It’s Super Bowl time! Everyone always looks forward to the Super Bowl not just for the big football game, but for their well known hilarious commercials that come out. The job I researched is in charge of making those funny commercials that people can’t wait to see. I did my research on being a Graphic artist. I chose to research being a graphic artist, because I find it very interesting, and hope maybe to pursue this career. Graphic artists depend incredibly on the public.
Graphic artists create artwork, illustrate or promote products, services and idea as well as art work used to improve appearance or attract attention (Michigan Occupational Information system 1). They create advertisements to teach the public about products the public may purchase (Sauer 1). I find their work very exciting. People depend on graphic artists greatly to choose what is the best advertisement for their companies. They plan design and draw illustrations for displays, billboards, catalogs, books, magazines, newspapers, television, and packaging.
Michigan Occupational Information system 1) Being a graphic artist is a rewarding job because you can see the results of your hard work. I feel that I am a very creative and artistic person, therefore I would be very good at this job. I work well with people and can have the patience to deal with the public. What does their work consist of? Graphic artists have six general job tasks in developing a commercial or in their art. First they study the design, layout or propose a sketch. Second they select the technique best suited to produce the desired visual effects to conform to the printing method specified.
Next they formulate the concept and create the design. The following step is to produce the details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference material. They discuss the illustrations at various stages of completion with appropriate individuals and make necessary changes or solve problems. Last they send their work to be printed (Michigan Occupational Information system 1). Most graphic artists use computer software, which are the internet, C-D ROM, etc. , to design new images (“Visual Arts” 240).
Graphic design is more commonly done on a Mackintosh than on a PC; many have both types of computers though (“Graphic Designers” 158). On their computers they can create real images of people, nature, etc. for their work (“Visual Arts” 239). Graphic artists are not definitely fine artists, because they can use their computers for their work, although they may be great at painting or drawing (“Graphic Designers” 158). To create good images on their computers graphic artists must be familiar with typefaces and how to manipulate them just right for an effect.
They must also be familiar with classic design and have a good knowledge of how colors, shapes, and layouts effect the viewer’s psychology (“Graphic Designers” 158). A Graphic artist may work with a team or alone. The team may have an art director giving general supervision. Though many may work with a group the majority of graphic artists work alone. Many have the same set of clients for a base income before they get new jobs as freelancers (Michigan Occupational Information System 1). Generally the area in which graphic artists work is clean and well lit.
Their offices might be in places such as office buildings, art studios, department stores, or printing industrial plants. Artists spend most of their time by a computer or at a drawing board (Michigan Occupational System 1). What about the money? “Earnings for a self employed graphic artists vary widely” (“Visual Arts” 241). Freelance artists can set their own rates etc. , therefore their salary is very different from each other or from a salary artists working for a company. The top 10% of graphic artists make more than $43,000, where as the bottom 10% earn less than $15,000 (“Visual Arts” 241).
Working hours are a big factor on whether to go into an occupation or not. Commercial artists on salary usually work 35-40 hours weekly. “They may be required to work irregular hours over overtime during emergencies to meet a deadline” (Michigan Occupational System 1). Graphic artists employed by publishing companies and art and design studios generally work a standard 40-hour week. Freelance artists have flexible, irregular, and long hours (“Visual Arts” 240). Self employed graphic artists can set their own hours, but may spend a lot of time and effort with customers and clients, to help establish their reputation (“Visual Arts” 240).
According to Marcus Cambron, the photographer at Visual Presentations they do a lot of work that “lasts all year around,” for their big annual production of Thunder Over Louisville. “Thunder is our biggest event and it can take a lot of time to coordinate. ” (M. Cambron) The process of designing can be pretty simple. Once a design has been approved the graphic designer prepares the design for professional production or printing. “The printer may require a ‘mechanical’ in which the artwork and copy are arranged on a white board just as it will be photographed.
The designer may also be asked to submit an electronic copy of the design (“Graphic Designers” 158). How do graphic artists effect our lives? “A lot of products we use everyday were designed by commercial artists. ” Commercial artists design many of the television and radio shows, about sale products. Artists that specialize in video presentations make most of the commercials that you see on TV. (Sauer 1) “Artists may also be responsible for the overall layout and design of magazines, newspapers, journals, and other publications” (“Visual Arts” 240).
Video games, touch screen displays in stores and even laser light are all products of multimedia graphic designers (“Graphic Designers”160). Although they do things for commercials they also do things that affect our lives through other big companies. Some designers focus on “Corporate Identity” such as logos and stationary for a company. (“Graphic Designer” 158) An example is again my job shadow company. They do a lot of work for Kroger by producing all their commercials and advertisements. David Cambron the graphic artist for Visual Presentations said “Kroger is our biggest customer. D. Cambron)
So graphic artists play a big role in our lives and we depend a lot on them to let us know what new products etc. that are out or what companies there are that we may need to call etc. Similar to any other occupation, graphic artists have certain educational requirements. “Artists usually develop their skills through the Bachelor’s degree program or other post-secondary training in art or design (“Visual Arts” 239). According to a survey done by the American Institute of Graphic Art 9 out of 10 artists have a college degree.
Among that same group 6 out of the 10 majored in graphic design. Again out of the same group nearly 2 out of the10 majored in fine arts and 2 out of the 10 have a Masters degree (“Visual Arts” 241). The best way to enter the field of graphic design is to have a strong portfolio (“Graphic Designers” 159). “Evidence of appropriate talent and skill, is displayed in an artists portfolio which they create usually through college. ” The portfolio is a collection of hand made, computer generated, or printed examples of an artist’s best work.
Assembling a successful portfolio requires skills usually developed in a Bachelors degree program or other post secondary training in art (“Visual Arts” 241). Beginners can create their portfolio using work from school, in art school, from part time jobs they did, or freelance jobs. The portfolio should continually be updated, to show growing skills, so that it will always be ready for possible job changes (“Graphic Designers”159). Internships also provide great opportunities for artists to develop and make their portfolios better (“Visual Arts” 241).
Competition for this job is expected from the freelancers and the salaried jobs because of the glamorous and exciting images that this talent attract many people who carry this talent. (Amirault 239) Chances for employment is very good for graphic designers through 2005, especially those involved with computer design. (Brymer 239) About 60% of Graphic artists are self employed about 7 times the amount in all professional occupations. (Amirault 239) Employment is expected to grow faster than average occupations through the year 2006. (Amirault 241)
Part of researching my career was to Job Shadow someone in the Graphic arts field. I went to Visual Presentations who does a lot of work for Kroger advertisements and commercials. They also, are in charge of the Advertisements for Thunder over Louisville and for the zoo on Halloween. I learned a lot on my visit to Visual Presentations. I had hands on experience making a commercial for Thunder over Louisville. You really need to be computer educated to be a graphic artist. With out computer skills you can not become a successful graphic artist.
Everything that he showed me was on his computers. Graphic artists are needed today and their buisness will continue to grow. They are a bog part our lives. Whenever you turn in the TV, drive down the highway and see a billboard, or even some of the mail you get, you see the work of a graphic artist. I hope to someday become a Graphic artist and maybe open my own buisness. I know that my research has helped me a lot to know exactly what I want to be, and has helped give me some guidance in reaching my dream.