Tell me about it
Graphic designers use their creative skills to turn words and pictures into attractive and arresting visual images. They may be working on a magazine cover or layout, an advertisement, a book cover, a poster, a catalogue or a corporate identity.

They usually work to a 'brief', or set of instructions, and may be expected to submit several designs for the client to consider. Then they have to decide on the right media, materials and styles to suit the project, ensuring they can work within the budget and to the deadline.

Once the final design is approved, the designer prepares detailed instructions for the design to be produced. This may be specifying typefaces, sizes and colours for a printer or by providing the printer with the designs on disk.

Entry level
Although an excellent portfolio of design work could be enough to get a job, there is so much competition that qualifications are usually an advantage. Courses leading to qualifications in design are widely available at universities and art colleges throughout the UK and it is also possible to move into graphics from other types of art and design courses.

In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, you would probably take a one-year general foundation course in art and design before starting your degree course. Typical entry requirements are five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), and sometimes A levels/H grades. In Scotland, degree courses usually last four years, and there is a general year rather than an art foundation year.

You could continue with a postgraduate degree or diploma in a specialised area of graphic design. Entry is usually with a first degree in a related subject.

Making the grade
Some employers provide formal structured training on the job, with new recruits working alongside senior designers. However, most employers expect you to have learned the necessary skills at college or university and to be prepared to develop that expertise in the workplace.

As design packages are being continually updated, you would normally be expected to keep up to date with changes and to refresh yourr skills, attending internal or external courses.

Personal qualities
You would need to be creative and imaginative, able to work to a set brief, think around problems and come up with practical solutions within a deadline, and to be skilled at using industry standard computer design packages.

Drawing ability would be useful and you must have a knowledge of printing techniques and typography. You should have a good eye for colour and you would need to be good at explaining your ideas to others. It would help to have an understanding of multimedia and website design skills.

Looking ahead
Many graphic designers work for advertising, design or communications agencies, but they may also work within in-house design teams for almost every sector, including local councils, colleges, publishers, industry, multimedia production companies and charities. There is stiff competition for jobs, with more applicants than vacancies.

Many designers are self-employed, working on a contract or casual basis.

You could become a specialist in an area such as typography, illustration, packaging, corporate identity or magazine design. There is currently a demand for designers specialising in television and video graphics, and in digital/new media.

Graphic designers who work in a medium-sized or large agency may progress to senior designer or art director or to management positions. However, smaller agencies and in-house studios offer fewer opportunities for promotion. You may find that you need to change employer to gain promotion or broaden your experience.

Alternative suggestions
You might also consider training as an advertising art director, advertising creative copywriter, artist/illustrator, multimedia designer, photographer or webmaster.

Take-home pay
You might expect to start out earning around £15,000 to £18,000 a year. This can rise with experience to around £25,000 to £40,000, and to £50,000 and above if you become a senior graphic designer.

Effects
Graphic designers normally work Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, although it is very common to work longer hours when there is a deadline to meet. Part-time work is possible, and many graphic designers do freelance or contract assignments.

You would normally be based in a studio or office, but you may spend some time visiting clients and printers. You would probably spend long periods sitting down at a drawing desk or computer.

Sources of information
Chartered Society of Designers: www.csd.org.uk
Design Business Association: www.dba.org.uk
Design Council: www.design-council.org.uk
Your Creative Future: www.yourcreativefuture.org

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