The work of a graphic artist: What’s behind the scenes?

The answer everyone blabs out: "They draw..."

And indeed they do, but the tasks are far more complex. A graphic artist works with a specific purpose in mind, subordinating their craft to a goal. They create both by hand and digitally, relying not only on their creativity but also on extensive knowledge of drawing techniques, art history, and the history of graphic design.

They design for both online and offline platforms—preparing files for print, decorative purposes, and technical execution. Their work ranges from advertisements (from flyers to Facebook posts) to packaging, logos, and corporate identities. They also create illustrations as standalone works or dive into web design.

Ideally, a graphic artist is never short on curiosity or a spirit of experimentation. Many are well-versed in classical printmaking techniques, such as linocut, etching, woodcut, or lithography. Keeping pace with the modern era, they also embrace the rise of Artificial Intelligence, training themselves to meet the challenges and opportunities it presents.

When creating designs, they choose techniques, styles, and a visual language by balancing aesthetics with function—which is where those historical insights come into play.

By definition, the essence of their work is conveying information. They interpret information visually through the use of typography, composition, colors, and various pre-made graphical elements, all while working within a defined set of rules.

A key characteristic of "applied graphics" is that creative freedom is subordinated to purpose and function... but it is always there, even within those boundaries!

If you're interested in this profession, browse professional portfolios and read about the experiences of seasoned graphic artists.

The Many Paths of a Graphic Artist: What Do They Do in Practice?

There are countless directions to take. But what kind of tasks does a graphic artist actually handle day-to-day?

• Brand Identity Design: Creating the visual world for companies and products—including logos, color palettes, and typography.

• Packaging Design: Everything you see on the shelves. It's the artist's job to ensure the packaging is both aesthetically pleasing and practical.

• Editorial & Print Design: Designing flyers, posters, magazines, books, and all kinds of printed materials. (A recurring point: writing the copy or ad text is NOT the artist's job; they are responsible for the layout and visual placement of the provided text.)

• Digital Graphics: Designing the visual interfaces for websites, social media ads, posts, online banners, and mobile applications.

• Illustrations and Infographics: Creating illustrations is a genre of its own (you can read more about that in my other post!). Generally, a graphic artist places the finished illustration into a layout, but an artist can also be the illustrator, handling both the creation and the final arrangement.

Where do they work? They can work as freelancers, for book publishers, advertising agencies, or design studios. Larger corporations often employ in-house graphic artists, or they commission studios for specific projects.

Looking for a graphic artist or an illustration? Feel free to reach out to me!