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Graphic Designers and Illustrators (5241)

Occupation related to information and communications technology

Among the occupations currently in highest demand in All of Québec

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Qualification and skills most often required

Un diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) en graphisme, le DEC en techniques d’animation 3D et de synthèse d’images ou le DEC en dessin animé sont habituellement demandés. Selon le secteur d’activité, une attestation d’études collégiales (AEC) ou une formation spécialisée en graphisme, en infographie, en animation 3D et de synthèse d’images ou en intégration multimédia peuvent être suffisantes. Le diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) en infographie et préimpression permet dans certains cas d’accéder à la profession dans le secteur de la publicité et du Web. Un diplôme universitaire en arts graphiques (communications graphiques) peut être demandé pour certains postes. Des aptitudes pour le travail d’équipe, le sens de la créativité, le souci du détail, la capacité d’analyser et d’excellentes aptitudes en communication orale et écrite sont des qualités recherchées. Le sens des responsabilités, la rapidité d’exécution, la capacité de travailler sous pression pour respecter les échéanciers et le respect des budgets de production sont recherchés. La qualité du portfolio est un des critères d’embauche les plus importants. La connaissance des logiciels et des langages de programmation utilisés dans ce domaine (ex. : Photoshop, Illustrator, ASP, PHP, Flash, 3D StudioMax, HTML, CSS, Action Script, etc.) est nécessaire.

Reason for labor demand

La demande de main-d’œuvre dans cette profession vient surtout des entreprises des services de design, du secteur de la publicité et du marketing pour la conception d’images de sites Web, d’interfaces d’utilisateurs, de bannières publicitaires, etc. La demande de personnel vient également de l’industrie des jeux vidéo pour des animateurs ou animatrices 2D et 3D, des textureurs ou textureuses, des modeleurs spécialisés ou modeleuses spécialisées 2D et 3D ainsi que des illustrateurs ou illustratrices 2D et 3D. Dans les entreprises de publicité, les employeurs recherchent surtout des designers graphiques, des graphistes et des infographistes. L’animation 3D est de plus en plus utilisée dans divers secteurs d’activité, comme le cinéma, l’architecture, l’imagerie médicale, etc.

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Job titles

Nature of work

Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CD-ROMs. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this unit group. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely self-employed.

Fields of interest

  • Working in the arts, culture, music, and recreation
  • Working with computers, information technology, and communications
  • Writing, working in communications and information

Main duties

  • Graphic designers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs
  • - Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication
  • - Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients' objectives
  • - Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software
  • - Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design
  • - Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients' communications needs
  • - Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers
  • - Co-ordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CD-ROMs, interactive terminals, etc.
  • - Co-ordinate sub-contracting
  • - Work in a multidisciplinary environment
  • - Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians.
  • Illustrators perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Consult with clients to determine the nature and content of illustrations in order to meet their communications needs
  • - Develop and produce realistic or representational sketches and final illustrations, by hand or using computer-assisted design (CAD) software, for printed materials such as books, magazines, packaging, greeting cards, stationery, etc.
  • - Assist in developing storyboards for electronic productions such as multimedia, interactive and digital products, television advertising and productions, etc.
  • - Produce 2-D and 3-D animated drawings or computer illustrations
  • - May adapt existing illustrations.
  • * Illustrators may specialize in a particular field such as illustrations for children, advertising, editorials, humour, or medical, scientific or technical illustration, or multimedia design.

Main characteristics of the occupation

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Employment requirements

  • * A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning
  • or
  • Completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required.
  • * Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
  • * In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators.
  • * Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.

Skill type

  • Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

Skill level

  • Technical

More information

  • * Progression to management or senior design positions is possible with experience.
  • * The title "registered graphic designer" is recognized by law in Ontario.

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