Graphic Designers and Illustrators - What They Do

Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this unit group. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely self-employed.

Job duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Graphic designers

Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs
Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication
Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients' objectives
Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software
Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design
Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients' communications needs
Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers
Co-ordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CDs and interactive terminals
Co-ordinate sub-contracting
Work in a multidisciplinary environment
Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians.
Co-ordinate with print production (check out some examples at Canvas Prints)

Illustrators

Consult with clients to determine the nature and content of illustrations in order to meet their communications needs
Develop and produce realistic or representational sketches and final illustrations, by hand or using computer-assisted design (CAD) software, for printed materials such as books, magazines, packaging, greeting cards and stationery
Assist in developing storyboards for electronic productions such as multimedia, interactive and digital products and television advertising and productions
Produce 2-D and 3-D animated drawings or computer illustrations
May adapt existing illustrations.
Illustrators may specialize in a particular field such as illustrations for children, advertising, editorials, humour, or medical, scientific or technical illustration, or multimedia design.

Job titles

bank note designer
3D animation artist
graphic artist
graphic designer
illustrator
layout designer
medical illustrator
scientific illustrator
cartoonist
graphic designer - multimedia
multimedia illustrator
advertising designer
animator - animated films
commercial artist

Employment Requirements

This is what you typically need for the job:

A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning or Completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required.
Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators.
Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.

Essential Skills

Management