Let’s say a client has come to you (as a graphic designer) asking you to create a brochure containing a range of design elements. Is it the graphic designers job to draw any illustrations used in the brochure or is that down to an illustrator? What about the photography? Should it be the graphic designer who takes photographs for the project or should that fall into the hands of a photographer. How about the copy? Should that be written by a copywriter? The obvious answers to all of these are no, they are not the job of a graphic designer and in each case they should be handed to the specialists. So, if that is true, what is the graphic designers job? In this case the graphic designer could be seen as overseeing the whole project ensuring that everyone involved is working towards the same goal set out by the client. However, just to put a spanner in the works, couldn’t a marketeer or the client themselves manage the project if they have a clear understanding of what they are trying to achieve and what they need to do to achieve it? (more…)

When you are starting a new project which requires help from a graphic designer it’s important that the client supplies a full and healthy brief. This brief shouldn’t merely be a shopping list of requirements:

1 x logo
1 x A4 brochure
1 x business card

The brief should inform the designer about the company and its values as well as the objectives of the project. Amends to artwork take up valuable time and can incur extra costs. To ensure that projects are delivered on time and on budget check out the following tips: (more…)

We all stand back in awe when we see a particularly fine piece of design and the creator usually receives a great deal of credit for their masterpiece, whether it be illustration, animation or graphic design. Everyone likes this type of jaw dropping design work, it’s inspiring and exciting.

Even us designers forget that design is all around us and take for granted the time and effort that goes into the design work that isn’t as jaw dropping, sexy or exciting. Every time we read something that flows well or flick through a book that we can navigate with ease, we are enjoying good design work that we don’t give any credit to. Magazine layout, telephone directories, NHS leaflets, technical documents etc.. they are all important documents, and it is important to get the design right, but do we give the mac operators, the layout artists, magazine production artists a pat on the back? No, it’s very rare that these designers get the respect and recognition they deserve. (more…)