What Does a Graphic Designer Do?
A graphic designer is someone involved in the graphic arts and graphic design industry who design together with typography, images, or other motion graphics to produce a creative piece of art. A graphic designer makes the visual graphics mainly for print, broadcast, or online media, including advertising and brochures. The typeface used by a graphic designer will generally be either a script typeface or a font face. The art director is usually part of the graphic designer team. Together they will produce the final draft of the project, edit the content and any animation, and finalize the look and feel of the end product.
The creative process starts with an idea that the designer can bring to life using his or her visual imagination. A few key things that designers consider when coming up with a new idea are whether it can be realized digitally or through more traditional ways, what types of media will be best suited for the project, and what types of images will best communicate the idea. After the designers have decided on the details of the project, they must then put their idea into words. This is where graphic designers combine their artistic skills with the technical knowledge they have gained through their years in school and their many careers.
The website design process begins with a basic idea for the layout of the website. Many graphic designers work with layout specialists to translate their idea into a physical form so it can be further developed. During the website design process, a graphic designer may collaborate with the copywriter and the webmaster in developing the content. Once the content is ready, a designer will add images, logos, and navigation bars so the site is properly functional.
Designers also use specialized software to lay out the visual concepts. Sometimes the text will need to be inserted so the designer can create visual concepts that will make the text stand out and be easily readable. In other cases, designers must draw or write code to add interactive features to the site.
With all of the technology available to developers, the process of creating a visually appealing site is easier than ever. A graphic designer creates visual concepts using design software that communicates the ideas clearly. He or she may even decide what type of graphics will be most effective and create iconic logos to convey the company’s message. Web developers use web technologies such as HTML, Flash, Java, and CSS to build a website. Each of these technologies plays a role in the process of putting an online site together.
It is easy for a graphic designer to become overwhelmed by all the different things involved in putting a website together. Designers use special software and graphics to transform statistical data into designs that spark creativity and appeal to customers. These designers often use colors and symbols to convey a certain mood or create special effects. They also use logos and typography to transform statistical data into graphical designs that are easy to read and understand.
