Graphic Designer Requirements
This post provides information on the requirements you may be expected to meet if you are interested in the graphic designer career.
It covers educational, job, and certification requirements that graphic designers are generally expected to fulfill in the course of their careers.
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Graphic Designer Requirements for Career Success
If you are interested in becoming a graphic designer and succeeding in your career, here are the requirements to prepare to meet:
- Graphic Designer Educational Requirements
Depending on what position or office you would like to pursue, there are different levels of educational programs that can qualify you for a position in graphic design.
The academic programs or various degrees required of you to study are:
- High School diploma or other equivalent programs: Acquiring a high school certificate is a prerequisite if you want to enter the industry of graphic designing.
While in high school, offer as many art and graphic design-related courses as you can so as to have the basic knowledge of designing that will prepare you for a greater task ahead in undergraduate and graduate designing programs.
Admission requirements for High School Diploma in Graphic Designing
To enroll for this program, the individual must have completed High School educational program and must have passed required courses like drawing and painting, Graphics art and printing, English and other art related subjects so as to be admitted.
- Bachelor’s degree: Bachelor’s degrees in graphic design and fine art are offered widely at different colleges and universities.
Some varsities offer Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design programs which typically involve modules on typography, book cover design, drawing, and advanced graphic design such as web design.
These 4-year degree programs equip students with the creative and artistic skills necessary for first hand employment or higher offices in graphic design.
Admission requirements for Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design
Generally, the applicant must have completed High school education and must pass the required courses like fine and applied art and basic computer designing.
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA): As a professional graphic designer, if you want to advance your skills, you may want to consider enrolling in a graduate degree, such as a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design or Master in Visual Communication, or a related undergraduate degree.
Many colleges and universities offer advanced educational programs in graphic designing that can improve your skills and teach you how to use new design software.
Admission requirements for Master’s degree in Graphic Design
Graduate-level graphic design programs require a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a GPA of at least 3.0 is preferable.
2. Graphic Designer Job Requirements
If you are seeking the job of a graphic designer, here are major requirements employers may want you to meet to be hired:
- Educational qualifications such as a degree in Design, Fine Arts or in a related field
- Evidence of graphic designing experience such as strong portfolio of illustrations or other graphics
- Experience with design software and technologies such as Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, Gimp, and Adobe Photoshop
- An observant eye for aesthetics and attention to details
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Proficient dexterity skills and ability to work methodically and meet deadlines
- A graphic designer is expected to have knowledge about the latest trends and their role within the market
- Fine creativity and innovation skills.
See more graphic designer skills and qualities to excel on the job.
3. Business Analyst Certification Requirements
Do you seek to gain a leg up in the competitive workforce of graphic designers? If so, opting for a certification program will be an appropriate option.
Acquiring a certificate in Graphic Design can broaden your knowledge on the design industry and enhance your art-related skills.
Below are various certificates you can attain as a graphic designer:
- Certification in Premiere Pro 101: Adobe Premiere Pro is a program for editing digital video. Premiere lets you create videos, add effects, as well as perform color replacement and correction and work with audio.
Requirements: No previous video editing knowledge and experience is required to complete this course. Moreover, basic computer skills are a necessity.
- Illustrator 201 Certification : You will learn about advanced vector drawing concepts and techniques in this program, enabling you to create more complex illustrations.
Requirements: You must have already taken the Adobe Illustrator 101 training course or have knowledge of subjects covered in program.
- Certificate in motion design: Motion is the art of giving life to graphic animation. This certification program tutors the students on the animated graphical elements like pictures, pictogram, or synchronized sound, typography on 2D and 3D bases.
Requirements: BAC or equivalent; experience of drawings, Adobe CC, after-effects, 2D, blender 3D.
- Certification in Illustrator 101: At this program, you will learn tools needed to create basic vector illustrations and how to apply it, including how to design layout for a book, create a web page.
Requirements: You must not have prior knowledge of Illustrator in this course but you should have experience in either Microsoft Word or Excel or PowerPoint.
- Certificate in computer graphics: This program aims in training you professionally to be able to carry out and manage basically all types of graphics work.
Requirements: BAC or equivalent and a portfolio (a collection of completed works that demonstrates your styles and abilities)
Graphic Designer Responsibilities
Graphic designers use computer mediated devices to design art works for product packaging, websites, logos, fliers, newspapers, and magazines.
The graphic designer job description includes the process of visualizing and creating graphics, including illustrations, animations, layouts and photos.
The responsibilities of a graphic designer typically include:
- A graphic designer studies design briefs and determine requirements
- They work with clients, brief and advise them on the appropriate design style and format
- They develop concepts, graphics, and layouts for company logos and websites
- Graphic designers review final layouts, suggest improvements if necessary, and perform finishing design
- Using the appropriate colors, symbols, and layouts for each graphic design
- Communicate with clients to determine their demands, requirements, and budget
- Improves technical knowledge by attending designing workshops
- Prepare rough drafts and present ideas
- They use illustration, photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop and other layout software to create designs using an ICT gadget
- Communicating with the stakeholders about progress of graphics projects and any issues that may arise due to lack of funds or mismanagement.
See more graphic designer job description.