Graphic Design Schools

In graphic design schools, students learn how to take an idea and turn it into a visual illustration. So any type of company needing this type of service will hire graphic designers to fulfill the order. Some types of companies (marketing agencies, for example) retain full-time designers who graduated from a college program. Other companies hire graphic designers on a contract-only basis to fulfill a specific work order.

Graphic designers are responsible to nearly all types of media and imagery seen in the world today. From the layout and design of this website to the billboards outside your home or office, a graphic designer was at work to create an image for you to perceive. The job of graphic design graduates is important – they convey the meaning of things with or without words.

Who is Hiring Graphic Designers?

There is no conclusive list of companies that hire graphic designers. Rather, any company or entity that needs graphic work or an artist to convey a specific message or idea is likely to hire a graphic designer. For a more permanent role in the industry, graphic design colleges refer to marketing agencies and design firms as the most stable employers in the industry because they always need graphic designers. But many companies will hire their own, in-house graphic designer. These companies exist in all types of industries.

What Type of Jobs do Graphic Designers Fill?

According to Taylor Loran of Suite101, graphic designers are hired for a wide variety of roles:

“Art Director – Usually manages a team of designers. Is responsible for the creative vision behind the project. Has previously worked as a graphic designer and had a broad range of design software skills, as well as an understanding of production and materials.

Animator – Anything animated, such as flash Web site intros, TV and video openers and closers, DVD menus, etc.

Layout Artist or Desktop Publisher – Usually given text and images to work with. Focuses heavily on the relationship between the text, images and message of the overall piece. Works in a print media focused environment as an in-house designer for a business or in editorial.

Logo Designer – Hand drawn or with a computer, a logo designer creates logos for companies and helps them create a specific and distinguishable brand for their company.

Flash Designer – Flash was previously mentioned under animator, but being a specific flash designer requires more than just creating an intro for a Web site. Flash Web site design requires knowledge of how Web sites should be structured, an understanding of complex Flash design software and knowledge of web design.

Illustrator – Conceptualize and create hand drawn graphics as well as digitally created graphics. Usually contained within the fields of technical illustration for medical textbooks or book publishing, packaging, etc.

Multimedia Designer – Works in the film and TV industries, as well as advertising agencies. Uses audio, video, photographs to create compelling cross platform pieces for viewers and/or readers. Also can create designs for sets, props and costumes.

Web Designer – Focuses on the visual side of the creation of Web sites, although most successful web designers also know how to code Web sites and have a basic understanding of Web site infrastructure.”

Read more: Disciplines Within Graphic Design and What Jobs Are Available

Graphic designers are responsible for nearly every image we see in print publications, online media, advertisements, and commercials. Most professionally produced videos and images are born of art created by an expert in graphic design. Graphic designers create logos, posters, product labels, movie and game art, special effects and more. Because the job of graphic designers is so broad and because there are so many types of graphic designs to be created, the jobs for graphic designers are plentiful.

Graphic design can be broken into many categories, but to keep it simple there are four major types of graphic designers. Within these four categories are many more specific types of graphic designers who specialize in certain aspects of design. There are also four basic levels of graphic design that are significant when discussing the types of graphic designers.

Note: Many types of graphic design jobs are filled by a single graphic designer. For companies that use print and digital media to advertise, graphic design employees are often tasked with both roles.

Graphic Design Levels

To truly understand the types of graphic design, it is important to know that there are professional levels within the ‘graphic design’ world. The four levels of graphic design are used to describe the experience, or level of expertise, of a given graphic designer.

#1: Entry-Level Designers are new to the graphic design business. They may be building their portfolio or recent graduates from a graphic design college. Interns with a degree and professionals with little experience are considered ‘entry-level’ graphic designers.

#2: Mid-Level Designers have a bit more experience and have a good portfolio to show for it. Employers trust them with marketing and advertising, logos, and other print or digital media. Mid-level designers are often given creative freedom to help build a company’s brand or public image.

#3: Senior-Level Designers have vast experience in graphic design. As such, they manage other designers beneath their experience level. However, senior-level designers spend much of their time doing the same things that a mid-level designer will do. (They usually get paid a little more for their expertise.)

#4: Art Directors are considered to sit at the top of their profession. These graphic designers are responsible for coordinating the work of all other designers at a company or firm. Art director are usually employed by bigger companies to manage the design and marketing department. Because their role involves much more management, they spend less time actually working on designs.

Types of Graphic Designers

Printed media is anything that will be printed and includes product labels, newspaper and magazine spreads, billboard advertisements, street signs, and other types of print media. In recent years, the jobs for these types of graphic designers have converged or must coordinate with digital media tasks. Print designers must be versatile enough to do both print and digital graphic designs.

Logos, Marketing, and Branding

Marketing and branding is a type of graphic design that is very important to most companies. For this reason, most marketing and branding designers are mid- to senior-level graphic designers. The job of this type of graphic designer is to create advertising and marketing that sets the ‘theme’ of a given company. The consumer will form his or her opinion of a company based on the work done by these designers. Logo design is essential for any business. This is the one thing that will serve as a signature for the company, so a lot of time and effort goes into creating a logo.

Publications

Publication designers are responsible for the organization, flow, and aesthetics of printed magazines, newspapers, newsletters, brochures, and other types of print media. (Brochures may also be designed by marketing designers.)

Packaging

It’s a good bet that nearly all packages in the room with you right now were designed by a graphic designer. From soda bottles to DVD movie covers, a packaging designer is responsible for the graphics printed on the package.

Web Designers and End-User Experience (Digital Design)

While ‘web design’ is an industry in and of itself, many firms and companies will hire a web/graphic designer to handle front-end web designs. These are the types of graphic designers that determine and digitally design the appearance of a web page. All websites have some sort of graphic design involved and most of that work is completed, from scratch, by a graphic designer.

Back-end web design may also be completed by a graphic designer who is good with coding and programming. While design and coding seem to be opposite on the creative spectrum, many successful graphic designers can accomplish both tasks.

Within the realm of ‘web design’ is another type of graphic designer that creates the interactive components of a website. This includes contact forms, surveys, videos, and other media with which the user can interact on a website.

If you are thinking about a career in graphic design, chances are you are looking at prospective colleges, trying to figure out scholarships and funding, and dreaming big about your future in the world of graphic design. While it is definitely important to ‘know your stuff’ when you head out into the job market, it is equally important to hone your interview skills.

Graphic design jobs don’t come easy, especially for very recent graphic design school graduates. And while you may choose to gain experience as an intern while in school, nothing will prepare you for that first job interview as well as actually going through the interview. Graphic design professionals often have to ‘sell’ themselves many, many times throughout their career. If you plan to be a freelance graphic designer or work for an established firm, you will still have to interview well and sell your ideas for the next contract over and over again.

Here we look at tips from one professional graphic designer who has had much success in landing new clients. Ashley Rundall says that the key to acing that interview is knowing how you are different than the other guys vying for the same job.

“I can still remember my senior year of college… building a portfolio, researching places I dreamed of working and sending countless pleas for an interview. I not only remember how nervous I was, but how clueless and unprepared I was for “a real job.” Now looking back, I wish I had someone to give me more direction on how to get interviews, prepare for them, what to do after interviews and the most important part, how to be good at the interview process. By no means do I have all of the answers, but I do have some useful tips that I would have greatly benefited from… and I hope that you can too.

Interview Basics for Designers

Companies don’t hire portfolios, they hire people. When you interview, you are selling yourself and your ability to produce great work. Your portfolio is the product of you.

Look up the location in advance and be early. If anything is unclear, ask the receptionist for specific driving or parking details prior to the meeting. Never show up late to an interview or cancel without appropriate notice.

Check to see how much time the interviewer has available and pace yourself accordingly.

Hand out your résumé first, during the introductions.

Connect with the interviewer. Ask them about their role, how long they’ve been there, their approach to design, etc.

Remember, excitement is contagious.

You have to “sell yourself” and your ability to do more than just produce great work. Interviewers have to believe in you and be willing to invest in your career.”

Read more at AIGA.

Art Director Ashley Rundall posted the guest blog on AIGA Houston’s site. Her blog is reproduced at AIGA.org and you can read the whole article here.