Someone who has graphic arts skills is referred to as a graphic designer or a graphic artist. A graphic artists job is to find the best way to communicate a message in a visual fashion. The graphic artist must begin by asking questions. What is the message to express? What is the best way to communicate this message? What tools will I use? Where will the result be displayed? A graphic artist may consider the culture, age, gender, and psychological profile of the target audience. A knowledge of marketing and basic human nature would be helpful.
Graphic artists may work with and combine many types of art. They may use drawings scanned into a computer, digital photos, create animations, video clips, use computer art created within software, or even add sound to their digital masterpieces. A graphic artist paints a picture to communicate. The computer is one of his most important tools. A graphic artist is like a Leondardo De Vinci with a computer.
Their work may involve layout design and art for magazines, web pages, newspapers, books, brochures, billboards, reports, product labels, packaging, logos, interactive media, games, and movies. Nearly every type of electronic or physical publication requires graphic arts in some form. They may work at home, for a marketing firm, corporation, or government office.
The graphic artist must understand the needs and requirements of a client, plan a strategy and be able to express their ideas to their clients in the form of sketches or preliminary examples. They may choose the ink, paper, and design elements for a project. Independent graphic artists often get paid by the job rather then by the number of hours they work. They may have to work in the evenings, and meet deadlines. They also have to be able to accept rejection and criticism of their designs and alter them according to the clients needs or desires.
The actual skills and creativity of a graphic artist are more important than his education. The more skills he can add to his toolbox; the more likely he is to get work and make more money. Graphic arts skills may include any mix of the following, (but often just a few of these skills are enough to get the job done): photography, digital photography, drawing, painting, airbrush, illustration software, (like Gimp, Corel, or Photoshop); Flash skills, web page designing skills, (html, PHP, SQL, etc); 2D animation software, video making and editing, graph making applications, ect. The most important graphic arts skill is to be creative at communicating a message in way that will leave a lasting impression. You can get started with free Gimp software here: Gimp home.
The job outlook for graphic arts skills looks good. Companies are continually on the lookout for new talent and as the internet grows, so does the need for graphic artists and graphic designers. The salary varies drastically depending upon your graphic arts skills, creativity and the clients you work for.
A great graphic arts job search engine to get familiar with real graphic arts jobs that are currently out there is at 3D Jobs.
