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 skills. What are the features of this profession? What tasks does a graphic designer do? What requirements should it meet? How much do representatives of this profession earn?

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

In fact, a graphic designer is a conductor, an interpreter between the creator of the informational 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 typography, but also computer and digital technology, and modern software.

A 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 a graphic designer's work is visual combination (object), containing the key idea of ​​the original 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 specific advantages and disadvantages. Experts believe that one of the main advantages of the described profession is the demand for... The advertising market (namely, in this area, graphic designers are in high demand) at all times has a need for specialists who are able to think outside the box and find effective ways to solve the assigned tasks.

The described profession is inextricably linked with constant personal growth. It requires from a person not only tireless improvement of creative (in particular, artistic) abilities, but also a constant expansion of horizons, mastering new knowledge and acquiring skills. Considering that the work of a graphic designer is closely related to computer and digital technology, a specialist must be aware of the latest innovations and events 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. Mastering new skills, abilities and areas associated with the main job, allow such a specialist to remain in demand and successful... Another advantage of this profession is objective career opportunity. By tirelessly developing and improving in his field of activity, mastering related professions related to graphic design, a specialist can, over time, significantly advance the career ladder and even take a leading position.

Among other advantages of the profession of a 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 fantasy work at full capacity.

Besides, the indisputable advantage of this profession is the rather high level of wages. So, according to the information provided in 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 for a graphic designer ranges from 18 to 35 thousand rubles. Such a wide 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, popularity and specialization of the company;
• work experience in this position, qualifications and level of knowledge of the specialist.

The disadvantages of the profession are the graphic designers themselves. 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 workload is another specific drawback inherent in the work of a graphic designer.... Since in this field of activity it is impossible to think and act in a stereotyped manner, the specialist is forced to constantly be in search of new non-standard solutions.This, in turn, creates additional stressors that can lead to emotional and creative burnout.

High intellectual and stressful loads, the need to comply with 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 psychoemotional state of a specialist.

In addition, working as a graphic designer can have a negative impact on your physical health over time. Recent medical research suggests that specialists employed in this field of activity most often suffer from such diseases as:

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

With all the above features the profession of a graphic designer has been in the TOP of the most demanded professions over the past few years. This field of activity attracts creative and ambitious people striving for self-expression and self-realization.

Regardless of the industry in which a graphic designer is employed (advertising, printing, publishing), the list of his duties is quite extensive. The scope of his main tasks includes the execution of decoration works in accordance with the requirements of the customer. Based on the information received from the customer or direct manager, the graphic designer develops and creates art or technical projects.

The list of duties of a graphic designer may also include drawing up sketches and decorating publications, design and reporting documentation. In addition, his duties may include:

• preparation of layouts of information materials (announcements, prices, articles, releases);
• preparation of layouts 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 with the customer or his immediate supervisor in advance. In large companies, a graphic designer can act as an intermediary between the management (customer) and a group of subordinate persons (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, diagrams) for information materials;
• stylization of already existing types of fonts;
• creation of new types of fonts.

The volume and nature of work tasks, as well as the range of job responsibilities of a graphic designer, depend on the industry in which the specialist is employed. Thus, the duties of a graphic designer employed, for example, in an advertising agency, can be very different from those 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 only to have a diploma of specialized education and the ability to draw well. So, it is customary to attribute the following to the mandatory knowledge and skills that a graphic designer must possess:

• knowledge of methods of performing art and design work;
• knowledge of the basics of printing and typography;
• knowledge of the basics of advertising organization;
• knowledge of the basics of layout layout;
• knowledge of the basics of color and color theory;
• knowledge of the basics of psychology;
• impeccable mastery of drawing technique;
• impeccable 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 with the help of computer programs and digital gadgets, the specialist must be fluent in the drawing technique.

Considering that the work of a graphic designer is associated with high intellectual workloads and a continuous stream of heterogeneous tasks, such personal qualities of a specialist as:

• organization;
• self-discipline;
• stress tolerance;
• self-criticism;
• creative thinking, developed imagination and fantasy;
• striving for constant self-development;
• conflict-free and the ability to work in a team.

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

There are several ways to acquire the profession of a graphic designer. One of the simplest involves admission 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 in other cities. The average length of study is 34 to 46 months.

To enter college, the applicant will need to pass such subjects as:

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

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

Usually, for admission to the university, applicants are invited to pass exams in such subjects as:

• Russian language;
• maths;
• computer science;
• physics;
• history;
• literature.

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

• drawing;
• painting;
• composition.

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

Career growth in graphic design depends on many factors and primarily - from the talent and hard work of the specialist himself... Not every aspiring designer is able to find a good job right after graduation from college 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 first years of his work are in improving existing skills, acquiring new knowledge and constantly expanding the portfolio.

Under favorable circumstances, a graphic designer can eventually become a lead graphic designer, and in the future, take the position of art director or creative director.

In the history of graphic design, there are many talented and extraordinary personalities who have made a tremendous contribution to the development of this professional industry. One of the most prominent figures in the history of graphic design 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, preferring lively and vivid images and abandoning long boring slogans. Among his clients were such legendary companies as Marlboro, CocaCola, McDonalds, Pillsbury and WaltDisney.

Paula Scher is another iconic figure in the history of modern graphic design. She has developed a catchy and recognizable style for the New York Public Theater, Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet. Cher is convinced that close, productive and direct interaction with the client is central to the work of a graphic designer. The emergence of a mediator in these relations, in her opinion, can distort the entire course of the project.

Tobias van Schneider is one of the foremost modern graphic designers who creates not only beautiful, but also functional, useful things. His works are distinguished by striking laconism, 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.