Description

Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this unit group. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely self-employed.

Job Titles

• 2D animation artist
• 2D animator
• 3D modeler
• Advertising designer
• Animated cartoon artist
• Cartoon film artist
• Cell animator
• Multimedia designer
• Package designer

Main Duties

• Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs
• Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication
• Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients’ objectives
• Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software
• Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design
• Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients’ communications needs
• Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers
• Coordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CDs and interactive terminals

Workplaces

• Advertising firms
• Establishments with advertising or communications departments
• Graphic design firms
• Multimedia production companies
• Self-employed

Work Environment

• Indoors, environmentally controlled

Physical Demands

• Sitting
• Standing
• Bending or twisting the body

Requirements

• A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning or completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required.
• Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
• In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators.
• Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.

Skills

• Coordinating
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Digital Literacy
• Equipment and Tool Selection

Abilities

• Colour Perception
• Fluency of Ideas
• Near Vision
• Spatial Visualization
• Arm-Hand Steadiness

Personal Attributes

• Creativity
• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Independence

Similar Occupations

• Painters, sculptors and other visual artists (53122)
• Graphic arts technicians (52111)
• Interior designers and interior decorators (52121)
• Advertising and Marketing managers (10022)

Source: OaSIS