This article is intended to help you understand the nature of today's computerized graphic arts industry. It is an extremely large field but more than that, it is dispersed widely throughout all of our industries as well. Therefore, graphic artists do a wide variety of work, so much so that it is often difficult to prepare for all the tasks in use in the world today. Therefore, this attempt is to help you understand this complexity it in a more logical way. Since many different perspectives are to be presented, you may not agree with all of them. This disagreement is more of an expression of your personal tastes and a hint that these areas are probably not those you wish to pursue as a career choice. Read on!
What is graphic arts?
Graphic artists create visual presentations for written communications turning ordinary words and ideas into visually pleasing and effective communications in print and on the web. It is not the actual writing but the transformation of the words that is in our field with creative typography and pleasing layouts and designs. We also work with graphics and photographic images in artistic and creative ways to make our works more interesting and inspiring to the readers or viewers.Graphic artists are actually masters of media and an understanding of media is very useful. But in doing so, you must understand the function of the media and the purpose of the works being designed and produced. It is your responsibility to enhance the message of the authors, be it a simple letter that you should make sure people will read or a catalog that readers will not be annoyed spending time trying to find what they want to buy. The media is the message is a very accurate description of the communications process for we need graphic artists to manipulate the media through the effective use of typography, graphics, layout and design.
Graphic arts work requires creativity and your work must be visually pleasing. You must have imagination and a sense of good quality design to produce interesting work. Can you think of different looks for the very same type copy you start with? Can you use pictures and words together to produce work that people will want to pick up, look at, read and respond favorably to? What we call Graphic Design is actually the most creative and artistic extreme of the graphic arts field. There really isn't that much difference except in the opportunity or requirement to express one's self more artistically. Be careful that some jobs labeled graphic design may offer less creative opportunity that others that may be called something like Mac Operator or Quark Operator. Each opportunity must be evaluated so look beyond these often times vague keywords.
But you do not need to be a fine artist skilled in all traditional art media such as drawing and painting. True, these disciplines help you expand your creative and artistic sense and your skills will be improved with training in the fine arts. But this is not always necessary. What is actually required is an artistic sense of knowing that your work is artistically pleasing and visually effective. This can be developed with a great deal of study of your work and the works of others. What makes a work appealing and how can you use those techniques in your own work? Can you discover new ways of expressing your customer's words and pictures that are fresh and creative? Beginners make mistakes and, through lack of experience, produce work that is uninspiring. But time will correct this so long as you work at it and strive to improve your sense of creativity.
But graphic arts is also a service; production work. Although our work must be artistically pleasing we are not actually in the business of producing works of art. It is more that we must express our art through the demands of everyday production work. There is a balance between art and production and more often than not, unfortunately, production wins. There is just so much art we can put into our work so we must learn to think artistically and produce artistic work in a reasonable amount of production work. Many beginners fail to recognize this point because real art cannot be forced into a production time frame. All graphic arts work is scheduled and must be completed on the basis of production terms and this reduce things like typographic art to, "How fast can you type?" Or how quickly can you create an illustration of a teacup that everyone will recognize as a teacup? Beginners who wish to express art and disregard production time will not survive for long. After all, who is paying for the service? We cannot write a blank check to cover our artistic idealism, we can only charge for reasonable production time.
There is a technical side to this field that many people at first don't realize. It is the responsibility of the graphic artist to insure that the project can be printed successfully on a printing press. A lot of knowledge and skill is required to make sure the projects not only look nice but can be produced as well. Web designers will have to work with computer programming and make sure web surfers will see exactly what they want them to see and not some disorganized mess caused by poor programming. The entire field of Pre-Press is actually a branch of graphic arts where you check and fix files before they are printed making them work with the printing equipment. Although there is little art at this end of the field, pre-press technicians must be prepared to fix any problems and do so with an artistic sensitivity toward the intentions of the designers.Today's graphic artists work on computers with various programs and equipment to transform raw words and pictures into finished printed (or web) projects. We must be skilled computer operators with a full working knowledge of the setup, maintenance and troubleshooting of that computer and the programs on it we must use in our work. We must continue to learn about the computer technology that applies to our work constantly keeping pace with new developments and emerging technologies. Further, our programs are always changing with new versions giving us more flexibility for creative expression and increased productivity. We cannot afford to fall behind in the area of computer technology.
Another concept of the graphic arts field is that it is extremely wide with many different applications of what could be called graphic arts. There is newspaper work, magazines and even web sites that all need to be produced and produced artistically pleasing. Some graphic artists are actually working in manufacturing producing graphic works for products such as packaging and all that printed stuff found in boxes of new products. Oh yes, instruction books, too. Graphic designers produce printed works for any company that has a need to communicate with their customers. And there is the freelance graphic artist prepared to help customers with their visual communications needs with brochures, catalogs, letters, sell sheets and even web pages up to and including the design of online virtual stores and much, much more. Many companies hire graphic artists to work in their offices producing their own communications. These graphic artists will have to coordinate their efforts with the printers and web masters to insure success of each and every project.The world of communications would be very plain and boring were it not for the many graphic artists striving to make their customer's works the most noticeable. It is a question of art, taste, quality and pleasing the viewer so that they will respond favorably. This service is necessary or the sales go to some other company with the better graphics (considering equality in product or service).
What graphic arts isn't
There are also a number of misconceptions that you should be aware of because you may get advice that is not exactly correct for graphic arts industry in general. Many of these ideas are the results of experiences in small segments of the overall industry and really cannot be applied across the entire field of graphic arts. Realize that the field is actually a giant collection of specializations so you shouldn't stress the value of any one specialization and ignore others.Today's graphic arts is not yesterday's paste-up! Many years ago a lot of graphic artists did paste-up, or actually assembled type and illustration images onto boards with glue or wax (not paste, which was found to be unacceptable) producing finished pages for graphic projects. Today we work on computers also setting type that yesterday typesetters sent as finished type to paste-up artists. Today's graphic artists must be highly trained in typography; both mechanical typesetting as well as having a good sense of typographic quality. Today's graphic artists also must manipulate photographic and other images as part of their work where in the past other technicians working on large cameras did that work. This adds the responsibility of working with images making sure they will print properly as well as look nice. Yesterday's paste-up artists did very little of this. You see, today's graphic artists do everything that yesterday's paste-up artists did and a lot more! Yet people have this lingering mentality about the past. Be careful. There is much more to today's graphic arts jobs than ever before. It is much more technical so don't think of it as yesterday's glue bottle work!
Graphic arts is not fine art. True, there are some graphic artists that produce artwork that customers will buy and hang on their walls, but this is just another of the many specializations. For the most part, we are production workers required to produce artistically pleasing production work. The image of the "starving artist" does not belong in this field at all. We are stuck (for lack of a better word) with the requirements of production and that will always limit our artistic expression. Another serious problem: deadlines! Our customers can't wait for us to produce that most wonderful design or graphics, they need it now! Companies planning marketing campaigns see the production of printed materials as only part of their efforts; we too, must see our efforts as such and avoid disrupting the rest of their timetable. And don't forget budget. Someone has got to pay us for our efforts and that will limit our creative efforts. True art cannot be limited but we must constantly face these limitations that will always keep us from being true fine artists.
Another problem comes from the opposite extreme. Many people get the mistaken impression that graphic arts or desktop publishing is something like word processing. The field of word processing as developed as a result of streamlining business communications where letters and memos can be produced quickly. The result is that artistic expression has been programmed out of existence. Formats and layout standards are given and must be strictly adhered to. The design of pages is simply not done. No time is wasted on layout because the speed and efficiency of the communications is the number one requirement. As a result, word processing programs have been written and procedures developed to streamline the process. True word processor operators need to know little about typography, layout, design, graphics and art. True graphic arts is the result of careful design consideration and a complicated process of assembly that simply will not do in the world of word processing.
But beware of anyone reducing the incredibly complex and diversified field of graphic arts to the level of word processing which can be learned in a short period of time; which, by its very nature, has been simplified. Many people do not separate the two, especially those with strong business backgrounds whose objectives favor the streamlining of communications for the ultimate good of the operation of a business. This is quite wrong to consider for true graphic arts.
Another misconception is that word processing and graphic arts (desktop publishing) use the same programs. This is not exactly true as word processing programs are streamlined and simplified and real graphic arts programs are made to be as versatile and complex as possible to allow for more and more possibilities of artistic expression. Office programs simply do not allow for the kind of artistic expression we need as true graphic artists. Anyone telling you otherwise does not have a clear concept of the entire graphic arts industry; just a concept of what may be considered a specialization of the overall graphic arts industry called "creative office communications". Beware!
The last problem is that of the experience of a word processing technician wishing to become a true graphic artist. Since word processor operators are trained to streamline their communications productions, their experience is not aimed at true graphic arts production. Many times people with word processing backgrounds are not hired for this fact alone because they do not show their experience as being able to seek creative solutions but instead to limit creativity to accepted word processing standards. Word processor operators who wish to move on to creative positions in this field should experiment with the real programs and assemble a portfolio that shows they are capable of producing artistic and creative work. Word processing experience alone is more of a liability!
You must be careful to develop a clear understanding of what this field is to ensure success. There is much to be learned from both the word processing and old fashioned paste-up worlds. But look to the future and look to fulfilling the need for creativity when you construct your own definition of graphic arts. Limiting yourself to these narrow concepts will probably limit your career opportunities as well.
A case of two extremes
We must take a look at the entire graphic arts industry and realize that it is divided into two different extremes. First, there is the creative side where we are expected to develop fresh new artistic ideas for each and every project. Using type and graphics in interesting and visually appealing ways is absolutely required. Persons working on this extreme are often called graphic designers. But the other extreme of this huge industry is purely technical. Knowledge of the requirements of printing and output processes is absolutely required. Being able to work on a computer programming level is part of this extreme and excellent problem solving skills are absolutely required. We often call these people pre-press technicians.But you should visualize both extremes as a continuous sliding scale with artistic and technical at opposite ends. All jobs will fall someplace between these two extremes. Where, exactly? That depends on the specific job and that is what makes this industry so difficult to train for. Every creative job has its moments when you must deal with some tedious computer problem like getting the files to print. As well, every technical job requires that your corrections and modifications must be executed with artistic sensitivity. Both extremes often merge and overlap. To further complicate matters, the point at which you work is always shifting depending on the project you are currently working on. One project may require a lot of artistic effort and the very next one will challenge your technical expertise with some difficult problems. You never know, so you must be prepared for everything.
Hopefully, you will be able to find employment on the end of the scale of your choice. But the message here is not that you can work strictly in the creative end and pass on your technical problems to others, you must be skilled and trained to handle as many of them as possible. Furthermore, technical workers in pre-press must be fully prepared to evaluate the artistic value of the projects they are working on. They may have to make artistic improvements or else thousands of dollars worth of paper will be wasted on a poor printing job. You must have a working knowledge of the entire range from creative to technical even though your preference is toward one end or the other.
Computers & programs
Today's graphic artists work on computers. Do not think that the old fields of paste-up, camera, stripping still exist. They have been almost totally computerized out of existence except in a few isolated locations and for specialized work. If you do not wish to work on a computer, consider opportunities in press work and post press operations such as bindery (or an entirely different field).In this industry we generally use a few highly specialized graphics applications designed to work on several different types of computers. There is a very good chance that most graphic arts jobs will use them but don't be surprised to find some odd use of entirely different programs that one would not normally find in the graphic arts industry. Employers should be sympathetic to the gaps in skills that potential employees bring with them in their new job. There is so much to learn and so much to know. The issue of program versions should not be a serious issue either. Programs will change slightly with each new release but the idea that an individual's skills are useless because they are one or two versions behind is absolutely ridiculous. If you are ever turned down because you either are skilled in the wrong version consider yourself fortunate! You might not like working in such a place with such poor management.
The issue of the specific computer type is not a serious issue and should not be made one by either applicant or employer. Anyone using PC or Mac can easily transfer their skills to the other because both systems are far more similar than some people would let you believe. Besides, your ability to read instruction manuals is absolutely important in this and any other industry using computers so you should be able to figure out the differences in a very short period of time. However, it you ever have any opportunity to work on a different computer type, take advantage of the experience and at least make some basic notes of the differences. Whatever you do, don't simply make the naive conclusion that this computer is better and that one is worse; or I like this one but I don't like that one! Take the issue more seriously and an important part of your training because you never know what kind of computer you are going to be working on until you actually get the job!
Why should one become a graphic artist?
The actual choice of whether you wish to pursue a particular field is an extremely personal one based on many characteristics of your personality, how you work and your strengths and weaknesses. It is assumed that you like the idea of expressing yourself creatively and enjoy the process of assembling projects using computers.Of course there are the old fashioned values people used to compare jobs and could be applied to the graphic arts industry. We work indoors in a clean environment (much cleaner than in the past because of the computers), have steady hours and some opportunity for overtime. There may not be that much opportunity for advancement in title and position as with other industries but we generally experience advancement in the form of having more complex and creative work entrusted to us. Of course, that usually comes with an increase in pay as well. The graphics industry is generally not seasonal. But it is difficult to attach generalities to such a varied field. There just aren't that many patterns we can easily identify so you should be prepared for just about anything.
Our jobs are so computer oriented that you can take a hint by how well you enjoy using a computer. You must, absolutely must, enjoy working with a computer. Notice that this advice is working on a computer and not working on a computer. In the graphic arts industry you must concentrate your efforts at producing graphics projects, setting type, fixing layout problems, scanning pictures, proofreading, spell checking, selecting typefaces as well as in almost unimaginable number of other tasks. All this while you are operating the computer. You are not just a simple computer operator, you are a graphic artist using a computer!
If you can tolerate staring at a monitor for hours on end while you concentrate on doing things then you are on the right track. If you get fatigued working on a computer for any length of time or just seem to wear down after a few hours, you may consider this a warning that this field may not be for you. If you suffer any pain or headache this may signal warnings that eventually the pain will be too much for you to continue in this work. As you work on the computers you must keep your mind fresh to concentrate on the work you are doing. Such mindless computer activities such as computer games or even surfing the internet are not a good measure of your long term durability.
There are many levels of challenge found in the graphics industry for those who want interesting work. We have the sense of accomplishment when a project is done and printed. There is the "look what I did" pride you get when doing something creative and of real quality. Many people enjoy taming the computer facing difficult problems and challenges. For them, and maybe for you, this industry offers much more opportunities to make your work as difficult and challenging as you would like. So much so that many graphic artists are bored if they master the job and find they have little to keep their interests. This, however, rarely happens. Working in the graphic arts industry can be very challenging for those who need a level of involvement.
Allied fields
Although the graphic arts industry is wide with lots of varied opportunities, there are some boundaries that we should look at. Photography, including digital photography, is actually a different field. There is considerable overlap because graphic artists do manipulate photographic images. But photography generally has its boundary when you are required to take a camera someplace and take pictures. Both graphic artists and photographers use the very same computers and programs to adjust photographic images.The field of film, animation and movie special effects is also closely related. Much of the same skills and training is required for both but there is a difference. In graphic arts we generally create projects destined for printing or web display where animation work toward film. Although the graphic images are about the same, theirs move! It shouldn't be too difficult to move between the two fields.
Word processing isn't true graphic arts but shares a lot of concepts in common. Consider, as a generality, that word processing is graphic arts without the need for a lot of creativity and artistic expression. Where they stress extremely fast typing skills, we stress quality typography. There is a difference between the two.
Multimedia is very difficult to define but is also very close to graphic arts. There is considerable overlap for they actually produce materials that are viewed as part of larger presentations in various media from slides to CD Roms One could even argue that web page design is closer to multimedia than to traditional print production. Both fields, however, require a strong sense of layout and design. It is just that the output is different.
There is no difference between the keywords of commercial arts, layout, graphic design, typography, typesetting, Quark operator, scanner operator, Mac operator, or even printer using a computer. They are all keywords used to describe occupations in the graphic arts field.
Don't overlook opportunities in some of these fields. You may be surprised that you could easily qualify and find a rewarding career.
Where do you work?
This is a very difficult question to answer. You could potentially work anyplace where computers are used to create printed (or web) materials. There are the obvious locations such as newspapers, print shops, graphic designers, typesetters or in-house graphic divisions of manufacturing companies. Actually, the field is so diverse that you may not have any idea of where you will be working until you actually start looking and evaluate the different opportunities. Be prepared for some rather unusual opportunities that you may never have suspected. You may end up working in a grocery store producing the newspaper ads and circulars as well as the signs scattered throughout the store. You may work in an office producing the necessary office and sales materials. Many organizations will produce their own work. Think of it that anyplace that may use printed materials may need someone on their staff to produce it! The opportunities are extremely varied.Are some of these opportunities better than others? Only you can be the judge of that. There is no pattern to guide you for you have to evaluate each and every one of them individually based on your own criteria; that which you feel is important for you in a job to make it interesting and desirable.
Your new career
Today's computerized graphic arts industry is not a licensed and regulated industry. Anyone may work in it merely by applying for a job and being hired. Once on the job you should learn as much as you possibly can about your specific workplace and the computers, programs and equipment (whatever that may be!) required in the performance of your duties.But you shouldn't stop there. Realize that each individual graphic arts job is a tiny part of this huge industry and you should try and learn more about other specialties. Why? Because you may want to look for another job or especially a better one. Opportunities for advancement are often found outside your current job so you have to be ready to prove that you can do other types of work as well. Since you can run a computer and programs, your challenge is to learn to do more with them; especially things you don't get a chance to do at your current job.
Another opportunity is to be a freelance graphic artist and actually run your own business. It's not that hard but beware that you will have to develop strong business and management skills to run a successful business (never mind it is a graphics business, it is still a business!). As your skills improve you may find you can apply to full time jobs (or part time) as a highly qualified candidate. Or maybe you will have so many customers that you will have to hire others to help you with the work.
You really should consider formal training. No, not the quick two day seminars or classes that are all too common, but real educational programs. If there are only seminar classes in your area, plan to take a bunch of them. Classes that teach you how to use the computer and/or programs is a good start to train you as a computer operator but they are incredibly poor in developing your skills as a graphic artist. You need to learn about typography, layout, design with some formal art training to supplement the computer training. As well, graphic arts training without computers is also quite limited for in today's industry, both computer and art training are absolutely essential.
Many people choose the do-it-yourself route for graphic arts training. The first step is to buy your own computer and the programs used in the industry. Be very careful in your choice of programs and avoid the "business" programs recommended to you by the office industry. The graphics industry uses the most sophisticated and, of course, the most expensive programs. Do not cheap out and buy the office programs for the professional industry considers them toys and will evaluate your experience with them negatively pronouncing you unqualified.
A class here, a seminar there, but don't forget reading. Buy books, read them and, if possible, duplicate the examples on your own computer. But notice that the word "books" is plural. You really should not buy less than two books on a program or subject. This way you get two (or more) different author's perspective of the very same subject. After reading them both, your knowledge will be worth more than twice the amount of any one of the books. Besides, if you don't understand something in one book you can look up the same topic in the other.
Finally, realize that your education will never end. Throughout your career you should strive to keep up with changes in computer technology, program improvements and trends in graphic arts creativity. Learning more will make you a more valued employee; if not for the place you now work, maybe for some other place that may value your experience. At some point you will no longer be a beginner but a highly skilled and experienced graphic artist!
