Mastery #3: Enterprise Report

Graphic Designers all over the city and all over the world create huge projects that are viewed by many people. Their creations range from book covers and websites to billboards and company logos.

According to the United States Department of Labor, “Graphic designers create visual concepts, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.”

Jessica Walsh is a graphic designer who is well-known and successful in her field. She teaches design at the School of Visual Arts and is a partner of the design company Sagmeister & Walsh. Walsh explained that, to be a successful and unique graphic designer, one must be creative and willing to experiment with different things. “The heart of much of what I do is discovery through experimentation. Often the best ideas come out of spontaneous play.”

Walsh then explained the qualities companies are looking for in a graphic designer. “I think there are certain traits that help a designer, like having passion, persistence, curiosity, flexibility, and some sort of drive or hunger which compels you to put in the time and handwork.” Being a graphic designer is not only about the various talents one may have, but to do well in any career, one must feel entitled to continue working. They must want to work and do their best.

Jessica also described the many tasks she does in her studio as a graphic designer. “Our studio works on a wide range of design from branding, commercials, advertising, book design, illustrations, products, packaging, to installations and exhibitions.” This long list of tasks is what many of today’s graphic designers do. Most if not all of these jobs involve using technology. These many tasks are to promote and advertise a company’s product.

Society’s advances in technology have and will affect the lives of graphic designers. Today’s society is highly invested in electronics and using the internet. This is where the job of a graphic designer comes in. A graphic designer is able to provide meaningful images and advertisements on the internet, which is where the public consumes the majority of its media.
The advances in technology are one reason why future graphic designers should know how to use it and how to move with its advances, according to Marc Stein, a web designer who recently created a web site for the US Department of Health. “To be a graphic designer, you must be comfortable with technology.” Stein also added that being a graphic designer is not an easy task. “Becoming a great graphic designer is really hard work and requires a lot of determination and focus along with talent.”

Chris DiSanto, an interactive designer, said that in the past designers presented their unique style of art through printmaking. Nowadays, society is more digitally involved, causing a change in how designers present their art as well. “A designer must be proactive and learn the skills necessary to deliver designs for digital media as well,” says DiSanto.

The role of a graphic designer benefits publishing and advertising companies. They can advertise a company’s services and/or products not only on physical objects but online as well. A graphic designer can also go further and use the images they create to send out a bigger message and change the world. These are the reasons why graphic design is in high demand especially today and will continue to be in the future as shown from various sources.

“Graphic Designers are in-demand across the United States,” according to Picture Perfect Hiring: Demand for Graphic Designers Grows to New Highs, an article by wantedanalytics.com.

The article goes on to say that, “In August, more than 16,000 jobs were advertised online for Graphic Designers in the United States, according to WANTED Analytics, the leading source of real-time business intelligence for the talent marketplace.”

The United States Department of Labor says that the percentage of graphic designers is expected to increase 12.9% from now to 2018. That will be a total of 124,800 job openings due to growth and replacement needs. This information shows that not only is graphic design in high demand today, but it is expected to increase even more because of the advances in society.

DiSanto said, “Designers of all disciplines are in high demand today due to the ubiquity of technology in our lives.” DiSanto went on to say, “Companies understand that their product, be it an app or website, need the attention of a trained eye to ensure that their product communicates their message effectively and that the experience is tailored for the user as well.”

All types of designers are in demand presently because today’s society is highly involved with technology and companies know this. They then use this information to communicate different messages through technology such as apps or websites online.

Stein said that Graphic design is in high demand today because the overall quality of a designer’s product is what differentiates one company’s advertisements from another, therefore bringing one company more customers than another. “The artistic value of a good design may be the only thing that makes one product better than another.” Designers in general enhance a product to make it appeal more to customers, or in the case of graphic designers, viewers.

Stein continued on to say that advances in technology, such as the internet, are effecting graphic designers. “[The Internet is] a very good thing for graphic designers! The Internet is totally a visual medium, in all its various incarnations.” The internet allows the work of graphic designers to be viewed by many people, being the sole reason why it is beneficial that the internet was developed and advanced.

Students who would like to become a graphic designer and are graduating from college can’t become great designers just with the help of school. They will need tips and suggestions from experienced designers to ensure they do well.

With the advances in technology, Stein advises students to also study technology in school. “I would also encourage these students to explore technology along with visual design.”

DiSanto suggested that to become a desired designer experience is key. “Although education is important for this field, on-the-job experience is valued more.”