Graphic Designer
Graphic Designers combine strong conceptual design capabilities with equally strong Mac skills, so must have a high level of expertise with all the common Adobe Creative Suite products (Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator in particular).
A graphic designer’s role is to work closely with other members of the client services, brand and marketing teams to bring all forms of brand communications to life. The best designers combine a keen brand and commercial awareness, with natural creative flair, in order to create work that is both in line with brand guidelines and that creates stand out in their respective industry sector.
The core responsibilities for graphic designers are largely the same, however, there are variations depending on the environment they are working in. For example, in branding or design agencies, graphic designers are generally responsible for all conceptual creative input and ideation, under the guidance of a Creative or Design Director. However, in advertising agencies, it is still common to have conceptual teams, comprised of an Art Director and a Copywriter, who develop the overall campaign concepts, which a graphic designer then takes and uses their design skill to translate the ideas in to beautifully crafter design.
It’s important that graphic designers have a real understanding of layout, typography and different forms of brand communications. They’ll be involved in projects ranging from full advertising campaigns (including press adverts, billboards and posters), to direct mail, brand development, logos, brochures, point of sale (POS), packaging and other forms of corporate literature.
In some smaller agencies where there isn’t the luxury of separate conceptual and artwork teams, graphic designers are responsible for taking briefs from initial concept development, through to final artwork. Therefore, a designer with excellent artwork skills is always highly favoured.
Some graphic designers may deal directly with their clients, or internal stakeholders if you’re working in an in-house design studio. Those working in an agency will often take briefs from an account manager who has responsibility for client contact. You’ll then work to a brief agreed with the client, creative director and account manager. It’s therefore essential that you’re a team player and comfortable working with a wide range of people.
In smaller agencies and in-house teams, graphic designers are increasingly required to have good digital design skills, so that campaigns can be developed that work effectively across all media channels and devices. This covers everything from responsive web design, to email templates, banner adverts and mobile apps. This isn’t the case for all creative departments as many have specialist digital designers and front-end developers, but a combination of graphic and digital design skills is likely to become more and more desirable.
Salary wise outside of London the role generally pays between £20,000 to £40,000 depending on regional variance and level of experience.
Bristol
Once an international centre for heavy industry, the last few decades has cemented the jewel in the crown of the Southwest, reinvented as a thumping hub of culture and creativity. From Clifton's iconic awe-inspiring suspension bridge to Brunel's ground-breaking steamship, it's a city engulfed in historical interest. And yet it’s also known for its alternative character, where you'll find a wealth of art collectives, community-run cafes and music venues dotted in and around the streets – not to mention murals left behind by the city's most notorious artiste, the ever mischievous and often controversial Banksy.
Bristol's modern economy is built on the creative media industry, manufacturing electronics and research and development into aerospace technologies. The revamped city-centre docks have been revitalised as information and educational centres of heritage and culture. With two city universities, the University of the West of England and the University of Bristol and a variety of art and sports organisations and venues including the Royal West of England Academy, Arnolfini, Spike Island, and the Memorial Stadium.
Connected to London and other major UK cities by road, rail, sea and air, thanks to the M5, M4, Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway rail stations and Bristol Airport. A hugely popular tourist destination, Bristol was selected in 2009 as one of the world's top ten cities by international travel publishers Eyewitness. The Sunday Times awarded Bristol the title of best city to live in, in Great Britain and it also won the European Green Capital Award in 2015.
Bristol is a popular relocation destination for Londoners due to a highly creative range of design agencies. It also hosts many financial service businesses offering a thrilling mixed climate of corporate and creative.
