Graphic Design/Arts-- what!?
pokie (1198 points) | Tue, 2007-06-12 13:33Last year our department made the switch from Graphic Arts to Creative Services. In my line of work, I deal with a lot of outside artists and have been finding that some of them use this "creative services" thing as well.
Our big boss at the time told us it was because "we do so much more than just graphic arts".. blah blah...
My name is pokie, I'm a Graphic Artist level 2 (out of 3) in a Creative Services dept. Do you go by artist or designer?
Just wondering... :)
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Designs are ideas. . . and thats what I do. Come up with cool ideas to design.
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
i think that's the first time i hear anything about levels, and i doubt i'd state my level even if i was at the top tier. I wouldn't want to have to explain levels, and besides, how does one really get graded on those levels, my level of competency is judged by my clients based on my previous work and what i present to them.
with that said, i call myself a multimedia designer. I design in multiple mediums, weather it be architectural, graphics, motion/video, identity, web, print, etc.etc... i find it covers the widest range with the fewest amount of words.
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Architectural Technician - Multimedia Designer
www.ArchMedia.us
Just trying to have some fun.
Most places I know have levels for their designers. Normally ranging 1-3 and then a senior designer/artist.
I am not a fan of the levels, it's more of a pay scale than anything I guess, but they are known throughout the department. Some of my coworkers even put them IN THEIR EMAIL SIGNATURE. Drives me nuts, not something I think the customers need to know. ;)
i've heard of people using "junior designer, intermediate designer and senior designer" but not the levels. i think if an associate of mine were to put his level in his email signature i just might slap them. lol... now, i don't have associates, but it just gives me something to look out for!
this question had me thinking, and it's something i've already spent some time thinking about. i just seem to come back to "Multimedia Designer"
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Architectural Technician - Multimedia Designer
www.ArchMedia.us
Trust me, I've thought about it. :)
lol. I'm an associate. . . whatever THAT means! lol
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
Because I've been here the longest.
My personal cards just say "graphic designer."
I was an Experience Design Associate,
Which meant jack shit - Since I had 2 (Non-Design) Managers and an ADD Caffeine Injected CEO who had "great ideas" every 5 mins.
I would design to the best of my ability to appease 3 different creative directions for the same project which focus changed daily. Every day I went to work knowing full well that what I complete and every one agrees upon today will change tomorrow.
Don't Get me wrong they produced great stuff, but internally marketing there company with out any brand standards, common goal or purpose and an ADD Caffeine Injected CEO who had "great ideas" every 5 mins had a common goal but wouldn't divulge fully what he wanted - Every project was doomed to fail. My position was dissolved and he went for outsourcing. I may be bitter - but he let me know this a week before my wedding and a week after I bought a car.
I fel that titles are only as good as the people that can fill them. they look good on a wall, business card, or resume. However, not being hired to fill a position because of past titles held sucks.
Chris Brophy
Iklectek Designs
Chris Brophy
Iklectek Designs
twitter
Amen on this comment, my friend. The trouble with managers is they don't understand the creative process or the need for a 'creative brief'.
The title I hate the most is 'graphics designer'. That 's' in job postings really gets my goat. ;)
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Client: "can you guys make it more like a power-point presentation, you know, with the sliding text stuff and all?" (http://clientcopia.com/quotes.php?id=7)
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Dirt and Rust
I couldn't take it anymore - so i created it. When all communication and direction failed, and a employee under my direction was about to lose her mind. I actually used creativebits as a enormous stepping stone to complete it. And visiting that good ol' site www.clientcopia.com helped me cope.
Well, until I got let go - however my new wife still has a lot of words for my CEO
Chris Brophy
Iklectek Designs
Chris Brophy
Iklectek Designs
twitter
I have 5 paid jobs right now plus freelancing.
I guess the closest thing you could call me would be a consultant or analyst.
I work managing several projects to do ultimately with generating turnover but my services aren't just limited to design... I'm still part analyst in one role as well as senior designer in another...
Officially my titles are:
RDC Manager
Business Analyst
Copywriter
Media Planner
Multimedia Marketing Consultant
[God knows who dreams up these job titles]
Then on my freelance business cards I don't give myself a title, it just says my name, the company name and then:
Brand Consultancy
Multimedia Design
Media Planning
www.jamnittygritty.com
The problem with the 'design' field these days is it's in a state of flux -- I call it the 'Powerpointization of Design': Everyone from a CEO to your grandma who just learned to use a mouse thinks they are now a 'designer' because they have Powerpoint (and other worthless design apps such as Word).
Accountants are usually just that. Fireman, no title change there in 50 years! But Designers? There are too many titles to list because not only is our field very subjective, but putting each designer in one category is almost impossible now due to our 'create on demand' world (credit: http://www.accidentalcreative.com).
I have been required to do more than just print design in order to keep any job I've ever had as a 'Graphic Designer'. I was even titled 'Marketing/Graphics Coordinator. Now I'm really a Business Technologist bridging the gap between the techies and non-techies in a company.
When it comes down to it, your 'resume/CV' needs to be tailored to where you want to go and the titles your previous companies gave you aren't necessarily indicative of the actual work you were doing so you're free to adapt them so your work history is more clearly understood.
For a freelancer/contractor, usually 'Principal' works next to your business name; don't ever use President. ;)
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Client: "can you guys make it more like a power-point presentation, you know, with the sliding text stuff and all?" (http://clientcopia.com/quotes.php?id=7)
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Dirt and Rust