Graphic designer

A graphic designer is responsible for creating design solutions that have a high visual impact. The role involves listening to clients and understanding their needs before making design decisions. Their designs are required for a huge variety of products and activities, such as websites, advertising, books, magazines, posters, computer games, product packaging, exhibitions and displays, corporate communications, and corporate identity, i.e. giving organisations a visual 'brand'.

Job Specification

• Interpreting the client's business needs and developing a concept to suit their purpose;
• Estimating the time required to complete the work and providing quotes for clients;
• Developing design briefs by gathering information and data through research;
• Thinking creatively to produce new ideas and concepts;
• Using innovation to redefine a design brief within the constraints of cost and time;
• Presenting finalized ideas and concepts to clients or account managers;
• Working with a wide range of media, including photography and computer-aided design (CAD);
• Proofreading to produce accurate and high-quality work;
• Contributing ideas and design artwork to the overall brief;
• Demonstrating illustrative skills with rough sketches;
• Working on layouts and artworking pages ready for print;
• Keeping abreast of emerging technologies in new media, particularly design programs such as InDesign, QuarkXPress, FreeHand, Illustrator, Photoshop, 3ds Max, Acrobat, Director, Dreamweaver, and Flash;
• Commissioning illustrators and photographers;
• Working as part of a team with printers, copywriters, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, account executives, web developers, and marketing specialists.