Creative Graphic Designer — Visual Storyteller

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Overview

A graphic designer is a creative professional who creates visual imagery to communicate ideas and messages, such as in advertising and marketing. Their mission is to inspire, engage and educate the audience through visually compelling artwork, logos and other images.

Graphic design requires a blend of art and technology. Graphic designers may do their work by hand or use sophisticated visual design software. They collaborate closely with other professionals, such as writers and editors, to create the ideal look and layout for each project.

A graphic designer’s responsibilities often follow an established project lifecycle, from planning to design to revisions. A graphic designer may juggle multiple projects for various clients. They must strive to satisfy their clients while communicating a specific message through visual imagery.

Some main job tasks include:

Planning

Graphic designers will plan the scope and requirements for a project.

Designing

They will design logos, illustrations and other visual imagery.

Selecting

These designers choose appropriate colors, typefaces and layouts.

Presenting

Graphic designers will present designs and concepts to clients or art directors.

Revising

They will often revise designs according to requests.

Reviewing

Doing a final review of all work before publication is critical in graphic design.

Education

When learning how to become a graphic designer, it’s important to keep in mind that there are no universal requirements. Employers’ requirements and preferences for graphic design hires will vary. However, it’s common for graphic designers to need a related bachelor’s degree that includes technical training in design. Graphic designers are expected to have a portfolio showcasing their creativity and technical abilities.

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High School Diploma

Meeting the graphic designer education requirements starts with a high school diploma. In high school, it’s helpful to take as many courses as possible in art, particularly drawing and painting, as well as computer applications, desktop publishing, graphic design and web page design. If you aspire to become a freelance graphic designer with your own business, consider taking classes in accounting, business and entrepreneurship.

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College Degree

While there are no universal degree requirements to become a graphic designer, it may be ideal to earn a degree that focuses on digital design and graphic design. A fine arts degree may also translate to the graphic design field if the graduate pursues additional technical training in graphic design. During a digital arts program , students can begin building a professional portfolio of their work.

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Internships

Internships can provide useful experience for graphic design students or recent graduates. These positions can enable students to see the design process from start to finish and continue building their portfolio. (See disclaimer 2 )

Professional Certifications

Professional certifications are not mandatory for graphic design, but may prove helpful in the job marketplace. Graphic designers can obtain certifications from various design software products to demonstrate proficiency with those technical tools. (See disclaimer 2 )

An aspiring graphic designer needs a blend of creative and technical skills. The ideal degree program will teach both through didactic coursework and hands-on, immersive practice opportunities. Professionals can enter this field from a variety of academic backgrounds, but a strong focus on digital and graphic design is ideal. (See disclaimer 2 )

A degree…