LANDSCAPE OF DESIGN

studio types / job types / job titles

studio types

—Boutique Design Studio / Independent Studio—Marketing / Advertising Agency—In-House Studio-Package Design-Museums/galleries-Retail Corporations-Architecture Firms-Publishing Houseetc etc etc

job types

Digital DesignMultimedia

DesignType DesignFilm Title DesignTelevision

GraphicsExhibit DesignSignage DesignPackage DesignEnvironmental

DesignSurface Design

Publication Systems

Educational Design

Magazine DesignIllustrationIdentity DesignSystems DesignCorporate

CommunicationNonprofit Design

Design EntrepreneurCorporate ExecutiveProfessor of DesignDesign PlanningInformation DesignBook Design (cover &

interiors)Digital Production DesignLettering & Type DesignBroadcast DesignMap Design

job titles

Job titles and descriptions vary in our field based on the type of agency it might be. Read about the various descriptions to get a general idea of what you might be interested in at this point in your career and what you might like to work towards. Before an interview, review a specific job description so that you can understand exactly how that organization defines the role.

job titles

entry level designerAn entry-level designer is one-to-two years out of

school and requires mentoring in all aspects of design conception and implementation.

job titles

junior designerUsually employed straight from college and will

generally be considered ‘junior’ for up to two years. Junior Designers will lay out pages, draw logos, redraw logos, do text corrections.

job titles

designer / junior art directorUsually already has a professional portfolio, probably

has worked on parts of larger campaigns and a few smaller projects of their own, able to take design briefs and implement them, but will still be overseen by a Senior Designer or Art Director.

job titles

senior designerGenerally 3–5 years experience, ideally be adept at

taking briefs and may have more client liaison experience. Each project is not seen in isolation, but part of a campaign.

job titles

art directorAn Art Director in a graphic design agency fulfills a

very different role to that of one in an advertising agency, which can deal predominantly with advising photographers, graphic designers, programmers, writers, rather than making things.

job titles

creative directorOften come from a marketing background, involved

in meetings, more concerned with higher level issues of branding and marketing and would have a lot more direct contact with the client.

job titles

print production artistA print production artist has a working understanding

of layout, type and color and is able to take instructions from a designer and create a complete layout, working proficiently in InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Responsibilities also include producing final files that image properly to film.

job titles

print production managerThe print production manager is responsible for

managing the process (bids, scheduling, production and delivery) of producing publications, from concept through production, including photography, separations, 4-color press work and digital production. Print production managers are strong project managers, managing multiple jobs simultaneously. In some cases, proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop is desirable in this role.

job titles

copywriterA copywriter is able to write, edit and proof

promotional or publicity copy for print or electronic publications. At higher levels, copywriters are often responsible for strategic and conceptual development of messages and stories, and may have roles as art directors.

job titles

web designerA web designer determines and develops the look

and feel for sites and is responsible for site navigation design and visual execution.

job titles

mobile designer (UX/UI)A mobile designer determines and develops the look

and feel for mobile apps and is responsible for user interface, user experience and navigation design and visual execution.

job titles

web developer (front end/interface systems)A front-end developer uses

HTML/JavaScript/ASP/ColdFusion and other tools to develop static and dynamic web pages.

job titles

web developer /developer (back end systems)A back end programmer works with web server

systems and web databases, develops web queries to databases and programs web applications.

job titles

web producer, senior producer, executive producer

A web producer organizes web development teams and ensures adherence to budget, schedule and design of website development.

job titles

content developerA content developer is also known as a web writer or

editor. He or she is responsible for the production and repurposing of text/graphic/audio content on sites.

job titles

other search termsgraphic artist, pre-press specialist, information

architect, digital artist, desktop publishing, visual communications, multimedia specialist, etc etc etc

so, what type of job do YOU want?

1. Read advice article by Frank Chimero and write a response

2. Identify your short-term and long-term career goals

3. Find 5 job postings/grad schools/apprenticeships, etc thatfit with your goals (AIGA, Designalogue, Behance, Design Observer, etc)

*post all to blog. note: blog posts are expected to be very well written.