A graphic designer is an artist in the graphic arts and graphic design industry who combine together typography, images, or other motion graphics to produce a particular piece of artwork. A graphic designer not only creates the imagery primarily for print, online, or television media, but also creates the visual components that make up the artwork. This person’s work often includes illustrations, photographs, posters, book cover designs, and advertisements. In addition, they are responsible for the organization of databases, software, and other components for both web and computer applications.
Although many traditional college degree programs focus on art history and various forms of media production, graphic designers have a number of additional advantages over traditional art directors and designers. First, because they possess the creative and technical skills to animate, manipulate, and graphic design in ways that may not be possible with other types of designers, graphic designers have the ability to push the boundaries of creativity. For instance, some graphic designers are capable of animating entire movies, while others are capable of designing computer applications or websites that are visually stimulating. In addition, because they are not tied to one medium, they are free to explore multiple avenues in their careers.
A major part of a graphic designer’s job involves coming up with new ideas, as well as bringing older ideas to life through innovative design services. As technology progresses, graphic designers must be able to utilize new software and applications in order to come up with cutting-edge designs. In addition, they are sometimes asked to develop brand new products that will be used for print, broadcast, and Internet media promotions. Lastly, different types of services, such as book illustration, are also needed in a number of fields, which requires graphic designers to understand the fine art of drawing and art.
While working in a creative career, it is important to develop unique, yet cohesive, layouts for websites and other projects. In order to accomplish this, designers must be familiar with several different software programs. After learning to use the most popular programs, they should be able to transfer their work to a variety of formats. Most designers find that learning to draw sketches and to bring these to life helps them create more original designs. Learning to communicate with clients is also an essential part of this creative career.
When starting out in a graphic designer’s career, many individuals look to use design software packages as a way of creating their designs. However, for those who wish to branch out into other design mediums, it is necessary to learn the proper techniques and learn how to draw from different programs. Design software can aid designers in displaying graphics but is not always necessary to develop great designs. Many professionals agree that when it comes to truly unique artwork, a person’s intuition is often the best guide. When seeking out images to use for illustrations and backgrounds, freelancers and professionals alike are certain to find a wide variety of selections. Learning to identify a unique image and utilizing it in a unique way can lead to successful freelance work and the development of unique design skills.
Learning to be a freelance graphic designer can be challenging, especially for those who have not done this type of work before. It is important to remember that although many graphic designers receive regular commission checks from numerous companies, the majority of jobs are done on a freelance basis. By focusing a career on a particular company, one can learn the ins and outs of their industry and build up a client list over time. Once a graphic designer has enough experience under their belt, they may find that their creativity and versatility will allow them to earn a full-time living working from home.
