As kids, we all want to be doctors, firefighters and princesses. Then we grow up to find out most of the best jobs are things we’ve never heard of. It can be difficult to make sense of the myriad of design jobs available. Here, we decode some of the common positions you’ll encounter.
the OG
Graphic Designer
Most jobs you see will be some variation of this – Junior Designer, Senior Designer, or just Graphic Designer straight-up. Many design positions include a wide variety of design work, but not all, so before you take a position it’s often good to ask what your work there will consist of. Some agencies do everything, but many focus intensely on web, identity, print, or advertising. It’s good – especially in the beginning – to develop a working knowledge of all specialties, but it’s also good to know where your skills apply best if you want to focus on your passions later. If you’re a talented artist, you may want to focus on print or advertising jobs where your skills may more readily apply. If you love coding, it appears this internet thing is here to stay. Here’s an sample of some – though not all - of the more specific opportunities you may come across, under the “graphic designer” umbrellas.
Web Designer
Pretty clear amirite? Web designers do primarily websites and apps. You’ll work most closely with developers and UX/UI designers. A working knowledge of code isn’t essential but definitely helps.
Brand Identity Designer
Brand identity designers create a brand’s “look” through logos, colors, fonts, patterns, photography, or any other visual cue. They often work closely with the client, and should be good at reading people and situations.
Ad Designer
Generally called “graphic designer,” ad agency jobs are your chance to get your Mad Men on. This work is fun and conceptual, especially at small agencies with less bureaucracy. Comfort with copywriting is very helpful.
Packaging Designer
There’s nothing more satisfying than being able to buy your work at the store. This work lets you explore texture and shape, beyond just simple graphics. A strong knowledge of print and dielines is essential.
The Spinoffs
Art Director
If you like concept work, this is your job. Less nitty gritty (although let’s be real, it’s all pretty nitty gritty), you deal in the big picture and set the tone for the project at large. This requires a lot of brainstorming and creative problem solving, so it can be very frustrating, but is always extremely rewarding. Usually art directors put in a few years as a junior or mid-level designer first, though not always.
UX Designer
UX, is the study of how a design can be set up to optimize user experience. UX designers work primarily on websites and apps, and generally determine the layout, which has been set up to maximize a site’s goals, like readability, profitability, or fun. UX design is very closely related to economic psychology, and new research is always coming out on how to better set up design. So while continual learning is imperative for all designers, reading is especially essential here. There is usually a lot of back and forth between UX designers and graphic designers.
Production Designer
Pretty much the opposite of an art director, production designers take a look that has already been created, adapt it for other uses, and prepare it for production. For example, if a poster has been created, a production designer may rework it for a postcard, and prepare the files to print flawlessly. Best suited to the extremely detail-oriented, production designers need to have an impeccable knowledge of print preparation and techniques.
Creative Director
Generally one of the most experienced people on the team, a creative director oversees the entire vision for a project. Kind of like an art director on steroids, creative directors will usually oversee copywriting, photography, social media, illustration, music, or any other potential creative aspect of a project, to ensure that the elements are united toward a common look and strategy. This position requires a wide range of passions, and many years of design and art direction work.
adjacent professions
As you work your way through the world of graphic design, you will work closely with a lot of other specialists. While people in these positions don’t always have design knowledge, it’s great when they do. Likewise, it’s best to have a good working understanding of their jobs to help you work together, and make you more marketable to potential employers. You may even find yourself drawn to one of these positions longterm.
Developer
Known informally as “coders,” developers take your website design and make it into a working thing. Some agencies have developers who also design and vice versa. There are many subcategories within development, but that’s for another site.
Photographer/Videographer
This one’s pretty straightforward. It’s good to have a working knowledge of photo composition, setting up shots, and how a camera works in order to communicate effectively with a photographer. Photography is also a very in-demand skill within the design world.
Printer
The printer is basically the developer of the physical world – they take your print-ready file and make it real. While more and more designers are able to find work these days in a primarily digital sphere, it’s invaluable to have knowledge of the printing process, how to set up files for print, and what techniques are available.
Project Manager
Whether you work agency-side or in-house, a project manager will almost definitely be the person assigning you projects, tasks, and deadlines. They’ll keep you organized and on-task, and they’re the one who ultimately makes sure the project gets done.
Illustrator
Illustrators may be employed to create everything from watercolor paintings for a label, to infographics. While ability to draw is not essential for a designer, a working knowledge of illustration is extremely helpful, even if it’s just creating digital line drawings.
Brand Manager
Brand managers represent the business side of the design process. They oversee marketing strategy for a specific brand, and are in charge of briefing design teams and helping select the final design. Nobody knows the brand’s goals and target consumer better than them, so open communication about how to best reach those goals is essential.
Copywriter
Basically a word-designer, copywriters write everything from ad headlines to slogans to the back of shampoo bottles. They also frequently get to name products and businesses (though many agencies make this a group effort because naming things is really hard).
Social Media Specialist
Social Media Specialists employ your new look in order to consistently market their product. To work well with them, it’s essential to have a good knowledge of the major social networks (primarily Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and their best practices for content creation.
IT
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