Graphics Designer 101

A graphic designer, or graphic artist as they are also known, is a person who places together images or motion graphics (or both) with typography in order to produce their work. They will primarily create such work for printed, published or electronic forms of media (newspapers, magazines, TV, film, internet) for use in advertising.

However, there are some graphics designers whose work makes them responsible for illustration, typesetting and web design. But as these are speciality subjects within the field of graphic design, only someone who has taken training in this particular field will work on such projects as these.

The main responsibility of a graphic designer is to present information in such a way that, not only can it be easily accessed, but also it looks pleasing to the eye.

Most of the work you will see done by graphics designers is that which they produce for their clients in order to promote, publicise or advertise a certain product, service or topic.

Although there are a lot of graphic designers today who have obtained their degrees through going to college, or one of the many credited trade schools, there are others who have not.In fact, in some cases, there are businesses where a degree is not considered to be essential, and these positions are filled by those people who have been in the business for a number of years, and so have vast amounts of experience.

But what is essential if you wish to get on as graphics designer, is to produce a good portfolio. It is this portfolio which will show off your talents to their fullest, and will normally require that you update and change things within it throughout the rest of your career.

Today, most portfolios compared to 20 years ago have now been digitized, and so will often be available to prospective clients either through the internet, on a CD or a DVD. Whereas 20 years ago, a graphics designer would have had to carry all their work around in either a big black book or binder. So as you can see, with the invention of the computer and the way technology is progressing, so does everything else, including the role of the graphics designer.

Through this book, we will show you what you will need to do if you wish to take up a career in graphics designing.