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Graphic design: A picture is worth a 1000 wordsThe work of the graphic artist is everywhere. In print, television, the Web and in every store that you walk into. They are responsible for creating images through which our society communicates. MICHAEL CHO |
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 [ 2002-08-28 ] |
Mark Paterson
It's a cross-disciplinary occupation that combines marketing, advertising and promotion. But behind every great design, there will always be a great artist.
In other words, If you want to land a job as a graphic designer, you'd better know more than the shortcut keys on your new Mac.
Mark Paterson, vice-president of media productions at Mapfusion Corp., a leading media company specializing in creating vector-based maps on the Web, recommends fledgling designers first tap into their creative side before touching their computer.
"To be a great graphic designer you have to have an enormous amount of creativity, or at the very least be able to tap into and cultivate your creative sensibilities," say Paterson.
But today graphic design and computers go hand-in-hand, and with the software available virtually anyone can create and manipulate graphics. But what separates a good graphic designer from a great one begins before the computer is even turned on.
"A quality graphic designer doesn't simply jump on a computer and make 'neat' designs. Anyone can make 'neat' things", says Paterson. "Good graphic artists are hard to come by these days."
"The first question I ask when I'm interviewing someone for a job is 'can you draw, paint, or sculpt?' I need them to have the skills to visualize something great and be able to create it exactly."
According to Paterson, newcomers to graphic design rely too much on the technology in graphics software, and not enough on their own creativity. Consequently, the technology determines the design, rather than crafting it from the imagination.
Although Paterson stresses the importance of creativity, he admits computer applications are indispensable in the later stages of design creation.
"I'm a big fan of Adobe Illustrator and the power of Flash is unbelievable. You can pretty much create anything. It's about taking the things you dream about and materializing it in whatever medium presented to you."
Herman Luft shares Paterson's opinion that great designs are a result of great ideas. And as the chairperson for computer graphics at The International Academy of Design, he's seen his share of creative spark.
"A positive attitude is very important for students," says Luft. "There are some students that once they get exposed to the fundamentals, they become very passionate about the profession and often exceed even their own expectations."
The Academy's graphic design program uses both traditional design concepts and the newest computer graphic applications. In the 4 1/2 years Luft has overseen the department, its placement rate for graduating students stands between 80 and 90 per cent.
"Some students don't have any artistic talent when they arrive and are very intimidated at first. But once they start progressing, many realize a talent and creative skill, and those that do take off like grease lightening. To create something is very empowering."
Luft doesn't stress the importance of grades so much as simply good work. His payout lies in observing his students become excited about the curriculum.
"It's very gratifying at the end of each term when you see kids evolving and becoming so enthused," says Luft. "Once they get turned on, it no longer becomes a chore and they begin to explore and branch out, and that's when they really shine."
Professional Pointers
(Michael Cho is a freelance writer for Canoe.ca, and can be reached at mcho@canoe.ca.)
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