This week’s career memes revisit graphic designers, the professionals tasked with creating design solutions with visual impact.
The work of a graphic designer usually begins with a brief from a client, creative director, or account manager, calling upon him or her to create a design for any variety of material, such as ads, books, posters, displays, websites, magazines, product packaging and communications materials.
A graphic designer then develops creative ideas and concepts, and, working to design principles, selects the appropriate style and media to meet the client’s goals.
Skills a graphic designer would possess include creativity, time management, good communication, and up-to-date knowledge of relevant software, such as Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.
Many colleges offer programmes in graphic design, and graphic designers can go to work for studios, companies, and even on a freelance basis.
In Ireland, a graphic designer can expect to earn an average annual salary of €28,215, according to PayScale.com.
