Job Roles and Responsibilities in Canada. Graphic Designers and Graphic Technicians

Transcription

1 Job Roles and Responsibilities in Canada Graphic Designers and Graphic Technicians

2 Acknowledgments Winnipeg Technical College and the Department of Labour and Immigration of Manitoba wish to express sincere appreciation to all contributors. Special acknowledgments are extended to the following individuals: Manola Barlow, Independent Contractor Sarah McDowell, Independent Contractor Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, Winnipeg Technical College Grace Leduc, Curriculum Development, Winnipeg Technical College Debora Bomback, Production Art Instructor, Winnipeg Technical College Funding for this project has been provided by The Citizenship and Multiculturalism Division, Manitoba Department of Labour and Immigration. Disclaimer Statements and opinions in this document do not reflect those of Winnipeg Technical College or the project funder, Citizenship and Multicultural Division, Manitoba Department of Labour and Immigration. The information is gathered from a variety of sources and is current and accurate as of the revision date noted. This information is subject to change and will not be further updated. It is the responsibility of the reader to seek current statistics and information. Please contact the Winnipeg Technical College at or if you have questions about the contents of this document 2

3 Table of Contents Introduction Description Where They Find Work Language Requirements Skills Main Duties The Importance of Safety in Canada Work Environment Earnings Education/Training Employment Requirements Career Paths Employment Opportunities Professional Associations and Unions References

4 Introduction Graphic designers work in a variety of settings in Manitoba. The knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a graphic designer is necessary when thinking about enrolling in technical training. The information provided in this booklet will help you in your studies and will increase your awareness of the roles and responsibilities of graphic designers. A detailed description of job duties, employment requirements, skills, education and training are all included in this package. Description Graphic designers think of ideas and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as web sites and CD-ROMs. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this unit group. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely selfemployed. They are classified in the National Occupational Analysis (NOC), under #5241, Graphic Designers and Illustrators. Example Titles Advertising designer Cartoonist Commercial artist Cyber-graphic designer Graphic artist Multimedia illustrator Scientific illustrator Graphic designer Graphic designer -- multimedia, interactive media or new media Graphic technician Illustrator Layout designer Medical illustrator 4

5 Where They Find Work Professional scientific and technical service 43% Arts, entertainment and recreation 3% Manufacturing 27% Other services 3% Information and culture 3% Wholesale Trade 2% Retail Trade 3% Language Requirements Graphic designers and graphic technicians should be able to communicate clearly in English in order to do their job well. It is very important to employers that you have good oral communication skills so you can communicate with them and with your co-workers. It is important to note that language entrance requirements and test requirements vary in different colleges. Contact the colleges to see what is required. Recommended Canadian Language Benchmark Levels for Graphic Designers and Graphic Technicians 1 Speaking Listening Reading Writing Recommended TOEFL scores 2 Paper Based Computer Based Internet Based For those individuals where English is an Additional Language (EAL), it is recommended that you take a Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test to 1 Note: This occupation/training has not been formally benchmarked. 2 These are the current TOEFL entrance requirements at some colleges. 5

6 determine your level of English, and to see which English classes are available to you. Contact the Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre for an appointment: Skills Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B3 Phone: Graphic designers and illustrators need the following skills: Interest in visual art, expression of creativity and the ability to draw or paint Ability to describe ideas in creative ways Ability to pay attention to fine details and focus on completing a task (editing manuals, proofreading documents, checking for grammar and spelling errors.) Good organizational skills Ability to work quickly to meet deadlines Ability to deal with stress Good colour vision Flexibility in working with others' ideas and accepting criticism Interest in keeping up with new developments in graphic design Good computer design skills Business and marketing skills (optional), which include preparing specifications, estimating costs, making presentations and negotiating with clients Do you have many of these skills? 6

7 Main Duties Graphic designers perform some or all of the following duties: Meet with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials to fulfill their needs Determine which type of visual art will be best suited to produce desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication Develop the graphic elements that meet client objectives Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects, using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet the client's communications needs Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers Coordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as web sites, CD-ROMs, interactive terminals, etc Coordinate subcontracting Work with other trades and professionals Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians Illustrators perform some or all of the following duties: Meet with clients to determine the nature and content of illustrations to fulfill their communications needs Develop and produce realistic or representational sketches and final illustrations, by hand or using computer-aided design (CAD) software, for printed materials, such as books, magazines, packaging, greeting cards, stationery, etc. 7

8 Assist in developing storyboards (a series of drawings/images planned) for electronic productions, such as multimedia, interactive and digital products, television advertising and productions, etc. Produce 2-D and 3-D animated drawings or computer illustrations May modify existing illustrations Do you think you would enjoy doing the work described above? The Importance of Safety in Canada Safety in the workplace is very important in Canada. If your employer sees you are not listening to the safety rules, you may be fired immediately. The company is responsible for: Training employees how to work safely Telling employees about things that are dangerous in the workplace Giving employees safety equipment and make sure they wear it The employee is responsible for: Following the company s safety rules (sometimes called policies ) Wearing safety equipment Telling the supervisor if they see something that is dangerous Not doing anything that they think is unsafe It is your responsibility to ask questions when you don t understand. 8

9 Work Environment Graphic designers and graphic technicians usually work indoors, primarily within advertising companies, graphic design firms or companies that have advertising departments. Illustrators commonly work on a freelance basis out of their own homes or in studios. Work schedules will vary according to employer and project requirements. Most graphic designers and illustrating artists work fulltime (82%). Self-employment in these occupations is fairly common (27%). Illustrators who create medical or scientific illustrations are usually paid a flat fee. Those who create illustrations for picture books are usually paid a percentage of the royalties. Earnings In Manitoba 3 $20, per annum - starting $34, per annum - average $62, per annum - high Average in Canada Hourly wage: $ Education / Training Red River College offers a two-year Graphic Design Diploma Program and a one-year Advanced Diploma Program. Red River College also offers a certificate program in Graphic Communications through the Continuing Education Division approximately after 2-4 years of experience. 9

10 Winnipeg Technical College offers a 10-month program in Production Art Robertson College, a private vocational institution, offers a program in this field Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in Visual Arts and Communication Graphic Illustrators: The School of Art at the University of Manitoba offers the following programs: o Bachelor of Fine Arts B.F.A. (Studio Degree), three- and four- year programs; o Bachelor of Fine Arts B.F.A. (Art History), three- and four-year programs, and o Fine Art Diploma, four-year programs. Employment Requirements 5 A portfolio (a set of pieces of creative work) is necessary to demonstrate ability Post-secondary education in graphic arts or in visual arts with specialization in graphic design is usually preferred Experience or training in multimedia design may be required Technical illustrators must have a background in sciences or technology Career Paths Junior graphic designers may start in production jobs to gain experience. Illustrators may specialize in fields, such as advertising, technical illustration, cartoon drawing and multimedia design

11 With experience graphic designers may move to positions in advertising sales. Progression to senior design positions, editing and management is possible with experience. Employment Opportunities Employment prospects for graphic designers and illustrators are expected to be limited in the period 2006 to Employment in Manitoba in 2006 is estimated at 1,035. Many of the jobs for graphic designers and illustrators are located in Winnipeg. Employment opportunities with graphic design firms usually result from turnover, and there may be many qualified applicants competing for available positions. There are limited opportunities for print illustrators due to the small size of the publishing industry in the province, although Illustrators may be self-employed and fulfill contracts for services from anywhere in the world. Web site development on the Internet has resulted in a significant increase in demand for the work of graphic designers in recent years. It will continue to be the major factor driving job growth for graphic designers with the skills to work in both the print and electronic media. Flexography is the fastest growing area in graphic design and there should be many opportunities for flexographers. Professional Associations Advertising Association of Winnipeg, 280 Vernon Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 2V9, (204) , Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, Manitoba Chapter, P.O. Box 27018, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3Z0, (204) , Manitoba Sign Association, 211 Sheppard Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3A1 11

12 Manitoba Press Council, Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 0K8, (204) , fax (204) , Winnipeg Press Club, 331 Smith Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2G9, (204) , References Manitoba Job Futures. Retrieved March 5, 2007, from Updated: April