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.
Derby
From our Birmingham and Manchester offices, through our 10+ years experience operating within the Marketing, PR, brand and communications industry, we have gained valuable knowledge of how our markets operate.
Supplying both Permanent and Temporary staff, we specialise in the FMCG, Software, Manufacturing, Retail, E-Commerce, Charity, Technology, Agency and Professional Service sectors to name a few.
Below you will see all the roles we are currently recruiting for in Derby. However if you are willing to search outside of this area, also have a look at all of our current roles.
Considering relocating:
Derby was one of the crucibles of Britain’s Industrial Revolution: a sleepy market town was transformed almost overnight into a major manufacturing centre, producing everything from silk, to bone china trains and Rolls-Royce aircraft engines.
Derby is a city that is undergoing a period of transition and redevelopment that will ensure its growing appeal as an ideal place to live and work, having received significant investment in the last few years thanks to a major regeneration plan. This will include a new hi-tech business park, which will further strengthen its role in the aerospace, rail and automotive industries. Other key industry sectors in the region include software and IT, Creative and Nunclear research & development. All of this means Derby has one of the highest skilled workforces in the UK and boasts the highest average salary outside London.
The city centre has a rich mix of arts, tourism and cultural venues that will appeal to all tastes, along with a passionate sporting tradition, in particular for football, cricket and motor racing.
