Design artist: profession description, requirements and responsibilities

The profession of the artist for many centuries. Drawing people appeared in the Stone Age, but they began to receive rewards much later. At first, the artists were engaged exclusively in the visual arts, then they began to paint at home, create jewelry, clothes and so on. In modern life, the professions of fashion designers and designers are most in demand. The artist-designer is one of the most popular professions according to the conclusion of the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation.

An artist-designer is a very voluminous concept, because modern design includes a huge number of areas:

• clothes designer;
• graphic design;
• landscape design;
• ceramic artist, interior designer;
• graphic designer and so on.

Size and format in modern design are of little importance. A professional can create any product, from a postage stamp to huge signboards, sculptures, buildings. A designer today can take single orders, work in freelance or create nationwide for a millionth audience. A designer today must be able to not only create, but also sell, and sometimes teach. This profession is associated with visual content, its purpose is to create a concept that will be useful to people in different contexts.

One of the foundations of the profession is to accurately understand the desires of the client, the task that is set, and recreate the visualization depending on the type of design. Designers of several levels are distinguished:

• probationer intern with no work experience;
• a junior designer who has already passed the probationary period, but having little experience in practical work, the first level of competency at which knowledge of theory and basic skills is checked;
• designer - already has a portfolio, has experience of about 3 years;
• leading specialist - with good experience, can teach;
• art director - able to implement complex projects, high competence.

The word “design” is translated as an object that needs to be designed, that is, it is a visualization language that is used to create something. The artist-designer is a creative profession in which there is a place for creativity, its ideas.

The functions that a contemporary artist-designer performs are very diverse. This largely depends on the direction of work, the job description in each case is different. For example, a jewelry designer and a landscape artist have completely different responsibilities in the instructions. Perhaps, the only requirement that unites modern professionals is computer knowledge and the ability to work in appropriate programs.

According to the job description, the designer must deal with the design of various objects. Its task is to make objects more interesting, original. It is necessary to be able to take a fresh look at familiar things and convey your view to people. Regardless of specialization, the designer must be able to:

• develop concepts, generate ideas in graphic design, visually;
• create projects, posters, sketches, layouts;
• bring them to life.

For example, the task of a jewelry designer is to design a sketch for watches and jewelry made of precious metals. The duties of such a specialist include:

• idea generation;
• creation of a sketch on paper and electronic media;
• 3D model formation;
• supervision of the execution of the trial product.

There are a lot of common ground between designers and artists. All of them work on the principle of graphics, but artists create for the sake of self-expression, generate only their ideas. Designers solve practical problems, become intermediaries between the audience for whom the products are intended and the customer. This profession is in demand and brings good profits, but also requires the possession of certain qualities. Not everyone can become a good designer.

The contemporary artist-designer is at the junction between creativity, digital and computer technology. But knowledge of technology and programs is not enough, the most important thing is to create an idea and convey it to the audience in an understandable way. You must be ready to constantly evolve, learn new methods, concepts, be ready to grow. Regardless of specialization, designers do not work in a vacuum space, they must be aware of everything that appears in a particular area.

Among the main qualities that a designer should possess, there are several.

• Observation. It is necessary to be able to see and save images, decisions, record, fix them in memory. One cannot improve without observation.
• The ability to listen. Only active, interested listening can help you understand what people really want. But ego and confidence in their impeccability will only hurt.
• Love for the subject. A costume designer must adore clothes, a landscape designer should love nature and gardens.
• Learning ability. This has already been written - a professional is always in search of new ideas and solutions, and this is impossible without development.
• Understanding of the context. The task of the designer is to give meaning to things, to determine significance, to understand their relevance.
• Decision making skills. Without this, you will stagnate and not be able to solve problems.
• Sociability. You need to be able to communicate, write, communicate information, advertise yourself, work in a team.
• Creativity. This quality is considered by many to be the most important and for good reason. A professional designer is not dependent on stereotypes, imposed opinions, he is always looking for his own creative path.

In addition to practical experience and personal qualities, basic knowledge of the profession, its theory is necessary. You must understand the principles of design, regardless of the specialization in which the work is planned. Educational institutions can be traditional, distance, higher and secondary qualifications.

In addition to the system of universities and colleges, there are now a huge number of training seminars, courses, and trainings where you can learn the basics of the profession, gain new skills and knowledge, and retrain. In addition to the history and basics of design, the basics of composition, visualization methods, color theory, typography, and the design process are studied.