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Job Title: Graphic Designer
Type of Company: I work in the communications department of a large insurance company doing all the design and production for the CE0 and for corporate events.
Education: BA, Communications, Fitchburg State College (Fitchburg, MA)
Previous Experience: I started out as a CSR at a print company and moved from there pre-press and then to Senior Designer.
Job Tasks: My responsibilities include meeting with clients for creative briefings, providing schedules and timelines, and creating designs for the project we're working on. Most projects are for high-level corporate events or trade shows. Each event will have a specific theme, normally, with hard deadlines for delivery of several elements for the event. Each event starts with a kick-off meeting with client, design and production. we then split up, with creative going off and developing concepts, production researching prices and developing timelines for printing and delivery. Once a concept is chosen, it is put into production for delivery to the event.
My job entails working with different personalities, coordinating different aspects of the project, and acting as liaison between client, design, production, printers and distributors.
Best and Worst Parts of the Job: The best part of the job is seeing a concept developed that exceeds the client's expectations and is delivered to him on or ahead of schedule. Also I love working with the different personalities.
The most challenging part of the job is helping the client understand the process and all the areas of the job that add time to the schedule.
Job Tips:
1. Take as many internships as you can in areas that you are interested over the summer or during school breaks.
2. Even if the job does not seem ideal at the time, if it is in the environment you wish to be in, take the position, and learn as much about the industry or product as you can.
3. Be willing to do the little tasks that don't seem so important, and do them to the best of your ability. Hard work and a thirst for knowledge always goes further than a GPA or the name of your alma mater.
Additional Thoughts: In the world of graphic design, we are a dime a dozen. Learn the programs and have an understanding for all aspects of the process for conception to print. The more you know about all aspects of what you are doing, even if it is not part of your "job title" the better your understanding will be of how to go about problem-solving and meeting the client's true needs.
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