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.
City of London
One of the world's most visited cities – founded by the Romans and named ‘Londinium’, London has something for everyone! Immersed in history with fascinating antiquity and splendour everywhere you look: London’s buildings are milestones in the city’s unique biography, World Heritage Sites and landmarks such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Shard, the London Eye complement the architectural grandeur of the West End’s theatres, the enthralling remains of England’s many bygone eras and today’s charming society housed in the cultural hubs and public houses in and around the banks of the River Thames. Central London is where to find major museums such as the British and Victoria & Albert, galleries such as the Tate Modern and iconic sights such as the centuries-old Borough Market, and yet you can visit Hampstead Heath or the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to escape the crowds and even venture out to Kew Gardens, Richmond or Hampton Court Palace for excellent panoramas of London – all easily accessed thanks to the London Underground, the oldest underground railway network in the world. The modern conurbation of London includes the small district of the City of London and the county of Greater London. A leading global city with international strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development and tourism. London's 43 universities form the highest concentration of educational institutions in Europe, helping the city to rank highly the world’s multimedia development and technology markets.
With the UK advertising industry estimated to be worth in excess of £20 billion in 2016, this puts London as a worldwide leader and powerhouse for the creative and industry. Widely regarded to host some of the best creative output in the world, it’s no surprising that the majority of marketers and creatives in the UK are based in the capital.
