Print Design: Careers
Consider the difference between your colors on
screen and on paper. A career in graphic design can mean many things.
Below are just a few examples of specific jobs in print
and web design
Again, a “proof” can help ensure you are getting the
desired results.
Print:
You often choose “spot” or “process” colors for your
printer to use. These are colors you choose from a
palette and identify with a code that you provide to •
your printer.
•
Web Design:
Consider the difference in colors from monitor to
monitor.
How color will be affected by brightness and
contrast changes.
Colors are represented by “hexadecimal values” (6
digit numbers). Again, this responsibility may fall on a
programmer, but you may be providing these values
to them.
Technology
Art Director at a magazine
Printers
use the
Ad designer at an ad firm
• Package designer for a cosmetics company
• Designer for a t-shirt company
Web:
• Web designer for a social networking site
• Flash designer for movie websites
• Banner ad designer for a marketing firm
Which to Choose
Pantone
Matching
System
Ideally, deciding which type of design to pursue
will be based on experience. Even if you create
your own personal projects, try creating some
print pieces (such as your own business card)
and websites (create a mockup of your online
portfolio). See what you enjoy, and learn more
about it! Think about the differences in this article
and what you’d like to focus on.
Keeping up with the latest technology is necessary
for both print and web design. For both, it is
important to work in graphics programs such as
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. For
print designers, knowing the latest advances in the
printing process will help you to achieve the best
results in your work. For web designers, knowing
Learning both print and web design will make
what your programmer (if not yourself!) can and
you even more marketable. In today’s job market,
cannot do will help you to provide the most effective
listings often ask for a focus on one, but knowledge
designs.
of both. As a freelancer, being able to offer a client a
full marketing package, with print materials and a
website to match, will only help to grow a business
and build an impressive portfolio.
17
Lucid Motif Graphic Industry
to make
specific ink
combinations
that create
unique colors
for printing.