Digital Technicians & Graphic Designers
Digital Techniciansare sometimes still referred to as Graphic Designers or Graphic Artists. These individuals plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They decide the most effective way of getting a message across in print, electronic, and other media using a variety of methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques.
Graphic Designers develop the overall layout and production design of product specifications, magazines, journals, corporate reports, and many other publications. They also produce promotional displays, packaging, and marketing brochures for products and services, design distinctive logos for products and businesses, and develop signs and signage systems—called environmental graphics—for business and government. An increasing number of Graphic Designers also are developing material for Internet Web pages, interactive media, and multimedia projects. Graphic Designers also may produce the credits that appear before and after television programs and movies.
Graphic Designers prepare sketches or layouts—by hand or with the aid of a computer—to illustrate the vision for the design. They select colors, sound, artwork, photography, animation, style of type, and other visual elements for the design. Designers also select the size and arrangement of the different elements on the page or screen. They also may create graphs and charts from data for use in publications, and often consult with copywriters on any text that may accompany the visual part of the design. Designers then present the completed design to their clients or art or creative director for approval. In printing and publishing firms, graphic designers also may assist the printers by selecting the type of paper and ink for the publication and reviewing the mock-up design for errors before final publication.
Graphic Designers use a variety of graphics and layout computer software to assist in their designs. Designers creating Web pages or other interactive media designs also will use computer animation and programming packages. Computer software programs allow ease and flexibility in exploring a greater number of design alternatives, thus reducing design costs and cutting the time it takes to deliver a product to market.
Graphic Designers sometimes supervise assistants who carry out their creations. Designers who run their own businesses also may devote a considerable amount of time to developing new business contacts, examining equipment and space needs, and performing administrative tasks, such as reviewing catalogues and ordering samples. The need for up-to-date computer and communications equipment is an ongoing consideration for graphic designers.
