It's official
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- tymeframe0
^ This position needs to pay out the wazoo for this range of skill and technical knowledge. No, this isn't a Print Designer. Perhaps they're simply trying to shake off all the photoshop 'web designers' that might apply. And more than likely it's an aim for the stars hit the moon scenario.
I think someone that meets all of these qualifications could successfully run their own studio.
Here's what I'm curious about. What would be considered an equivalent to a BFA?
- akrokdesign0
if you have 3-5 years work experience, why care even care if they have a b.a or not. a bit silly. just look at their work, instead.
- ukit0
I think gramme is right, by running away from the title it makes it seem like something you don't want to aspire to.
Although, interesting that once you get to people who are actually well-known for what they do, they don't seem to have any problem with it.
Ever heard Rand, Milton Glaser, or other well known people in our field referred to as art directors? They seemed happy with graphic designer.
- Ranger0
The title's have just been so watered down over the years along with the designer title by both individuals and companies using the gravitas of the title as a shortcut to charging more. The title now means dirt if it is acceptable to call yourself this out of college.
Everywhere is different but the general levels of promotion used to be junior designer > designer > senior designer > art director > creative director. Lately it seems it splits after junior designer into designer/freelance art director.
- luckyorphan0
^^ I have found that people who are school-taught are usually better than those who are self-taught or those who have had on-the-job training. On the job, you generally learn how to use the software and produce what the directors want. In school, you learn how to think for yourself and do what you want. Experience as both a director and a creative at such an early time in one's design career can be invaluable, if used right.
More abstract concepts are explored and more creativity is unleashed in an educational atmosphere, leading the creative youngster to become a more unique designer. Whereas those who grow up going from high school to mail room to design houses usually just learn to spit out the latest design fad, and are hopeless when it comes to picking up something new and running with it.
It's the difference between a designer and a production artist. Of course, there are exceptions, but that's just been my experience.
- yeah, i went to schööl töö. :-)akrokdesign
- Designers also get stuck in production jobs. Even corporate design says, faster, faster, faster.VikingKingEleven
- gramme0
I call myself owner & design director. This is in part because I can, and because it's accurate – despite the fact that I rarely direct anyone else, occasional freelancers notwithstanding. I figured when I get to the point of making a hire, I don't want to have to change my title. Also, I've been doing this for seven years. That's not a tremendously long time, but I think most people consider that long enough to work up to senior level.
I avoided "creative director" because I hate adjectives being turned into nouns. I don't want anything to do with producing "creative." I produce design.
- I've been doing it longer than you. I call myself designer. Of course, I don't own, so it's your perrogativecannonball1978
- in short, what I am really trying to say is that I am better than you at everything.cannonball1978
- :|cannonball1978
- ukit0
It does seem like more jobs are expecting at least a working knowledge of the technical side of things. I don't think that's so crazy, considering more and more people have those skills now.
- 100% correct the print designers from 5 years ago now have to learn web quickVikingKingEleven
- so i am trying to learn AE and video instead.VikingKingEleven
- akrokdesign0
i think it's also depending on the size of studio/agency. big one's has more "this is your role" you "design" that's it. meanwhile at smaller shops you end up doing "everything" as there is no production artist, that's you also. :-)
- rosem0
titles = titles. nothing more.
- yeah dude. But they define your salary. If you stay a designer forever it will never go up. Unless u are frerlance.clearThoughts
- Peter0
Can hardly wait until a batch of green freelance kids start titling themselves Creative Directors
- happening already. They are probably better at the job than most CD's out there.clearThoughts
- georgesIII0
It make students happy to graduate with an Art Director,because honestly they'll never get paid more than stagist,
give them at least this satisfaction
- vespa0
"Designer" is a perfectly respected job title. So is "Art Director".
They are different job titles because they are different jobs. Designers design only. Art Directors may design, but their main role is to be able to direct others in the art dept effectively.
- Mr_Right0
I have to say it has taken me many years to learn the difference between an Art Director and Graphic Designer. I confess I really did not know the difference when I was right out of school. The confusion is because Graphic Designers are occasionally called upon to do some art direction, and Art Directors are frequently doing their own graphic design. The lines between these two disiplines is very blurry. If you do good work, bad work does not get done.
- inkpink0
what's official?
- http://en.wikipedia.…Lillebo
- that I slept with your mum... and that it was good!clearThoughts
- err0
Some companies call their Designers "Art Directors" Its BS but it makes employees happy.
- err0
Some companies call their Designers "Art Directors" Its BS but it makes employees happy.
- nthkl0
Eh it doesn't really matter what the title is if you're still making designer wages though.
- boobs0
The only job that really counts is "owner." Everyone else is just an ass-kisser.
- Projectile0
it's because designers with only a year's experience are still naive enough to think that, because they've been trained in art direction as part of their 6 month course, they'll actually become one before the age of 60 based on talent alone.