Employability in Graphic Design

Common Graphic Industry Programs

- Adobe® Photoshop® • sister program to Illustrator® • concepts of cropping, editing, color-correcting and re-sizing - Adobe® Illustrator® • sister program to Photoshop® • concepts of paths, groups, layers, text, color and visual effects are required - Adobe® InDesign® • standard desktop publishing software • print materials such as fliers, brochures, magazines and books - Adobe® Dreamweaver® • standard web design • concepts of designs, codes and publishing websites - Adobe® After Effects® • animation and special effects design • video effects and editing from animations of logos, movie titles and animations of inanimate characters - Adobe® Lightroom® • standard image editing and storage • photo enhancing and easy storage for photos

Graphic design careers are great career options for individuals who possess the following skills or personality traits:

- communication skills - passion and drive - creativity - teamwork - openness - problem-solving - patience

Tips for Communicating with Clients

- taking in their feedback professionally - listening to details - understanding their viewpoint at all times - applying their requests - being open to all ideas, comments and suggestions - incorporating their personality into the design

Workplace etiquette can be improved by

- understanding professional expectations • discuss with other professionals in a similar field what the typical expectations are - following workplace dress codes and technology guidelines - seeking advice when needed - practicing skills and communication tactics in front of other professionals - implementing skills into personal life

Graphic designers should possess additional skills to meet any additional requirements on their position such as:

- web design - video production - photography - writing - artistic skills - can utilize these additional skills to either expand their current careers or to embark on new ventures

Additional Skills Segments- graphic designers can be asked to: and can enhance their skills by:

-create designs for a variety of mediums such as web or video - photograph images to be used in a design - write copy to be included in designs drawing, painting, crafting

Interpersonal skills

Abilities which enable effective interaction with others; leadership, teamwork, collaboration, communication

Video Production Skills

Can be valuable for a graphic designer to have when designing animations or special effects - designers can expand their work to include designing these for videos • Include: - proficiency in motion graphic programs such as Adobe® After Effects® - basic understanding of how movement is illustrated - sense of video animation trends and special effects

Designing Multiple Versions

Allows the client to have options • Facilitates communication about the design and can be used to create a final design by incorporating aspects of different designs into one • May be difficult and time consuming, but can lead to creating a design in which both the client and designer are content

Web Design Skills

Can be valuable for a graphic designer to have when designing graphics - for their own website or when looking to expand their work to include designing websites • Include: - proficiency in web design programs such as Adobe® Dreamweaver® - basic understanding of HTML, CSS and JavaScript - sense of web trends and layouts

Photography Skills

Can be valuable for a graphic designer to have when enhancing images - designers can expand their work to include their own images • Include: - proficiency in photo editing programs such as Adobe® Photoshop® and Adobe® Lightroom® - basic understanding of raster images, cropping, repairing, resizing and color-correcting techniques - sense of editing trends

Writing Skills

Can be valuable for a graphic designer to have when enhancing an invitation, postcard, brochure, book, etc. - designers can expand their work to include copywriting • Include: - proficiency in editing programs such as Adobe® Illustrator® and Adobe® InDesign® - basic understanding of the target audience, use of pronouns and promotional advertising - sense of marketing and public relation trends

Artistic Skills

Can be valuable for a graphic designer to have when looking to expand their work to include hand-drawings • Include: - proficiency with drawing technologies such as a design tablet and styluses - basic understanding of how colors, lines and positioning can effect a graphic image - sense of creativity and individuality

Professional Standards

Can refer to soft skills such as: - the talent of communicating with a professional attitude to clients - the ability to adeptly manage time to meet deadlines • Can also include knowledge requirements such as: - occupational awareness - understanding of the design process - technical competence

Graphic Design Process

Combines art and technology • Is important for designers to understand to establish their routines and deadlines for clients • Includes the following steps: - gathering the information - choosing design details - designing multiple versions - fulfilling the distribution

dress codes

Guidelines put in place to ensure employees dress in a manner which is appropriate for their job - can help to ensure employees look professional • Can be very specific such as wearing a company uniform or more general such as "business casual" - specific regulations vary from profession to profession

Learning New Programs & Skills

Important for career advancement and relevance in a graphic design careers • Can be done by: - tutorial videos - workshops - classes/courses

Technology

Important resource in the workplace, however, many workplaces have policies which specify how it can be used - inappropriate use of technology is typically considered when technology is utilized for purposes which are not related to work • for instance, checking a social media account on a cell phone during work hours could be prohibited by the company

Choosing Design Details

Includes the following: - correct color format - software of choice - scaling content - distribution options • Should be completed prior to designing to best meet the client's needs and method of distribution Exporting documents with the correct extensions and resolutions as well as using RGB and CMYK appropriately is a necessity.

Fulfilling the Distribution

Includes: - coordinating the proper distribution technique • printing, electronic, etc. - contacting other companies if in need of their assistance • for example, contacting a print shop if the designer does not have those capabilities - following up with client approval of the end result

Openness

Involves being open-minded and willing to try new things • Can be shown by: - being accepting to the client's feedback - learning new skills through different software - attempting new design styles - listening to details and responses carefully - taking a different viewpoint on a design

Gathering Information

Involves gathering the ideas and wishes of the client • Includes: - knowing the final use for design • including the dimensions - researching the target audience - understanding the specifics • who, what, when, where, why - developing a color scheme and rough outline with information and visual content

Workplace Etiquette

Is a set of rules governing the expectations of social behavior in the workplace • Can vary from workplace to workplace, but in general includes: - professionalism standards - dress codes - technology guidelines

Verbal Communication

Is the sharing of information through speech • Is used in the workplace when: - answering phones - having face-to-face conversations • Can be used to convey information clearly and effectively if good verbal communication skills are utilized conveyed through: annunciating clearly - asking for clarification - conveying messages concisely - encouraging others to share input - paraphrasing to show understanding - receiving criticism without defensiveness - selecting language which is appropriate for the audience - speaking calmly and confidently - tailoring messages to different audiences

written communication

Is the transfer of information through written words • Is a common and effective mode of communication which is permanent • Can influence people's opinions based on how written communication skills are shown in e-mails, text messages or even social media posts

Non-Verbal Communication

Is the transfer of information to an audience in addition to the words spoken • Can be used to punctuate, reinforce or emphasize certain points of verbal communication • Is conveyed through: - body language and posture - facial expressions - eye contact - tone of voice - physical space - speed of speaking - touch - appearance

Technical Competence

Refers to knowing how to use any technology required in the career - for instance, a graphic design should be proficient in utilizing a variety of design programs as well as design technologies • programs such as Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe® Illustrator® and Adobe® InDesign® are common in the graphic design industry • being capable to work on either a Windows® or Mac® operating system as well as utilize items such as design tablets and styluses are also good skills

Problem-Solving

Refers to the ability to address and find a solution to a conflict or issue • Can be shown by: - seeking from other industry professionals - seeing design through the eyes of the target audience - listening to the client's opinions and views - focusing on the big picture when little details are causing the issues

Teamwork

Refers to the ability to cooperate and collaborate among people to accomplish a shared goal • Requires unified behaviors including: - recognizing strengths and capabilities of each team member - distinguishing roles and responsibilities and being accountable for their fulfillment - sharing and organizing resources efficiently - expressing appreciation for the contributions of all team members

Enthusiasm

Refers to the ability to show active interest and excitement as well asa readiness to become involved

Occupational Awareness

Refers to understanding and adhering to the needs of a specific profession • Is shown by: - complying with industry standards for conduct, knowledge, skills, certifications, etc. - actively participating in professional organizations through meetings, conferences and training sessions - understanding industry terminology - constantly learning new techniques and program tactics

Creativity

The ability to effectively generate new ways to present information in a more exciting manner • Can be shown by: - having an eye for design - incorporating a client's ideas into the design - improving and editing previous designs to better please the client - looking at a variety of items for inspiration - completing projects such as crafts, paintings or others which serve as a creative outlet

Communication Skills

The methods of communicating between the designer and their client(s) - including the use of nonverbal and verbal communication • Require techniques such as: - ability to explain design elements and philosophy - understanding client expectations - ability to take criticism - taking direction to improve work - willingness to hear others' ideas

Passion & Drive

Vital in order to be successful in creative industries such as graphic design - being a designer can involve working odd hours, developing many drafts and varying workloads which require enthusiasm and commitment - these characteristics can help designers to work through the difficulties which may occur

Collaboration

When two or more individuals work together to achieve a common goal through shared ideas and skills

Work Ethic

a set of principles centered on the importance of doing work and the determination to work hard

Workplace behaviors and skills

can be improved by: -noticing positive traits in others and modeling their behaviors - asking for advice when appropriate - identifying necessary areas of improvement by maintaining selfawareness - finding situations requiring traits and using them to practice • get out of the comfort zone to work on improving traits which have been identified as areas in need of improvement

Graphic design careers involve working with

clients - co-workers - other designers • Require individuals to possess certain personal characteristics or personality traits as well as have certain professional skills

Workplace behaviors and skills can ensure success in a business setting. Include

competence

Teamwork

cooperating and collaborating with a group of individuals to accomplish a shared goal, shown by: - recognizing the strengths and capabilities of each team member - distinguishing roles and responsibilities of team members and being accountable for their fulfillment - expressing appreciation for the contributions of all team members

Interpersonal Skills

developed continuously during every social interaction in a person's life - good and bad habits are formed over time • Can influence professional and social aspects of an individual's life - good interpersonal skills lead to better relationships

Employability Skills are attributes which improve an individual's ability to gain employment and be effective at their job. They are often ______ and _________. Focus on personal and interpersonal traits.

linked; complimentary

Interpersonal Skills can be improved by

maintaining a good attitude • smile and be happy to help boost others' moods - developing emotional intelligence • understand one's own emotions, the emotions of others and how emotions affect attitude and behavior - practicing continuously • socialize often and consider every interaction an opportunity to strengthen abilities

Patience

the ability to accept and tolerate delay, interruption or misfortune without displaying annoyance and frustration • Can be shown by: - listening to everyone respectfully - approaching conflicts with a calm, constructive attitude - avoiding personal irritability when experiencing difficulties - considering all options and perspectives before acting

Competence

the ability to apply knowledge and skills to complete a task or job properly; having the necessary skills and abilities to complete a job

Reliability

the ability to be depended upon to perform consistently well

Dependability

the ability to be trustworthy and reliable; shown by arriving to work on time and being responsible

Leadership

the ability to manage, support and guide a group to accomplish goals; contributing a significant amount to group efforts while encouraging equal participation among members

Problem-Solving

the ability to produce an appropriate solution when a problem arises; thinking quickly and being able to justify decisions which are made

Time Management

the ability to use planning and organization to maximize efficiency; organizing resources for efficient access and use

Ethics

the application of moral principles, standards of behavior or set of values regarding proper conduct

Communication

the methods used to exchange information; verbal, nonverbal, and written

Critical-Thinking

the process of analyzing information to develop a logical response; identifying key factors which lead to a reasonable answer

Integrity

the quality of being honest and adhering to ethical and moral principles consistently

Professionalism

the way a person conducts their behavior in a business setting • Can be shown by: - treating everyone with respect - having civil relationships with other coworkers - maintaining poise - remaining trustworthy - dressing professionally - holding to a punctual schedule - being accountable under all circumstances - being mindful of others needs

Flexibility

the willingness and ability to readily adapt as circumstances and expectations change

improve written communication

writing short, easy to read sentences and paragraphs - utilizing proper grammar, spelling and punctuation - being clear and concise - identifying and correcting any potential misunderstandings - using a friendly tone - proofing and double-checking for errors and tone - knowing when verbal communication is a better option to convey a message