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| {{Infobox Occupation | | {{Template:WillNotMigrate}} |
| | name= Graphic Designer
| | For guidance on writing good automated tests for PHPUnit, see [[Writing_PHPUnit_tests]] |
| | image= [[File:Shamir Brothers.jpg|200px]]
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| | caption= Graphic designers [[Gabriel and Maxim Shamir]]
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| | official_names= [[creative director]], [[art director]]
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| <!------------Details------------------->
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| | type= Profession
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| | activity_sector= [[advertising]], [[book design]], [[brand management|branding]], [[illustration]], [[page layout]], [[typography]], [[webcomic]], [[web design]]
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| | competencies= technical knowledge, cultural relevance, art history
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| | formation=
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| | related_occupation= [[production artist]]
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| A '''graphic designer''' is a professional within the [[graphic design]] and [[graphic arts]] industry who assembles together images, [[typography]] or motion graphics to create a piece of design. A graphic designer creates the graphics primarily for [[published media|published]], [[print media|printed]] or [[electronic media]], such as [[brochure]]s (sometimes) and [[advertising]]. They are also sometimes responsible for [[typesetting]], [[illustration]], user interfaces, [[web design]], or take a teaching position. A core responsibility of the designer's job is to present information in a way that is both accessible and memorable.<ref>{{cite web
| | For guidance on writing good manual testing instructions, please see [[Testing_instructions_guide]] |
| | url = http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/what-is-design
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| | title = What is graphic design?
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| | author = Jessica Helfand
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| | publisher = ''[[AIGA]]''
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| | accessdate = 2009-06-29
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| | quote = it is the art of visualizing ideas
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| }}</ref>
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| == Qualifications==
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| A degree or certificate from an accredited trade school is usually considered essential for a graphic design position. After a career history has been established, though, the graphic designer's experience and number of years in the business are considered the primary qualifications. A [[Career portfolio|portfolio]], which is the primary method for demonstrating these qualifications, is usually required to be shown at job interviews, and is constantly developed throughout a designer's career.
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| One can obtain an [[Associate's degree|AAS]], [[Bachelor's degree#BA, AB, BDes, BS, BSc, SB, ScB, BAAS,|BA]], [[Bachelor of Fine Arts|BFA]], [[Master's degree|MFA]] or an [[Master of Philosophy|MPhil]] / [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in graphic design. Degree programs available vary depending upon the institution, although typical U.S. graphic design jobs require at least some form of degree.
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| Current graphic designer jobs demand proficiency in one or more graphic design software programs. A common software package used in the graphic design industry is [[Adobe Creative Suite]]. Another example is [[CorelDraw Graphics Suite]].
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| Outside the graphic design industry, many people use [[Microsoft Word]] or [[Microsoft Publisher]] to create a layout or design. However, depending on the job at hand, most designers create the layout in either InDesign, CorelDRAW or QuarkXPress. Specifically, the designer will type or import the text in the layout program, also importing the graphics and images they created in Photoshop or Illustrator. There are a couple of reasons a designer builds a layout in this fashion:
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| *Files going to press are generally printed at 300 dots per inch. As a result, the file size can become very large, depending upon the photos and graphics used in it. By using a layout program and linking these graphics and images (but not saving all of them in the file itself), the working file is a fraction of the file size. When the designer is ready to go to press, s/he will either create a press-ready PDF; or use the "Package" function in InDesign, or the "Collect For Output" function in QuarkXpress or CorelDRAW (which gathers the layout document, plus all fonts and images used therein, and saves them in one folder which can be provided to a commercial printing company for final output).
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| *InDesign, CorelDRAW, or QuarkXPress make it possible to work with large multiple page layouts, such as catalogs and booklets.
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| *Since InDesign, CorelDRAW, and QuarkXPress import the original file, linking to the graphics and images, the designer can change the "original file" and it will update all instances throughout the document to save time.
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| A web designer should understand how to work with [[XML]], [[HTML]], and basic web programming [[Javascript|scripts]]. A print designer should understand the processes involved in printing (including, notably, [[offset printing]]) to be able to produce press-ready artwork.
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| Designers should be able to solve visual communication problems or challenges. In doing so, the designer must identify the communications issue, gather and analyze information related to the issue, and generate potential approaches aimed at solving the problem. Iterative [[Prototype|prototyping]] and [[user testing]] can be used to determine the success or failure of a visual solution. Approaches to a communications problem are developed in the context of an audience and a media channel. Graphic designers must understand the social and [[Norm (sociology)|cultural norms]] of that audience in order to develop visual solutions that are perceived as relevant, understandable and effective.<ref>NASAD Competencies Summary, BFA in Graphic Design, page 2 [http://aqresources.arts-accredit.org/site/docs/AQ-AD/BFA-GraphicDesign.pdf agresources.arts-accredit.org], last accessed 29 June 2009.</ref>
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| Graphic designers should also have a thorough understanding of production and rendering methods. Some of the technologies and methods of production are drawing, offset printing, photography, and time-based and interactive media (film, video, computer multimedia). Frequently, designers are also called upon to manage color in different media.<ref>NASAD Competencies Summary, BFA in Graphic Design, page 2 [http://aqresources.arts-accredit.org/site/docs/AQ-AD/BFA-GraphicDesign.pdf agresources.arts-accredit.org], last accessed 29 June 2009.</ref>
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| ==Career portfolio==
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| Fifty years ago, the graphic designer's [[Career portfolio|portfolio]] was usually a black book or large binder in which samples of the artist's best printed pieces were carried to show prospective clients or employers. Printed pieces are often protected inside by being mounted on boards or slipped into Acetate sleeves.
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| Since the 1990s, portfolios have become increasingly computer digitized, and now may be entirely digitized and available on the Internet, or on [[CD]], [[DVD]], or via [[email]].
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| ==Branding==
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| Graphic design relates heavily to [[corporate identity]], the [[brand management|branding]] and "persona" of a corporation.
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| ==See also==
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| *[[Graphic design occupations]]
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| *[[List of graphic designers]]
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| == References ==
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| {{Commons category|Graphic designers}}
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| {{Reflist}}
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| <!--Please DO NOT link to specific graphic designers or design agencies, that could be considered advertising.-->
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Graphic Designer}}
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| [[Category:Computer occupations]]
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| [[Category:Media occupations]]
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| [[Category:Graphic designers| ]] | |
