Bring ideas to life through design.

Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators turn concepts into visual and audio communication across print, film, electronic and digital media. You consult with clients and stakeholders to define objectives, research communication needs, and develop design concepts. You prepare sketches, diagrams, illustrations and layouts to share ideas, and negotiate solutions with management, sales and production staff. Your role includes selecting and recommending materials and media, documenting designs for production, and supervising or carrying out the final work. You may also archive information for future client use, ensuring designs remain accessible and adaptable.

For more information:
Australian Graphic Design Association – South Australia
Email: sa@agda.com.au
Website: www.agda.com.au

While there are 21% who have no formal qualifications it is recommended that further study be undertaken to remain competitive in the industry.

TAFE SA offers courses relevant to this occupation including the Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design, and Certificate IV in Design.

Still Unsure! Then try one of the many short courses also offered through TAFE SA. Check the website for the full list of short courses.

Competition for jobs is intense and many employers consider the graduate's portfolio to be the deciding factor. Students, therefore, need to be on the lookout for projects that add something more to their own portfolio. Getting to know the industry first hand and personal networking also helps. There are great opportunities in multimedia and web design, particularly with the Internet becoming an inexpensive way to sell a product or service. There is a backlash against the traditional websites that first appeared on the Internet. The Internet was traditionally a field dominated by techno-gurus who didn't know anything about design. Fortunately technology has come a long way since then.

Traditional graphic design houses are increasingly taking on multimedia and website work. Opportunities for designers also exist in marketing and business management services, printing and publishing and other areas such as computer service firms and post-school education. Surprisingly, only a handful actually work in film, video, radio and television. With years of experience, graphic designers may choose to become art directors in advertising firms and also the media.

The sorts of things that designers bring to life include:
*websites;
*multimedia products like CD-ROM's,
*video games and information kiosks;
*publications like newspaper and magazine advertisements;
*trademarks and corporate logos;
*TV graphics;
*magazines, books, posters and brochures;
*signs and billboards; and
*even Disney movies!

If you become a Graphic and Multimedia Designer you can work in a variety of different areas.

Designers generally work indoors in well lit and ventilated offices. Many also work from their homes. The designer's main tools are drawing boards and computer software packages. If you want to get into graphics today you need to be proficient in Apple Macintosh. All the colleges use Macs and software packages such as PhotoShop, Quark and Illustrator. It is also important to have excellent communication skills since there is a high level of client liaison, sometimes trying to sell or pitch ideas. You have to be able to sell a design idea and the first impression is really important. Sometimes the client won't like it, but by the time the meeting finishes, you need to convince them of your idea's worth. You may also use basic psychology, knowing how to read people's behaviour and somehow convincing them that your ideas are worthy of their financial investment.

Designers usually work between 40 and 50 hours per week. They may have to work long and irregular hours in order to meet deadlines, so designers must be flexible and able to work under lots of pressure. You'll also be operating within a team, so enjoying working closely with people is essential for one to succeed in this occupation. If you decide to start your own business, be prepared to work more than 40 hours a week since you'll also be doing the marketing, finding the customers and keeping the paper work sorted out. The potential for high earnings is also there.

For further information, contact:

Australian Graphic Design Association
Phone: (08) 8410 9228
Fax: (08) 8276 8003
Email: secretariat@agda.com.au
Website: http://www.agda.com.au

Design Institute of Australia (National Office)
Phone: 1300 888 056
Email: admin@design.org.au
Website: www.design.org.au