Graphic designer (Grafisch vormgever)
Information on this skill...
A graphic designer is a creative person who works within the graphic sector. In short, we can best describe the work of a graphic designer as taking care of the graphic design of printed matter such as magazines, books, leaflets and posters. A graphic designer can also be responsible for designing and creating the graphic design of websites. In that case, a graphic designer can also be regarded as a web designer. Graphic design no longer only relates to printed media, because the internet is just as important as a graphic designer. A graphic designer designs and determines, among other things, the house style, layout and typography of advertisements, magazines, newspapers, books and brochures. In short, one could also say that a graphic designer deals with design. It is therefore the graphic designer who, in consultation with the client, takes care of the design until a final result. In design one can think of the font size, photos, illustrations and use of color. The profession of graphic designer can be regarded as an important profession, because graphic design also relates to websites. A good design of websites will contribute to the purpose of the website. Graphic design is just as important as a well-functioning website, because the graphic design will largely determine whether visitors stick to a website. For example, it is also the graphic designer who will determine the house style and logo of websites and companies. The profession of graphic designer is a creative profession in which technical knowledge and ICT knowledge are very important.
A graphic designer is therefore working within the graphic sector and in most cases can also be regarded as a web designer. In the Netherlands there are quite a lot of independent entrepreneurs who work as graphic designers. An independently working graphic designer can only focus on design, but in general a graphic designer also performs other activities such as programming. This can differ per graphic designer, because the design can also be called a real specialization, in which creativity plays an important role. A graphic designer has to take into account quite a few different things at the beginning of an assignment, such as: which target group should be reached, what does the customer want to reach and what is the financial budget of the customer. During the design phase, a graphic designer will regularly consult with the client about the progress of the design. As a graphic designer, you can be responsible for various design activities. Think, for example, of designing a corporate identity or editing images that are used for print media or online media. The profession of graphic designer can be called a broad profession, in which you can be responsible for various types of graphic design.
GRAPHIC DESIGN WEBSITES
Today, designers are more indispensable than ever, because a graphic designer can also be responsible for graphic design websites. Making a website work technically well is just one thing. It is the graphic designer who has to provide a new website with a good and beautiful graphic design. As described earlier, it is conceivable that a graphic designer is also responsible for programming work as a programmer, but this does not always have to be the case. If a graphic designer performs a lot of online work for websites, he or she can also be classified as a web designer. A graphic designer may also be responsible for designing and creating graphic design for online advertising. Another name for graphic designer within ICT can also be front-end developer.
DESIGNING ADVERTISING
As a graphic designer, you do not only have to deal with the graphic design of advertisements or websites. Consider, for example, the design and creation of infographics, which may be provided with drawn images. When it comes to offline advertising, a designer may, for example, be responsible for making graphic designs for billboards that are placed on the façade of shops. Depending on the assignment, it is conceivable that a graphic designer also has to deal with market research. Graphic design therefore also relates to other activities.
Graphic designer is more than just making a good layout. In addition, in some cases you can also be responsible for graphic design of printed matter. Think of the design of printed matter such as leaflets or magazines. The conception and development of a corporate identity and logo is also common. Depending on the employer, you may also be dealing with an art director. An art director is again responsible for coming up with the visual part.
WHAT DOES A GRAPHIC DESIGNER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A GRAPHIC DESIGNER
In order to be able to work as a graphic designer, there are various courses, which can be followed at both MBO level and HBO level. The MBO graphic designer course is a course at level four and is perfectly suitable as a preliminary course for the Hbo study Communication & Multimedia Design (CMD). This course can also be followed part-time. The training to become a graphic designer can be called fairly heavy. The first years of the programme you are mainly engaged in drawing, sculpture and photography. At the end of each year, it will be checked whether there is sufficient progress to move on to the next year. If this is not the case, there is a chance that the training will have to be stopped. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER CAN BE EMPLOYED
As a graphic designer, you generally work for advertising agencies, publishers, marketing agencies or other types of internet entrepreneurs. In addition, it is conceivable that a graphic designer works as an entrepreneur. Nowadays there are many designers working as entrepreneurs, who can work for different clients. In some cases, a graphic designer can also be regarded as a website builder. In that case, a designer is responsible for more work than just designing websites. Which activities a graphic designer will perform exactly can differ per graphic designer.
COMPETENCES GRAPHIC DESIGNER
The most important competence as a graphic designer is creativity, because you will always have to come up with new catchy designs. Graphic design requires the necessary creativity and technical knowledge of the digital media. In addition, it is of course important that you have sufficient knowledge of computers and the various software programs that you will use during your work. As a graphic designer, you have to deal a lot with customers who have certain wishes. Possessing good communication skills is therefore very important as a graphic designer. If you work as an independent entrepreneur, you will also have to be commercial. Because there is a lot of competition among the designers, it is important that you network, to increase your chances as an entrepreneur.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER
The labour market for graphic designers is very good. However, it is important to distinguish yourself from other designers, because there are many independents to be found as graphic designers. But even a job in paid employment is usually no problem with the right training. Due to the growing IT market, the demand for designers will only increase. The career opportunities as a graphic designer are highly dependent on your employer and your own efforts. But of course, starting your own business can also be seen as growing. However, it can be important to offer more services than just designing, so that you can win more assignments. In addition to designing, think of building a website.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY GRAPHIC DESIGNER
As a graphic designer, you are usually covered by the collective labour agreement for graphic media, in which all employment conditions are regulated. A graphic designer with a bachelor's degree will usually earn a salary between 1800 and 3500 euros gross per month, depending on age, education and responsibilities. A graphic designer who works as an independent entrepreneur can usually earn more than in paid employment. However, it is important to win enough orders, which can sometimes be difficult due to the high competition on the market. Most designers work with fixed contract sums and not per hour.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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