Graphic Designer: Pros and Cons of the Profession

A graphic designer is a unique specialist whose activity requires the use of not only creative, but also logical and analytical abilities. What are the features of this profession? What tasks does a graphic designer perform? What requirements should it meet? How much do representatives of this profession earn?

Graphic Designer - a specialist involved in the creation of visual compositions using tools and methods used in printing, painting, photo art, layout. In simple words, the main activity of the representative of this profession is to give the information (idea, message, concept) a certain visual appearance, accessible for perception and understanding by people around.

In fact, graphic designer is a conductor, an interpreter between the creator of the information message and the representative of the target audience for which it is intended. For this, the specialist applies not only the tools and methods used in the visual arts and printing, but also computer, digital technology and modern software.

Graphic designer is a specialist in demand in such areas as:

• development of internet projects;
• development of computer games;
• filmmaking;
• design services;
• information design and mass media;
• publishing and printing;
• advertising and marketing;
• public relations.

The end result of the work of a graphic designer is visual combination (object), containing the key idea of ​​the source information (ideas, messages). Moreover, each representative of the target audience, contemplating this combination or object, must clearly understand the information conveyed to him.

The work of a graphic designer has both its own specific advantages and disadvantages. One of the main advantages of the described profession, experts consider the demand. The advertising market (in this area, graphic designers are in the highest demand) at all times is in need of specialists who can think outside the box and find effective ways to solve the tasks.

The described profession is inextricably linked with continuous personal growth. It requires a person not only to tirelessly improve his creative (in particular, artistic) abilities, but also to constantly expand his horizons, master new knowledge and acquire skills. Given that the work of a graphic designer is closely related to computer and digital technologies, the specialist must be aware of the latest innovations and developments in the IT world.

Regular improvement of software, modernization of technical equipment, the appearance on the market of more and more advanced gadgets and devices - these and many other factors constantly stimulate the designer to personal growth and constant self-development. The development of new skills, abilities and areas associated with the main work, allow such a specialist to remain in demand and successful.. Another advantage of this profession is objective career opportunity. By constantly developing and improving in the field of his activity, mastering related professions related to graphic design, a specialist can significantly advance his career ladder and even take a leading position.

Among other advantages of the profession of graphic designer, experts note its unpredictability, diversity. Such work cannot be called monotonous, monosyllabic and boring. On the contrary, this field of activity constantly pushes a person to search for new outstanding solutions, makes his imagination and imagination work at full capacity.

Besides, The indisputable advantage of this profession is a rather high level of wages. So, according to the information presented in the job descriptions from employers, the average salary of a graphic designer in Moscow varies from 60 to 100 thousand rubles. In large metropolitan firms, its size can be 120-150 thousand rubles. In the regions of Russia, the average salary of a graphic designer ranges from 18 to 35 thousand rubles. Such an extensive range of wages in this profession is due to a number of factors, which include:

• territorial location of the place of work (city, region);
• age, fame and specialization of the company;
• work experience in this position, qualification and level of knowledge of a specialist.

Graphic designers themselves consider the disadvantages of the profession high competition in their field of activity. With the advent of the remote work market, this problem has become especially urgent.

A high level of intellectual workloads is another specific drawback inherent in the work of a graphic designer.. Since one cannot think and act in a stereotyped manner in this field of activity, a specialist is constantly forced to search for new non-standard solutions.This, in turn, creates additional stress, which can lead to emotional and creative burnout.

High intellectual and stressful loads, the need to observe strict deadlines and a huge number of requirements, a constant search for inspiration and original creative solutions - these and many other factors can negatively affect the psycho-emotional state of a specialist.

In addition, the work of a graphic designer over time can adversely affect the state of physical health. Recent medical research suggests that specialists involved in this field of activity most often suffer from diseases such as:

• violation of posture, curvature of the spine;
• osteochondrosis;
• diseases of the muscles and joints of the upper limbs;
• diseases of the organs of vision (myopia, cataract).

With all of the above features The profession of graphic designer is in the TOP of the most sought-after professions over the past few years. This area of ​​activity attracts creative and ambitious people who are striving for self-expression and self-realization.

Regardless of the industry in which the graphic designer is engaged (advertising, printing, publishing), the list of his duties is quite extensive. The scope of his main tasks includes the implementation of art and design work in accordance with the requirements of the customer. Based on the information received from the customer or immediate supervisor, the graphic designer develops and creates art or technical projects.

The list of responsibilities of a graphic designer may also include sketching and decoration of publications, design and reporting documentation. In addition, his duties may include:

• preparation of layouts of information materials (announcements, price lists, articles, releases);
• preparation of models of identifying materials (business cards, emblems, logos, letterheads, trademarks, corporate symbols);
• preparation of layouts of advertising materials and advertising media (booklets, brochures, posters, banners).

All actions related to work on the current project, graphic designer agrees in advance with the customer or his immediate supervisor. In large companies, a graphic designer can act as an intermediary between the management (customer) and a group of persons subordinate to him (assistants or assistants to the designer).

Also, the list of duties of a specialist may include:

• preparation of sketches and creation of illustrations (drawings, diagrams, schemes) for information materials;
• stylization of existing types of fonts;
• creating new types of fonts.

The volume and nature of work tasks, as well as the range of duties of a graphic designer, depend on the industry in which the specialist is engaged. Thus, the responsibilities of a graphic designer employed, for example, in an advertising agency, can be very different from the responsibilities of a specialist working in a publishing house.

The profession of a graphic designer requires from a person not only specific knowledge and skills, but also certain personal qualities. In some large organizations, the personal qualities of an employee are often valued above the existing level of knowledge and skill.

It is a mistake to believe that to work as a graphic designer, it is enough to have a diploma on specialized education and the ability to draw well. So, it is customary to attribute the following to the required knowledge and skills that a graphic designer should possess:

• knowledge of the methods of performing design work;
• knowledge of the basics of printing and typography;
• knowledge of the basics of advertising;
• knowledge of the basics of layout layouts;
• knowledge of the basics of coloristics and color theory;
• knowledge of the basics of psychology;
• perfect mastery of the technique of drawing;
• perfect knowledge of graphic editors (Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator, PageMaker, InDesign, Adobe Lightroom, After Effects, CorelDraw);
• the ability to use digital technology, professional tools and gadgets in work.

Despite the fact that in graphic design a significant part of the work is done using computer programs and digital gadgets, the specialist must be fluent in drawing technique.

Considering that the work of a graphic designer is associated with high intellectual loads and a continuous stream of diverse tasks, to the forefront are such personal qualities of a specialist as:

• organization;
• self-discipline;
• stress resistance;
• self-criticism;
• creative thinking, developed imagination and fantasy;
• desire for continuous self-development;
• lack of conflict and teamwork.

One of the important personal qualities that a graphic designer should possess, according to many employers, is developed intuition. In most cases, it is she who can quickly find the most simple and effective solution to the problem.

There are several ways to acquire the profession of graphic designer. One of the easiest to a specialized college or technical school immediately after graduation from grade 9 or 11. In Russia, training in this specialty is offered by secondary specialized educational institutions located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Astrakhan, Ulyanovsk, Yaroslavl, Saratov, Samara, Ufa and other cities. The average duration of studies is from 34 to 46 months.

For admission to college, an applicant will need to pass such items as:

• Russian language;
• mathematics;
• history or geography.

A mandatory test is also a creative contest. Usually, during this competition, commission members evaluate the artwork of applicants. In most colleges, applicants are invited to submit several of their best works to go through the competition.

Usually, applicants are invited to take exams in such subjects as:

• Russian language;
• mathematics;
• Informatics;
• physics;
• history;
• literature.

An integral part of the introductory phase is the passage of a creative competition. To participate in it, the applicant must submit to the commission at least 10 works on such topics as:

• picture;
• painting;
• composition.

Most institutions provide 2 main forms of training in the described specialty - full-time and part-time. Studying as a graphic designer at a university will take 4–5 years. At present, creative and ambitious people who intend to radically change their usual sphere of activity have a very real opportunity to learn remotely as a graphic designer. In self-mastering the nuances of this profession, paid and free online courses, subject literature and textbooks that can be studied in electronic libraries will provide significant help.

Career growth in graphic design depends on many factors, and first of all - from the talent and hard work of the specialist himself. Not every novice designer manages to find a good job right after graduation or college, but even a modest position in a little-known company can give a good start. The main tasks that a beginner faces in the early years of his work are in improving existing skills, acquiring new knowledge and constantly expanding the portfolio.

Under favorable circumstances, a graphic designer may eventually become a leading graphic designer, and later become an art director or creative director.

In the history of graphic design, many talented and extraordinary personalities are known who have made a tremendous contribution to the development of this professional industry. One of the most prominent figures in graphic design history is Leo Burnett is a cult personality of the twentieth century, a brilliant image maker and founder of the world famous advertising agency Leo Burnett Worldwide. Burnett was one of the first to propose the shortest and easiest way to create effective visual compositions, giving preference to lively and vibrant images and abandoning long boring slogans. Among his clients were such legendary companies as Marlboro, CocaCola, McDonalds, Pillsbury and WaltDisney.

Paula Cher is another iconic figure in the history of contemporary graphic design. She developed a catchy and recognizable style of the New York Public Theater, Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet. Cher is convinced that the main thing in the work of a graphic designer is his close, productive and direct interaction with the customer. The appearance of an intermediary in these relations, in her opinion, can distort the entire course of the project.

Tobias van Schneider is one of the outstanding modern graphic designers who creates not only beautiful, but also functional, useful things. His works are distinguished by striking conciseness, minimalistic, but recognizable design. His clients include such well-known brands as BMW, Sony, Toyota. Even such serious organizations as NASA and Google have resorted to cooperation with this talented specialist.