What skill set's are needed by a Graphic Designer?

Being a Graphic Designer means you have to utilise a lot of skills to help you succeed in the industry.

Because all work is client based briefs the most fundamental skill that a designer could hold is the ability to communicate. Both the designer and client need to be able to understand each other and understand what the requirements of the final outcome must be. The ability to communicate is also necessary for the designer to able to know how the client would like research and designs presented to him. This could be in a interactive form or even in an unconventional way. Without the ability to communicate properly the chances are that the client or designer won't be happy with the final outcome.

Another skill that is expected of designers is the ability to organise their work sufficiently. Keeping all their work in clean and tidy folders so that current and previous work can be found easily. It is also required that all work is backed up if completed on the computer and stored in a safe place.

As well as being able to project manage and be organised, time management is also a skill needed. It is critical that designers know when and how they will complete tasks as this will affect the pricing of the entire brief.

Creative thinking and professionalism is also skills that will help designers succeed in the industry. This is because designers will need to be able to think outside the box and be creative with their ideas to help add value to the products that are being created. Professionalism is must be another skill that a designer must have and this is because they must have the desire and interest to complete every job to the best of their ability while holding a positive attitude towards all clients.

One of the main skills required apart from communication that is need would have to be the ability to network. Building a network in the 'design world' will help boost the designers career, this is because most of the jobs that a designer will get would be from 'word of mouth'. If a previous client really liked the work you completed for them , then they would be happy to pass on your details to a friend/colleague. Networking is also required because having a good group of colleagues and other designers around you will help you improve and hopefully succeed further in the industry.