GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Overview
Graphics is a part of visual communication. Graphic designers are the practical artists whose creations are intended to express ideas, convey information, or draw attention to a product. They are the visual artists who have put their fine arts skills at the service of commercial clients. A number of different disciplines can fall under the broad heading of graphic design: film and animation work, typography and lettering, illustration, printing processes and printmaking, display and exhibition work, technical graphics for engineering, calligraphy, model-making, packaging, design for advertising and so on.
Graphic designers can design a wide variety of materials such as advertisements (posters, packaging, etc.), symbols or 'logos', signs, computer graphics and games, book jackets and magazine covers. They may create the visual corporate identity symbol of organisations. Graphic designers also work on TV graphics used in captioning, programme titling and illustration. Computers are increasingly being used to produce graphics.
Nature of Work
Graphic designers are not really fine artists although they may be highly skilled at drawing and painting. Much of the design work commissioned to graphic designers involves both artwork and copy. The designer, therefore needs to be familiar with the wide range of art media such as photography, drawing, painting, etc, and styles as well as with a wide range of typefaces and know how to manipulate them for right effect.
Whatever the speciality and whatever the medium, all graphic designers begin by determining as best as they can the needs and preferences of the clients and potential buyers, or viewers. They must respect project budgets. They must understand how various colours, shapes and layouts will affect the viewer psychologically.
After a plan has been conceived and the details worked out a graphic designer win do some preliminary designs to present to the client for approval. The client may reject the preliminary design or suggest alterations to the existing design. The designer then goes back to the 'drawing board' to attempt a new design or make the suggested changes. This process continues till the client approves the design.
Once the design is approved, the graphic designer prepares the design for professional reproduction.
Work Environment
Most graphic designers work in comfortable surroundings (offices or studios), and for the most part work regular hours. Irregular hours of work have to be put in to complete projects on time. Some work for large organisations in their design department with other designers. Some work freelance and get paid by the assignment. Graphic designers in smaller organisations may have public contact too.
The workplace is mostly very informal and there is constant flow of ideas and brainstorming to get new concepts.
Physical and Psychological Requirements
A vibrant imagination; creative drawing skill; interest in the social environment, prevailing tastes, needs and customs; perseverance; self confidence, ability to visualise concepts and ideas; curiosity and exceptional talent are the requirements for a career in graphic design.
Physical and mental stamina are important to handle the pressure of deadlines and umpteen rejections before a design is approved.
Study /Training
While most of the skills required to become a graphic designer are to a great extent natural, formal training has a lot of importance for securing jobs. Training to become a graphic designer means going through a Bachelor of Fine Arts or a Bachelor of Design programme. Usually these are offered at universities as 4-year programmes after Class 12 (in a few cases after Class 10). In the field of graphic design the commercial art courses run by the various polytechnics all over the country are also appropriate. The commercial art programmes at the polytechnics are usually of two years' duration.
An aptitude test plus merit in the qualifying examination are the basic admission requirements. Innate talent is a major quality for success in the profession. Visits to art galleries, museums, studios, industrial and commercial organisations normally form a part of the training programme.
Master's degree programmes are of 2-year duration for Bachelor of Design graduates. Admission is through an entrance test.
Employment Prospects
A strong portfolio is the best way to enter the profession. Learning how to compile a portfolio is also taught as part of a professional training programme. The portfolio may be compiled from artwork at the training school, in part-time or freelance jobs/assignments. It should reflect the designer's growing skills. Computer proficiency is a basic requirement of all graphic designers today.
From reputed institutions most students are placed immediately after qualifying. Practical internship and the final project help the students to interact with future employers leading to an advantage in placements for the student and in early identification of a prospective employee for the company.
Design studios, advertising agencies, manufacturing companies, stores, museums, television and film companies, art galleries, art companies, magazine and book publishing employ graphic designers. Many graphic designers look for work with industrial companies allied to the engineering industry to prepare drawings and plans from written specifications. They may also take on medical illustration work. Public relations agencies, exhibition organisers are also employers of graphic designers. Freelance work comes in easily with sufficient commercial experience rather than immediately after graduating.
Government is also an employer of graphic designers in their Department of Audio-Visual Publicity, etc.
Starting salaries are not standardised but in good private companies, Rs. 5,000 may be expected. Reputed professional degrees can fetch in even Rs.10,000 with a large company.
Graphic designers with strong computing skills can find work in computer leisure industry designing games and other leisure concepts. Teaching is another work opportunity as a full-time or Part-time pursuit.
Television, video, animation design, the booming entertainment industry in general and now the web are opening up more opportunities for the graphic designer.
Career Progression
Initially graphic designers work under the supervision of senior designers. As they gain experience, they are given independent assignments with increasingly less supervision. Experienced designers easily move to the top position in their own department or become chief designers.
Experienced designers find it easy to get freelance assignments and often set up their own design consultancies. Their previous work experience provides them with an established clients base familiar with his/her work.
Multimedia and interactive graphics is a huge opportunity for experienced graphic designers with requisite computer skills.
International Outlook
UK
National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD), The Gatehouse, Corsham Court, Wiltshire, SN13 OBZ
USA
The American Institute of Graphic Arts, 164 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010
Related Careers
Advertising Animators & Cartoonists
Art Industrial Designing
Information Technology Multimedia
LIST OF TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
Place
Institutions
Courses offered
Eligibility criteria
Ahmedabad
National institute of design
Paldi,
Ahmedabad 380007
Graphic design
Ahmedabad
Gujarat University
Navrangpur,
Ahmedabad 380009
Gujarat [estd 1950]
Phone: 6301341, 6300342
Under graduate diploma in fine arts: painting and sculpture
Aligarh
Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh 202002
Uttar Pradesh [estd. 1920]
Phone: 400994, 400220
E-mail: admn@gndu.ernet.in
Bachelors in fine arts (BFA)
Masters in fine arts (MFA)
Amritsar
Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar 143005,
Punjab [estd. 1969]
Phone: 258802-09
E-mail: admn@gndu.ernet.in
BA fine arts
MA fine arts
B design
M Design management
Aurangabad
Dr. babasaheb ambedakar
Marathwada university,
Aurangabad 431004,
Maharashtra [estd. 1958]
Phone: 334431-37
Bachelors in fine arts (BFA): painting, applied art
Banasthali
Banasthali Vidyapitha,
P.O. Banasthali Vidyapith,
Banasthali 304022,
Rajasthan [estd. 1983]
Phone: 28341, 28324
E-mail: ds@bvernet.in
BA fine arts: painting and drawing
MA fine arts
Berhampur
Berhampur University,
Bhanja Bihar,
Berhampur 760007
District Ganjam
Orissa [estd. 1967]
Phone: 200615, 282233
5-years bachelors in fine arts (BFA): painting, sculpture, modelling, communication, arts, design,
Bhubaneswar
Utkal University,
P.O. Vani Vihar
Bhubaneswar 751004
Orissa [estd. 1943]
Phone: 580729, 580735-36
Bachelor of fine arts & crafts
Duration: 5 years
Chandigarh
Punjab University,
Sector-14,
Chandigarh 1600014
Punjab [estd. 1947]
Phone: 541945, 541716
E-mail: mmp%vc@puniv.chd.nic.in
BFA (bachelor of fine arts):
Painting, applied arts, graphics, sculpture
MA fine arts
Chennai
Lexicon college of art & design
(Affiliated to university of madras),
7 prasanna vinayagar koil st
aminjikarai,
Chennai 600029
Phone: 26445558
BFA
Chennai
University of Madras,
Centenary Buldings Chepauk,
Triplicane P.O.
Chennai 600005,
Tmil Nadu [estd. 1857]
Phone: 2568778 [10 lines]
E-mail: vcoffice@unimad.ernet.in
3 years bachelors in fine arts (BFA): visual communication, textile design, ceramic design, painting and sculpture
Chitrakoot
Mahatma Gandhi chitrakoot
Gramodaya vishwavidyalaya,
Chitrakoot 485331,
Dist. Satna,
Madhya pradesh [estd. 1991]
Phone: 65413, 65411
4-years bachelors in fine arts (BFA)
Coimbatore
Avinashilingam Inst for
Home Science And Higher
Education for Women
Coimbatore 641043,
Tamilnadu [estd. 1988]
Phone: 440241, 443620
E-mail: devunity@giasmdol.vsnl.net.in
1-year diploma in visual communication design and painting.
Delhi
University of Delhi
Delhi 110007 [estd: 1922]
Phone: 27257725, 24108854
E-mail: vcdu@del3.vsnl.net.in
BA (Fine arts)
BA applied arts; masters in fine arts (MFA)
Masters in applied arts (MFA)
Dharwad
Karnatak University,
Pavat Ngar,
Dharwad 580003,
Karnatak [estd. 1949]
Phone: 747122
E-mail: vckud@ren.nic.in
5 years BFA (bachelor of fine arts): applied art, graphic art, art history, painting, sculpture
MFA: applied art, graphic art, art history, sculpture.
Goa
Goa university,
Sub p.o. Goa university,
Taleigao plateau,
Goa 403206 [estd. 1985]
Phone: 221375-77
E-mail: vc@unigoa.ernet.in
5 years BFA: painting, applied arts
Gorakhpur
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya
Gorakhpur University,
Gorakhpur 273009,
Uttar pradesh [estd. 1957]
Phone: 330767, 340363
MA fine arts
Gulbarga
Gulbarga University,
Jnana Ganga,
Gulbarga 585106,
Karnatak [estd. 1980]
Phone: 45446
E-mail: root@guluni.kar.nic.in
BA fine arts
MA fine arts
Guwahati
Guwahati University,
P.O. Gopinath Bordoloi Nagar,
Guwahati 781014
Assam [estd. 1948]
Phone: 570415
Guwahati
Guwahati university,
Po gopinath bordoloi nagar,
Guwahati 781014,
Assam [estd. 1948]
Phone: 570415
BDes
(Visual communication/ Industrial)
Hyderabad
Heart animation academy,
Hyderabad (for details write to: asst. manager HR,
7a, road nop 12
banjara Hills,
hyderabad 500034)
E-mail: heart@hdl.vsnl.net.in
Hyerabad
University of Hyderabad,
P.O. central University,
Hyderabad 500046 [estd 1974]
Phone: 23010500
E-mail: mmgasdmm@40hyd.ernet.in
Hyerabad
Jawaharlal Nehru technological university
Mahaveer marg,
Masab marg,
Masab tank
Hyderanad 500028 [estd. 1972]
Phone: 23391442, 23391467
Hyerabad
Potti sreeremulu telugu university
Public gardens,
Hyderabad 500004,
Andhra pradesh [estd. 1985]
Phone: 2240225, 2234676
E-mail: pstuhyd@cal.vsnl.net.in
Imphal
Manipur university
Canchipur
Imphal 795003,
Manipur [estd. 1980]
Phone: 220787, 231945
E-mail: libnmu@cal.vsnl.net.in
Jaipur
University of Rajastan,
Gandhi Ngar;
Jaipur 302004,
Rajastan [estd 1947]
Phone: 510813
Jalgaon
North Mharashtra University,
Post Box No.80
Umavinagar;
Jalgaon 425002
Maharashtra [estd 1990]
Phone: 252187-90
E-mail: nmunijal@bom6.vsnl.net.in
Jammu tawi
University of Jammu,
Baba Saheb Ambedkar Road,
Jammu Tawi 180006
Jammu and Kashmir [estd. 1969]
Phone: 431365, 435248
Khairagarh
Indira kala sangit
Vishwavidyalaya
Khairagarh 491881,
Distt. Rajnandgaon,
Madhya pradesh [estd. 1956]
Phone: 34232, 34534
E-mail: umusart@bom6.vsnl.net.in
Kolkata
Rabindra Bharati University,
Emeraled Bower Campus,
56/A, BT Road,
Kolkata 700050
West Bengal [estd. 1962]
Phone: 25568079, 255673028
Kolkata
University of Kolkata,
Senate House 87/1,
College Street,
Kolkata 700073
West Bengal [estd. 1857]
Phone: 22410071, 22414984
E-mail: registrar@vecc.ernet.in
Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra University,
Kurukshetra 136119
Haryana [estd 1956]
Phone: 20039, 20196
E-mail: kuk@doe.ernet.in
Lucknow
University of Lucknow,
Badshah Bagh,
Lucknow 226007
Uttar Pradesh [estd. 1921]
Phone: 330065, 322761
Mumbai
ZICA studios,
Esselworld, gorai island,
Borivali W,
Mumbai 400091
Phone: (022) 28684485/ 28699957
Mumbai
Industrial design centre,
IIT Bombay,
Powai,
Mumbai 400076
Mumbai
Arena animation academy
Arena multimedia,
12-a vikas centre,
s v road, santa cruz,
Mumbai 400054
Phone: 26149569/ 4016
Mumbai
UTV’s School Of Animation,
Unilazer House,
7 Marwah Estate, Krishanlal
Marwah Marg, Sakinaka,
Andheri E, Mumbai
Phone: 8570000
Mumbai
Academy of digital arts & communication,
H.O. CTPL, 4/491,
Jaldev apts, 33rd road,
Bandra W, Mumbai
Phone: 26490130/ 5539/ 5375
Mumbai
Microcell multimedia,
Poojan, plot 41, jaihind society
N s road no 11, J V P D Scheme,
Mumbai
Phone: 26206442/ 6231960
Mumbai
Edit institute,
2nd floor mangal bhavna
14th rd khar, above domino’s
pizza Mumbai
phone: 26005070/ 5111
Mumbai
3 CRC Technologies pentasoft
technologies limited,
3 ground floor, timmy arcade,
makwuana road marole,
andheri E,
Mumbai 400059
Phone: 28590853/ 3295
E-mail: pentabom@bom3.vsnl.net.in
Mumbai
University of Mumbai,
M.G. Road, Fort,
Mumbai 400032,
Maharashtra [estd. 1857]
Phone: 22652819-25
E-mail: vesuom@shakti.ernet.in
Mysore
University of Mysore,
Crawford Hall,
Mysore 570005,
Karnatak [estd. 1916]
Phone: 421555, 420677
E-mail: uomeb@giabgo1.vsnl.net.in
Nagpur
Nagpur University,
Rabindra Nath Tagore Marg,
Nagpur 440001
Maharashtra [estd. 1923]
Phone: 523045, 525417
E-mail: nagppurul@shakti.ernet.in
New delhi
Apeejay institute of design,
(Affiliated to guru nanak dev university amritsar),
54 institute area, tughlakabad,
(Near batra hospital)
New delhi 110062
Phone: (011) 26981050
E-mail: apeejay@apeejay.edu
New delhi
Jamia Milia Islamia,
Mohammad Ali Jauhar Marg,
Jamia Nagar;
New Delhi 110025 [estd. 1920]
Phone: 26831717, 26835176/315
E-mail: root@jmi.ernet.in
Patiala
Punjabi university,
Patiala 147002,
Punjab [estd. 1962]
Phone: 282461-65
E-mail: regup@pb.ernet.in
Patna
Patna University
Patna 800005 [estd. 1917]
Phone: 650531, 650877
E-mail: rksblpu@bih.nic.in
Pondicherry
Pondicherry University,
R. Venkatramanan Nagar;
Kalpet,
Pondicherry 605014 [estd. 1985]
Phone: 655177, 655184
E-mail: vtpatil@unipune.ernet.in
Pune
C-DAC,s national multimedia resource centre,
Agriculture college campus,
Near district industries centre,
Shivaji nagar,
Pune 411005
Phone: (020) 5537564
Fax: (020) 5657551
E-mail: nmrc@cdac.ernet.in
Pune
University of pune
Ganeskhind
Pune 411007,
Maharashtra [estd. 1949]
Phone: 5656061, 6550272
E-mail: puvc@unipune.ernet.in
Rohtak
Maharshi Dayanand University,
Rohtak 124001,
Haryana [est. 1976]
Phone: 41777, 44555
santiniketan
Viswa-Bharati,
Kala Bhawan,
P.O. Santiniketan 731235
District, Birbhum
West Bengal [estd. 1951]
Phone: Bolpur [03463] 52751-56
E-mail: root@vbharat.ernet.in
Shankaraghatta
Kuvempu university,
Jnana sahyadri,
Shankaraghatta 577451,
Shimog district.
Karnataka [estd. 1987]
Phone: 37221, 37222
E-mail: vchans@shivkuv.kar.nic.in
Silchar
Assam University,
P.B. No. 63,
Silchar 788001
District. Cacher
Assam [estd. 1994]
Phone: 70801, 70803
E-mail: unisil@ren.nic.in
Srinagar
University of Kashmir,
University campus,
Hazratbal,
Srinagar 190006,
Jammu and Kashmir [estd. 1948]
Phone: 221375-77
E-mail: myqardi@hotmail.com
Thiruvananthapuram
University of Kerala,
University P.O.
Thiruvananthapuram 695034
[estd. 1937]
Phone: 446634, 305631
E-mail: akp@univker.ernet.in
Tiruchirapalli
Bharathidasa university,
Palkalaiperur,
Rituchitapalli 620024
Tamilnadu [estd. 1982]
Phone: 660392, 660271-2
E-mail: vc@bdu.ernet.in
Tirupati
Sri padmavathi university,
Visvavidyalayam
Tirupati 517502,
Chittor district.
Andhra pradesh [estd. 1983]
Phone: 50416, 50417
Ujjain
Vikram University,
University Road,
Ujjain 4556010
Madhya pradesh [estd. 1957]
Phone: 514277
E-mail: icsvuujn@bom4.vsnl.net.in
Vadodara
The maharaja sayajiro university of baroda,
Opp. Drug laboratory,
Shastri bridge road fatehganj,
Vadodara 390002,
Gujrat [estd. 1949
Phone: 795600, 795521
E-mail: vc@msub.ernet.in
Varanasi
Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi 220005,
Uttar Pradesh [estd. 1916]
Phone: 316558
E-mail: vcbhu@banaras.ernet.in
Varanasi
Mahatma Gandhi Kashi
Vidyapith,
Varanashi 221002,
Uttar Pradesh [estd. 1921]
Phone: 357289, 358120
Vishakhapatnam
Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam 530003
[estd: 1926]
Phone: 554871
E-mail: aulibra@md2.vsnl.net.in
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