Graphic Designer

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 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.
One can obtain an AAS, BA, BFA, MFA or an MPhil / 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.
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.
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:
 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).
 InDesign, CorelDRAW, or QuarkXPress make it possible to work with large multiple page layouts,
such as catalogs and booklets.
 Since InDesign, CorelDRAW, and QuarkXPress 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.
A web designer should understand how to work with XML, HTML, and basic web programming scripts. A
print designer should understand the processes involved in printing (including, notably, offset printing)
to be able to produce press-ready artwork.
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 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 andcultural norms of that audience in order to develop visual
solutions that are perceived as relevant, understandable and effective.
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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.