Depending on the industry and employer, graphic designers may use their artistic talents to create print or online ads or design packaging for products. Read on to learn about some of the duties and responsibilities of a graphic designer.
Graphic Designer Job Description
Graphic designers can work at small or large corporations, newspapers, and magazines, or with an online company, but their duties and responsibilities are often the same. Your main duty as a graphic designer would be to create an appropriate piece of art or design based on a client's wants and needs. One of your most important graphic designer responsibilities would be to create something memorable or eye-catching in order to draw attention to a product being advertised. Graphic designers are responsible for creating both 2-D and 3-D designs for everything from posters to postcards to product packaging. You might create graphics for use in print and online, lay out a page of text and graphics, help with the development of maps, design brochures set type, or draw an original illustration.
<h2 id="section---WhatDoesAGraphicDesignerDoOnADailyBasis">What Does a Graphic Designer Do on a Daily Basis?</h2><p>Your daily graphic designer duties may vary based on the stages of a project: you might be brainstorming and developing an idea, using computer graphics programs to make your vision come to life, or presenting a concept to your client. The following sections describe some of the graphic designer tasks you will find yourself doing in this career.
</p><h3 id="section---WorkingInAdvertising">Working in Advertising</h3><p>As a graphic designer, you may be asked to develop an advertising idea from scratch. This requires you to first gain a good rapport with the client so you can glean as much information as possible about the direction he or she would like to take with the advertisement. Your next step would be to brainstorm and sketch out your initial ideas. After this stage, you would then create storyboards, either through drawing by hand or with a computer program. Once your initial storyboard or idea is developed, you would need to present it to the client to see if the work is acceptable. If all is acceptable, you would be tasked with turning the approved storyboard into a finished piece.
</p><h3 id="section---ComputerResponsibilities">Computer Responsibilities</h3><p>Graphic designers need to be able to use and understand the latest graphics programs available for a Mac or PC operating system. You would be responsible for learning the most recent editions of programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign in order to be eligible for many jobs in the field. You would also be responsible for knowing how to operate peripheral hardware like printers, scanners, and digital cameras.
</p><h3 id="section---OtherDutiesAndTasks">Other Duties and Tasks</h3><p>Another responsibility of a graphic designer is working closely with project managers, artists, and art directors. You could be asked to give a presentation to a client or to attend meetings on a regular basis. Since many projects in graphic design must be published by a certain date, you would be responsible for meeting all of the deadlines set forth by your clients and others. You may also be responsible for administrative duties, such as keeping files and ordering supplies.
</p><h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Median Salary (2018) </td><td> $50,370*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2016 to 2026) </td><td> 4%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Graphic_Design_Degree_Programs_Your_Questions_Answered.html">Graphic Design Education</a> </td><td> Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Drafters, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Does_a_Technical_Writer_Do.html">technical writers</a>, animators, web developers</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i></p>
