What Do Graphic Designers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Graphic Designers design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects. They also determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.

Other tasks include:

• Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
• Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
• Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
• Use computer software to generate new images.
• Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed.
• Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.

We asked Graphic Designers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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64% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 34% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Graphic Designers use computer software to generate new images. They key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.

A typical day for a Graphic Designer will also include:

• Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
• Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
• Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed.
• Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
• Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.

We asked some Graphic Designers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	83% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	28% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	62% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	10% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	28% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Graphic Designers also confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design. They may also study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Graphic Designers Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products. They might also Research new software or design concepts.

In addition, they Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.

To some Graphic Designers, it is also their responsibility to Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Graphic Designer, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm

http://www.aiga.org/

https://www.graphicartistsguild.org/

http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/