more specialized in web, multimedia (audio, video, photo slideshows), animation, print or production design.
Available Jobs Within Graphic Design
Art Director – Usually manages a team of designers. Is responsible for the creative vision behind the project. Has previously worked as a graphic designer and had a broad range of design software skills, as well as an understanding of production and materials.
Animator – Anything animated, such as flash Web site intros, TV and video openers and closers, DVD menus, etc.
Layout Artist or Desktop Publisher – Usually given text and images to work with. Focuses heavily on the relationship between the text, images and message of the overall piece. Works in a print media focused environment as an in-house designer for a business or in editorial.
Logo Designer – Hand drawn or with a computer, a logo designer creates logos for companies and helps them create a specific and distinguishable brand for their company.
Flash Designer – Flash was previously mentioned under animator, but being a specific flash designer requires more than just creating an intro for a Web site. Flash Web site design requires knowledge of how Web sites should be structured, an understanding of complex Flash design software and knowledge of web design.
Illustrator – Conceptualize and create hand drawn graphics as well as digitally created graphics. Usually contained within the fields of technical illustration for medical textbooks or book publishing, packaging, etc.
Multimedia Designer – Works in the film and TV industries, as well as advertising agencies. Uses audio, video, photographs to create compelling cross platform pieces for viewers and/or readers. Also can create designs for sets, props and costumes.
Web Designer – Focuses on the visual side of the creation of Web sites, although most successful web designers also know how to code Web sites and have a basic understanding of Web site infrastructure.
Introduction to Graphic Design
What to know more? Related information is available at What Is Graphic Design? and Qualities of Good Graphic Design.
