Graphic Designers

27-1024.00

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
• Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
• Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
• Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
• Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
• Use computer software to generate new images.
• Prepare digital files for printing.
• Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
• Research the target audience of projects.
• Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
• Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.
• Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.
• Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
• Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.
• Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
• Research new software or design concepts.
• Produce still and animated graphics for on-air and taped portions of television news broadcasts, using electronic video equipment.
• Photograph layouts, using camera, to make layout prints for supervisors or clients.
• Write or edit copy for clients.

Technology Skills

• Accounting software - Intuit QuickBooks 🔥
• Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Google Drive
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D 🔥; Autodesk Revit 🔥; Bentley MicroStation 🔥; Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; Computer aided design and drafting software CADD; Dassault Systemes CATIA; PTC Creo Parametric; SignCAD Systems SignCAD
• Customer relationship management CRM software - Oracle Eloqua
• Data base user interface and query software - FileMaker Pro; Microsoft Access 🔥; Structured query language SQL 🔥
• Desktop publishing software - Adobe Distiller; Adobe FrameMaker; Adobe InDesign ; Adobe PageMaker; Microsoft Publisher; QuarkXPress
• Development environment software - Adobe ActionScript; Verilog
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥; PDF readers
• Electronic mail software - IBM Notes; Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML 🔥
• Graphical user interface development software - Figma
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Creative Cloud software ; Adobe FreeHand MX; Adobe Illustrator ; Adobe Photoshop ; Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite; SmugMug Flickr; Trimble SketchUp Pro 🔥
• Internet browser software - Google Chrome; Web browser software
• Music or sound editing software - Avid Pro Tools
• Object or component oriented development software - jQuery 🔥
• Office suite software - Corel WordPerfect Office Suite; Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Apple macOS 🔥; Microsoft Windows 🔥
• Optical character reader OCR or scanning software - Nuance OmniPage Professional
• Presentation software - Apple iWork Keynote; Apple Keynote; Google Slides; Microsoft PowerPoint
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥
• Sales and marketing software - Google Ads
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Video creation and editing software - Adobe After Effects ; Adobe Premiere Pro; Apple Final Cut Pro; Apple iMovie; Maxon Cinema 4D; WeVideo; YouTube
• Web page creation and editing software - Adobe Dreamweaver; Adobe Macromedia HomeSite; Facebook 🔥; LinkedIn 🔥; Social media sites; WordPress 🔥
• Web platform development software - Adobe ColdFusion; AJAX 🔥; Cascading style sheets CSS ; Drupal 🔥; Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML; Extensible hypertext markup language XHTML; Hypertext markup language HTML ; JavaScript 🔥; Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP 🔥; PHP 🔥
• Word processing software - Google Docs 🔥; Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Design layout of art or product exhibits, displays, or promotional materials.
• Review art or design materials.
• Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
• Design layouts for print publications.
• Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
• Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
• Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
• Confer with clients to determine needs.
• Conduct market research.
• Collect data about customer needs.
• Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
• Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
• Maintain records, documents, or other files.
• Research new technologies.
• Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.
• Edit written materials.
• Write advertising or promotional material.