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Graphic Designer
Graphic design is a form of visual communication essential in the marketing of products and services to the consumer. The work of the graphic designer is always geared to the needs of the industry, and includes such tasks as designing annual reports and magazines, posters and books, product packaging and labels, as well as advertisements.
The graphic designer aims to develop a unique and recognizable identity for a product, service, organization or idea. Their services are required whenever an advertisement goes into print in newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, leaflets, brochures, posters, show cards, package designs, signage or logos.
Graphic designers attempt to transmit specific messages by means of appropriate visual material. A message may be aimed at projecting a certain image of an organization, transmitting information or promoting a service or product, and should be based on careful market research.
Graphic designers are also involved in the production of film and television advertisements, in the illustration of books and articles, in layouts and in the design of book covers, calendars, labels, wrappers, letterheads and trademarks.
The designing of the corporate identity of an organization is one of the many interesting facets of the designer's work. This may entail the creation or modification of a "logo", which is a single, visually dominating form symbolising the characteristics, nature or name of the organization or business. This promotes a strong visual image of an organization.
In order to produce a design that reflects general attitude, choice and taste, graphic designers require thorough knowledge of the market. Ideas need to be continually adapted and modernized in order to keep up with, or be ahead of, market trends.
Areas of specialization for graphic designers depend on the type of work, for example, rendering artist, layout artist, lettering artist, fashion illustrator, book illustrator, freelance illustrator, and/or specifically on the type of employer, for example, advertising agency, packaging manufacturer and publisher.
Satisfying Aspects
- the opportunity to use your artistic ability at work
- working on a variety of projects
- the wide variety of specialities available
Demanding aspects
- working under pressure
- having to revise your work to meet the demands of clients
- working on dull or uninspiring projects until one becomes established
Requirements
A graphic designer should:
- be imaginative, creative and artistic;
- have an interest in drawing;
- have colour sense, depth perception and balance;
- have good eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity;
- have the ability to advise people persuasively without offending them;
- have good reasoning and communication ability;
- have a knowledge of business and products;
- have good eyesight;
- have the ability to comprehend abstract ideas and translate them into tangible products.
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Visual Arts, Computer Applications, Information Technology, Engineering and Graphic Design, History
Training
Degree: The BA (Fine Arts) is offered at all universities except UL. The duration of the course is 4 years of full-time study.
Diploma: N.Dip: Graphic Design. The duration of the course is 3 years, and it includes specific training in advertising campaigns and design for corporate image - CUT, CPUT, DUT, TUT, NMMU, VUT.
Certificate: FET?Colleges eg Port Elizabeth, S W Gauteng.
Various private colleges, such as The Design School, Design Centre, Intec, Inscape Design College and others, also offer comprehensive Graphic Design Diplomas.
Many institutions select students by asking them to submit a portfolio, attend an interview or pass an entrance examination of a practical nature.
Employer
- advertising agencies
- advertising or marketing departments of large organizations
- printing and publishing firms
- in-house studios of large firms, such as newspapers
- graphic design firms
- industrial companies
- educational institutions
- government departments
- manufacturers and packaging firms
- self-employment on a freelance basis, acting as consultant to larger firms
Contact
Artslink.co.za
P O Box 809
Houghton, 2041
Tel: 082 230 CALL Tel: 082 230 2255
Fax: (011) 388-1045
E-mail: info@artslink.co.za
www.artslink.co.za
Design South Africa
P O Box 84288
Greenside, 2034
Tel: (011) 958-0972 Fax: 0865 096 444
E-mail : design.south.africa@mweb.co.za
www.dsa.org.za