Graphic Designers
Level |
Artistic Skills |
Technical Computer Graphic Skills |
Portfolio |
Software |
Years |
I |
Has decent eye for layout, spacing, and type. Color experience may be limited but may have worked with spot colors (e.g., in charts and graphs). |
Uses graphic elements provided by others. Can set up files for laser printing or screen display and do minor troubleshooting on prepress files. Also can identify fonts. May or may not have experience on press. |
Comps and art school drawings. Black and white or 2-color printed flyers, postcards, mailers, flowcharts, and other conceptual roughs. |
QuarkXPress, PageMaker, |
1+ |
II |
Good eye for layout, type, and color. Can integrate supplied photos and illustrations with text. Also can organize fairly complex and chaotic source materials into a simpler, integrated, coherent printed piece. |
Can usually produce files that will image to prepress film without extensive rebuilding. Understands basics of different file and font formats. Very basic understanding of CMYK (color-separation) issues. Limited experience on press. | One or two full-color brochures, perhaps without color photos. One or two logos actually executed for clients. Stationery, labels, simple packaging designs, or design comps. Experience with multiple page documents (newsletters brochures, etc.). |
QuarkXPress, PageMaker, or InDesign |
2+ |
III |
As above. Understands readability issues in typography. Can montage photos and decide when to use various effects. Some drawing skills. Has a unique and personal design style evident in work. |
Can produce files that will consistently image properly to film in prepress stage. Understands color separation and optimization of scanned images. Can perform trapping in page layout or drawing program. Has extensive experience on press. Knows about postal requirements. |
Full-color, even 6-color brochures, direct mail pieces, or other printed pieces; some with color photos. Various bindings, die-cuts, varnishes, inserts, etc. Possibly complex packaging designs and some Web samples. |
QuarkXPress, PageMaker, or InDesign |
2+ |
IV |
Creative conceptual initiator. Draws well. Strategically oriented; relates design work to clients’ goals and businesses; can persuade or influence clients effectively. Can produce stunning polished comps (comprehensive layouts) for clients. Understands different trends and “looks” in design; can alter style for different contexts. Experienced with directing photographers, retouchers, production artists, and illustrators. |
Designer tech-wizard. Understands how to troubleshoot PostScript problem files. Knowledgeable about page layout shortcuts, third-party extensions, and prepress, press, and bindery issues. Can create multipage die-cuts and duotones and optimize a “fake spot color” (in CMYK) better than Pantone’s own guide. Has existing relationships with vendors. Supervises printers with expertise, driving them to achieve the highest quality within the project’s budgetary and equipment limits. |
Brochures, annual reports, posters, and / or coordinated packaging suites or other polished work for Fortune 500 clients. If publication designer, has created the “look” for glossy magazines, daily newspapers, “coffee-table” books, or best-selling children’s books. Possibly has work in major design annuals. Has own Web site. |
(prepress; MacOS) |
10+ 2+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ |