How to become A Graphic Artist

From inanimate objects to sentient beings to androids, Graphic Artists use their creative genius to visualise an idea and their knowledge of modern technology to communicate the concept through images, print, and website designs.

• Graphical Artist
• Visual Artist

What do Graphic Artists do?

A Graphic Artist would typically need to:

• Integrate artistic and design skills with technology to produce visually-appealing artwork that communicates emotions and stories to the audience
• Make use of abstract or novel artistic techniques in diverse traditional and digital formats to meet sales and marketing objectives
• Meet with clients to understand their specific needs and expectations and discuss appropriate project designs
• Create layouts, iconography, package designs, website designs, logos, and illustrations for magazines, billboards, restaurant menus, and product packaging
• Choose tasteful structure, text, images, colours, font, size, and type; combine all the elements so the design is aesthetically pleasing
• Come up with manual or computer-drawn rough drafts and sketches of the accepted concepts
• Present the rough draft or sketch to their art director or client for further discussion and revision
• Take part in a collaborative revision and approval process until the final design gains approval
• Work with professionals from public relations, advertising, promotions, and marketing
• Make note of any changes the client wants and implement them; check their work for any mistakes, before it is published

Graphic Artists typically work in a spacious studio environment with computers and drafting tables. The kind of art they produce dictates the kind of art supplies and media they use.

Travel may be necessary to meet clients and drum up new business. Although Graphic Artists tend to work independently, they regularly meet with clients and interact with professionals from public relations, advertising, promotions, and marketing.

The number of projects at hand and the deadlines you are juggling will determine the specific number of hours you will need to put in at any given time. However, most Graphic Artists work more than 40 hours a week, including evenings and weekends, to meet client needs. 

Self-employed professionals must invest extra time to search and apply for new jobs, network with clients, and build their client base.

Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Graphic Artists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. Self-employment is a standard option.

Graphic Artists are generally employed by:

• Advertising Agencies
• Public Relations Companies
• Graphic Design Companies
• Corporate Communications Departments
• Publishers
• Manufacturing Firms

Professional associations and organisations, such as The International Council Of Design (ICOD), are crucial for Graphic Artists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Intense competition leading to irregular income, if self-employed
• Health issues resulting from long hours spent at the computer or over the drawing board
• Stress due to tight and simultaneous deadlines
• Long working hours that might negatively impact health and work-life balance

Graphic Artists will benefit from tasks outside the classroom that align perfectly with lessons on digital animation and illustration software. 

One may hear countless stories and obtain valuable hands-on experience from more experienced professionals who can turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

Summer internships, part-time work at an entry-level position, or short-term paid/voluntary work offer a taste of the work, give valuable insight into how a company operates, help build useful contacts, and improve one’s prospects of getting a permanent job.

Look out for any opportunity to enhance your print, electronic, and graphic media knowledge. You may gain real-time experience in interacting with the client and planning a project per their expectations. 

In addition to building organisational, communication, interpersonal, time management, and planning, skills, the experience may also help an aspiring Graphic Artist determine whether the public, private, or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. 

Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable work placements, internships and voluntary work opportunities in diverse sectors.

Create a robust portfolio showcasing your style and skills to attract potential employers or freelance clients. Online training and specialisation programmes can help you build a vast repertoire of work that demonstrates your talent.

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experienced Graphic Artists to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

It is possible to thrive as a self-taught Graphic Artist. However, most aspirants prefer to pursue a bachelor’s degree in graphic art, graphic design, interactive computer graphics, transmedia storytelling, fine arts, or art from an accredited learning institution. 

Students with a four-year degree in a different discipline can also aspire to become Graphic Artists, provided they undergo relevant technical training. An accredited certificate in graphic design software will also stand you in good stead.

Specialisation in specific areas such as design, illustration, or photography is common. An ideal academic programme would include classes in animation, video graphics, digital arts, drawing, and game and interactive media design.

Recommended high school courses include art, commercial art, computer applications, desktop publishing, drawing and painting, graphic arts and printing, and web page design.

Since self-employment is common among Graphic Artists, courses in accounting, entrepreneurship, and introduction to business would also help you run your own business someday.

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.

Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.

Certification demonstrates a Graphic Artist’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Certification in web design, digital design, graphics communication, interior design, medical illustration, Adobe Creative Suite, and marketing from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market and allow you to become an independent consultant.

Exemplary performance, significant experience, and the timely acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Graphic Artists who may be promoted to Chief Designer, Design Manager, or Creative Director positions. 

Self-employment is a viable option at any point in one’s career. As you become more popular, you will catch the attention of graphic designers and art directors interested in your style and area of speciality. Now you can demand more from your clients.

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills.

Determined and hard-working Graphic Artists with artistic abilities, mastery of appropriate software programmes, and communication and time management skills have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Graphic Artist build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, 

formal education, or self-directed learning.

The field of graphic art is very competitive. Graphic Artists who invest in further education and training will have a better chance of retaining a strong foothold in the industry.

More jobs will come your way when you prove that you have a strategically-developed skill set and the ability to work in diverse mediums, such as print publications and websites.

Self-employed Graphic Artists who spend their formative years working and aggressively marketing themselves will reap the rewards later when they can afford to spend more time on creating art and less on self-promotion.

In a Nutshell

Although it appears under the broader umbrella of the fine arts, graphic art can be further divided into a wide range of two-dimensional works of visual art that rely on line, colour or tone.

Calligraphy, photography, painting, typography, computer graphics, bindery, and plans and layouts drawn for interior and architectural designs are some of the most popular expressions of graphic art.

Graphic Artist vs Graphic Designer

Both professions involve creative expression with digital tools, but their scope and projects vary enough to be considered dissimilar.

Graphic Artists, as their name suggests, hold their art above everything else, whether it is to produce fine art or cartoons. More akin to storytellers who create a captivating narrative, graphic artists focus more on communicating feelings.

They may use software, digital photography, hand drawing, painting, and collage to create book covers, images and storyboards for film and television, printed designs for home decor or clothing, backdrops for animation films or video games, or art for advertisements.

Graphic designers, on the contrary, blend visual and text-based content to present captivating words and images within a specified space. They use problem-solving skills to attract the viewers’ attention and encourage them to interact with flyers, digital banners, posters, magazine layouts, and print advertisements.

Graphic Artists are more likely to freelance and work independently, while Graphic designers work within a creative team in a company or organisation.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Graphic Artists have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time Graphic Artist has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best.

New York City decided to replace its street signs based on research that proves all-caps signs are more challenging to read and increase the likelihood of accidents, particularly among older drivers.

With their unlimited potential for abstract thought and the absence of restrictive guidelines, Graphic Artists can gain immense job satisfaction from facilitating an idea or story, so its visual imagery engages the target audience.

“There are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for.” 

Milton Glaser