GRAPHIC DESIGNER 35072

01/01/90 C

This is the second 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 developing, designing, and producing media art projects, exhibits, and publications for state agencies. Duties include advising and consulting with clients to determine their graphics design needs; creating and producing graphic designs; reviewing design requirements for production feasibility; and coordinating design services. Design projects are characterized by a variety of publications or other products that may incorporate color processes, precision detail, special effects, and promotional and informational markets. Positions may use complex computer graphics software. This class is distinguished from the Graphic Artist class by the former's responsibility for independently developing graphic design concepts for complete projects and by its emphasis on technical decisions. This class is distinguished from the Graphic Designer Supervisor class by the latter's responsibility for supervising extensive programs or designer units with subordinate Graphic Designer and Artist positions.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty requiring creativity, analysis, problem solving, and decision making related to public relations, advertising, fine art, design, production art, printing, publishing, signage and related design. The work typically involves researching projects; analyzing information and communication objectives; determining the promotional and communication objectives that can be met through graphic design; identifying design elements that would enhance or interfere with product; selecting and determining the effectiveness of typography for printing; creating and preparing mechanical art, photography, and illustrations; evaluating designs against the potential and limitations of printing and other production processes; evaluating the effectiveness of color; selecting stock according to printing requirements; determining layout; ensuring integrated design for publications; writing printing and typography specifications; approving pre-press and press proofs; estimating project costs, planning production schedules and designing computer graphics and audio-visual presentations and specifications for exhibit fabrication. Positions typically purchase and maintain an inventory of supplies and may be the single charge position for agency graphic art support with responsibility for office management and project management. These positions may create and develop graphic design concepts that accurately and effectively interpret scholarly concepts that are intended for specialized academic audiences and will be successful revenue-producing projects within international markets.

Supervision Given: Positions may supervise Graphic Artists, printing specialists, and student assistants, or may serve as lead workers in larger, comprehensive design programs.

Supervision Received: Positions work under the direction of a Graphic Design Supervisor or Manager, a Public Relations position, faculty member, or senior agency administrator. Positions manage and complete design projects with little direct supervision. Consultation with the supervisor is expected for complex projects. Job duties require the exercise of independent judgment and decision making in all stages of the design process.

Scope: Work affects the agency's promotional publication and communication programs through the production of art projects, exhibits and publications that represent the agency to local, regional, state and occasionally national and international markets.

Impact of Actions: Work has a serious impact on the effectiveness of state agency promotional, publication, and communication programs. Inefficient or inadequate design concepts may result in excessive costs, ineffective communication, delays and possible loss of sales/revenue. Effective job performance results in the successful completion of quality graphic art work which creatively and professionally represents the agency and positively impacts its image and may aid in the sale/revenue or other dissemination of its printing products.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external contacts with vendors to procure and manage production services. Frequent internal contacts with agency staff to consult on design concepts and discuss project objectives.

Knowledges: Considerable knowledge of contemporary design and its role in the development of organizational communications; graphic art concepts and techniques; printing, photography, 3-D processes, and related production and publications processes; and public relations and marketing principles and practices.

Skills: Considerable skill in production art techniques such as mechanical art preparation, paste-up and layout, and in the operation of microcomputer and software such as Desktop Publishing to produce graphics.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to independently create and develop graphic design concepts for marketing and communications objectives; to economically produce graphic design concepts and production art for publications; to specify vendor services; and to manage projects by advising and consulting with agency staff to determine project requirements, to evaluate the production feasibility of designs, and to prepare schedules and cost estimates.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in communications arts and design, or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience in production art work or related activities.

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. It replaces the Graphic Artist Illustrator B class, effective January, 1990.