GRAPHIC ARTIST 35071

01/01/90 C

This is the first class in the Graphic Design series for positions that perform illustrative and graphic arts work in a variety of media for publications, projects, exhibits or related materials. Positions in this class are responsible for preparing production art, illustrations, calligraphy, charts, graphs, signage, and similar artwork in support of agency publications, exhibits, and visual aids. The work includes production of mechanical or technical drawings; exhibit labels; paintings and pastels; camera-ready artwork; hand lettering; and typesetting. Positions generally carry out designs conceptualized by a Graphic Designer, but may design forms, newsletters, and certificates; use computer graphics to produce overhead transparencies, slides, and plots; and emphasize the construction of scale models based on architects' drawings. This class is distinguished from the Graphic Designer class by the former's emphasis on the application of diverse production methods to produce a specific artwork or representation with final approval of project and scheduling determined by supervisor.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty requiring technical precision and the selection of production methods to produce a wide variety of artwork and to provide production support for design services or for instructional aids. The work typically involves producing graphics for various publications and visual aids such as newsletters, charts, computer documentation, slides, and logic diagrams; producing paste-up and layout for text; signage; painting constructions with brush and spray methods; typesetting using a computer, composer, or lettering machine; laying out displays and scale models; creating illustrations for videos, slides, transparencies, charts, graphs, and maps; painting artists' views of projects; drawing base artwork for visual aids; tracing drawings; free brushing signs; drawing in pen and ink; cutting stencils; cutting lettering and imagery; freehand lettering; preparing preliminary job estimates; advising clients regarding technical execution of projects; analyzing data to prepare materials; training student assistants; proofreading; maintaining graphics files; and maintaining equipment. These positions may order consumable supplies and perform proofreading functions.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor; however, positions may instruct student assistants in technical activities.

Supervision Received: Positions work under the general supervision of a higher level designer, public relations, administrative supervisor, or faculty member. Consultation with the supervisor is expected regarding clarification of job requirements, technical requirements of complex projects, and to obtain final approval of product and project scheduling.

Scope: Positions in this class facilitate production of publications, displays, signage and visual aids for an agency's communication, marketing, and instructional projects.

Impact of Actions: Work has a moderate effect on the quality of publications, displays, and visual aids. Inadequate execution of projects may result in project scheduling delays and increased project costs. Effective job performance results in the successful production of quality artwork for agency publications and projects, and in the efficient use of resources.

Personal Contacts: Occasional external contacts with vendors to purchase supplies and services, and frequent internal contacts with agency employees to clarify project requirements.

Knowledges: Working knowledge of graphic art concepts, techniques and processes such as printing processes, typesetting, paper selection, paste-up, audio-visuals, and photography; and of graphic art terminology.

Skills: Considerable skill in the techniques of production art such as mechanical art, paste-up and layout, preparation of camera-ready art; applique methods; color coordination; painting; hand lettering using pens and markers; technical drawing; freehand illustration; and in operation of microcomputers and software such as Desktop Publishing to produce graphics, layouts and printing.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to work with clients; to create and prepare production art; to write and express printing standards; to give exacting attention to detail; and to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Some training in art, design, computer graphics, print production, photography, educational media, and typography.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience in graphic art production, illustration, typesetting, printing processes, audio-visual operations, or related work.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledges, skills and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This is a new class developed as part of the statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program and replaces the Graphic Artist Illustrator A class, effective January, 1990.