Graphic design offers a wide variety of career options as the skills involved are highly transferable. These professionals are responsible for enhancing the visual impact of reports, publications, advertising, commercials, videos, posters and digital media. Working on computers with specialized software programs, they use images, print styles and visual effects to communicate their message clearly and persuasively.
Overview
Specific examples of the work done by desktop publishers range from designing corporate logos and letterhead, to creating store counter displays, banners and posters, to designing titles, credits and graphics for film and television. In graphic designing you work closely and extensively with your clients to create a product that is both visually appealing and able to fulfill the clients’ requirements. From estimating the cost of materials and time needed to complete the project to determining the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect, the ability to listen to and understand your clients’ vision is essential to your success.
Typical Duties
Graphic designers perform some or all of the following 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
Co-ordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CD-ROMs, interactive terminals, etc.
Co-ordinate sub-contracting
Work in a multidisciplinary environment
Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians
Jobs and Careers
Sample Job Titles
Automotive painter
Automotive painter apprentice
Painter motor vehicle repair
Companies and Sectors
Dealerships
Independent garages
Specialty repair shops
Education and Training
HOW TO JOIN THIS FIELD
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.
For a professional interview process, a portfolio is often required to showcase alongside a resumé.
INDIGENOUS AND REMOTE CONSIDERATIONS
Visual arts are highly valued in many Canadian Indigenous communities and most communities have skilled artists and designers in multiple mediums.
Although with significant improvements currently underway to internet connections in Indigenous and remote communities, careers in this field become more viable and are likely to become more so in years to come.
Competition Resources
2023 National Competition Contest Description_Secondary
2023 National Competition Contest Description_Post Secondary