Graphic Designers Classification While Many

Graphic Designers Classification

While many people might feel that they know or understand what a graphic designer does, few people will be able to articulate the full scope and depth of this position. Various experts and institutions have worked hard to aptly define this profession, and the reality, is that the profession is aptly defined by a melee of definitions. "The Graphic Designer is a broad classification with three position skill levels. Positions in this classification are responsible for the artistic and graphic design and creation of print and multimedia materials. Incumbents use both design and production elements to organize ideas visually to convey the desired impact and message to the target audience" (calstate.edu). This aspect of the definition is absolutely correct: one of the main objectives of the sheer function of the graphic designer is to impact the spectator with their stylistic choices. On the other hand, other experts define a graphic designer as a professional who engages in a "communication language that combines typography, illustration, photography and printing for the purpose of transmitting a given message, which may be of a varied nature, such as institutional, commercial, political…" (Consuegra, 280). In reality, a hybrid of both definitions truly is the most accurate. Graphic designers above all communicate and to communicate effectively, they really need to be able to move the viewer into feeling something when their work is looked at.

However, the definitions, separate and combined, of a graphic designer are indeed broad and that's because within this specific field are a range of classifications. First of all, there are the graphic designers who work in publishing and entertainment. This type of graphic designers work in a large selection of jobs, often ones which require print expertise, developing graphics for the web and flash animation (trade-schools.net). For print companies, a graphic designer will need to be able to engage in heavy typesetting jobs, layout work, photo manipulation and other tasks (trade-schools.net). "In the entertainment sector, television and film companies employ graphic designers to produce on-screen graphics, including motion graphics for credit and title sequences. Designers are also often responsible for creating printed and Web-based promotional materials" (trade-schools.net).

Another classification of graphic designers are the ones that work for advertising agencies. Places like this are generally fun to work, though they can be extremely demanding as the client have high expectations and this can put a strain on everyone who works for the company (trade-schools.net). Graphic designers have to offer up creative solutions for brand strategies, design, production and media buying services for all forms of media, forcing such designers to be able to work on a wide range of projects (trade-schools.net). These types of graphic designers often have very fulfilling, but very demanding jobs, working long hours per week.

Other graphic designers work at design studios. These designers generally focus upon design and visual brand strategies and create "logos, brochures and packaging, design studios generally provide such opportunities in abundance. They typically provide clients with creative solutions for both print and the Web" (trade-schools.net). The next types of graphic designers are those who work for companies which have nothing to do with creativity or the arts.

These companies are usually large and are ones who use their own in-house marketing and communications departments. There, the graphic designers generally help in the creation of things like, "brochures, promotional displays, corporate annual reports, catalogs, training materials and, sometimes, advertising campaigns" (trade-schools.net). These graphic designers are different from others in that they only work for one client, so they can have a clear understanding of the brand and needs (trade-schools.net).

The final type of graphic designers are those who work freelance. These designers pick their projects and set their own schedule (trade-schools.net). However, these types of designers don't always have steady income, and it might be difficult to engage in steady growth; these designers might find themselves too readily working on small projects for too long. "Self-employed designers also have the expense of keeping their computers and software packages up-to-date, networking to find new clients and handling business administration tasks. it's for these reasons that many graphic designers work for an employer full time -- moonlighting as a freelancer when they want some extra variety -- or combine their freelance work with a part-time job" (trade-schools.net).