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.
Cardiff
The capital of Wales since 1955, Cardiff has embraced the relatively new title with vivacity, entering the new millennium as one of the UK’s leading urban centres. Boasting an ancient fort and an ultramodern waterfront, it now draws much more than rugby fans to the revitalised city; the weekend brings a buzz as shoppers hit the Hayes and revellers descend on the capital's thriving pubs, bars and live-music venues. It’s the largest city in Wales and the tenth largest city in the UK and as Wales’ chief commercial centre, it is the base for national cultural and sports institutions including the Cardiff International Sports Village and a BBC Drama Village, the Welsh national media and the National Assembly for Wales. In 2011, Cardiff was ranked sixth in National Geographic's alternative tourist destinations of the world. Celebrated sporting venues in the city include the world famous Millennium Stadium, the national stadium for the Wales national rugby team, Glamorgan County Cricket Club’s SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff City Stadium of Cardiff City football team, Cardiff International Sports Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park, home to the Cardiff Blues and Cardiff Rugby Football Club union teams. The city has been awarded the title of European City of Sport twice due to hosting major international sporting events, including the 2012 Summer Olympics
