Understanding Graphic Arts: From Concept to Press

Slide1Graphic ArtsWhat’s it all about….

Slide2Graphic Arts Think about what is around you…  You are experiencing Graphic Arts…  Magazines/ Newspapers…  T-Shirts….  Billboards  Packaging  Television  Websites  Others….

Slide3Graphic Arts Graphic Arts can be broken down into 4 key areas  Design – Conceptualizing/ Creating  Pre-Flight – Assembling/ Correcting/ Proofing files  Press Operations – Running a printing Press  Finishing – Post press, cutting assembling, special effects Design Pre-Flight Press Finishing

Slide4Graphic Arts The Computer has revolutionized the Industry  Prior to 1990, all done by hand  Macintosh, PageMaker and Laser Writer changed industry

Slide5Graphic Arts With the Advent of the Computer/ Skills required have  INCREASED  While job descriptions have  DECREASED  Designers know have to take on a greater role, be able to do more  Take a project through completion

Slide6Graphic Arts Design & Pre-Flight  Graphic Artists must possess abilities to  create and  assemble  digital files Film Stripping (Obsolete) + =

Slide7Graphic Arts Traditional  Printed Bound Matter  Magazines  Books  Flyers  Posters  Packages  Newspapers  Correspondence  New Media  Dynamic Media  (electronic & broadcast)  Website (easy to navigate)  IPODS (Hand Held Devices)  Flash Presentations  Kiosks  Delivery Devices not yet available The Changing Landscape

Slide8Graphic Arts Fundamentals make you a good designers  Hardware helps you create  Apply the fundamentals of good design  Layout, color, type, image  Borrow from other media  Think Dynamically!  Explore, invent, Take Risks!

Slide9Graphic Design What Employers Look For…  Design Diversity  Excellent Typography Skills  Well Organized  Creative

Slide10Graphic Arts Other Criteria  Strong Portfolio  Software Skills  Personal Presentation  “How well you fit in with current employees”  Differences if you come from a 2 or 4 year school are small…  2= Hand on/ Faster  4= More concept development

Slide11Graphic Arts Employment Outlook is good to excellent…  Web Houses  Printers  Ad Agencies  In House Agencies  What kind of jobs can you get with a graphic design degree?  Print design  Web design  Designer in an advertising agency  In-house designer for a corporation  Illustrator  Book design  Multimedia (movie titles, TV ads, etc.)  Corporate Identity (logos, stationery, etc.)

Slide12Graphic Design Secret to good design “Everything is Designed Twice”  First – Generate the idea  Second – Production of the idea  Begin with the end in your mind! Where do you need to end up? For More Information;  www.gaerf.org

Slide13Communication & Design Work based class  Learn to use Computer Programs to “Create” Printed Materials  Illustrator (Drawing), PhotoShop (Images) & In-Design (Page layout)  Flyers, Posters, Shirts, etc.  Think of this class as a 50 Minute Business

Slide14Now Go ahead and Log-on Open Illustrator CS4