A world without design would be very dull indeed. Designers turn ideas and information into eye-catching visuals that grab the reader's attention.

Around 1,500 people work as designers in Western Australia. Sixty percent are male, 40% female. Most work in metropolitan Perth.

Each year there are approximately 165 places available in the Bachelor of Arts (Design) and (Multimedia Design) at Curtin University.

Would you buy a CD in a plain box, or a greeting card that just had the words, ''Happy Birthday'' embossed on it? Nowadays, consumers take for granted the way graphic designs transform generic products into individual, unique items.

Eye Catching Visuals

Designers arrange and present information in creative and personalised forms for clients. They are engaged to create a look and feel that draws attention to the client's product or service. They analyse client needs, figure out the cost and prepare sketches, instructions and layout diagrams. They then submit designs or 'roughs' to the client for their approval.



The sorts of things that designers bring to life include:

*websites;
*multimedia products like CD-ROM's, video games and information kiosks;
*publications like newspaper and magazine advertisements;
*trademarks and corporate logos;
*TV graphics;
*magazines, books, posters and brochures;
*signs and billboards; and
*even Disney movies!



The Working Environment

Designers generally work indoors in well lit and ventilated offices. Many also work from their homes. The designer's main tools are drawing boards and computer software packages.

''If you want to get into graphics today you must be proficient in Apple Macintosh. All the colleges use Macs and software packages such as PhotoShop, Quark and Illustrator,''says Vic Bussey, Perth Art Director.

It is also important to have excellent communication skills since there is a high level of client liaison, sometimes trying to sell or pitch ideas.

''You have to be able to sell a design idea and the first impression is really important. Sometimes the client won't like it, but by the time the meeting finishes, you need to convince them of your idea's worth.

It's also using basic psychology, knowing how to read people, when to push and somehow convincing them that it was their idea all along,'' says Vic.



The Dreaded Deadline

Designers work between 40 and 50 hours per week. They may have to work long and irregular hours in order to meet deadlines, so designers must be flexible and able to work under pressure. You'll also be operating within a team, so enjoying working closely with people is essential for one to succeed in this occupation.

If you decide to go it on your own, be prepared to work more than 40 hours a week since you'll also be doing the marketing, finding the customers and keeping the paper work sorted out. The potential for high earnings is also there.



Best Ideas Sell

Despite strong growth in jobs, competition is intense and many employers consider the graduate's portfolio to be the deciding factor. Students, therefore, need to be on the lookout for projects that add something more to their own portfolio. Getting to know the industry first hand and personal networking also helps.

There are great opportunities in multimedia and web design, particularly with the Internet becoming an inexpensive way to sell a product or service.

''There is a backlash against the traditional websites that first appeared on the Internet. The Internet was traditionally a field dominated by techno-gurus who didn't know anything about design. Traditional graphic design houses are increasingly taking on multimedia and website work,'' says Mark Bryce, Lecturer in Graphic Design and Multimedia at Central TAFE.

Opportunities for designers also exist in marketing and business management services, printing and publishing, and other areas such as computer service firms and post-school education. Surprisingly, only a handful actually work in film, video, radio and television. With years of experience, graphic designers can become art directors in advertising firms and the media.



The starting award salary in this occupation is $24,000 and this can increase to $29,000, however, some employers pay above these rates often between $27,000 and $35,000 for someone new to the industry and up to $45,000 for the more experienced. Very successful, self employed designers certainly have the potential to earn more. As an art director you may earn in the vicinity of $70,000 per year.

Most designers have post-secondary training or tertiary qualifications. A Diploma of Graphic Design and Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design (Print, Publications and Packing) or (Digital Design) are all offered through Central TAFE (Perth Campus). Prerequisites are the usual standard TAFE entry, coupled with the presentation of a portfolio. For further details please contact Central TAFE or refer to the TAFE site below.

There are also certificate courses in design available through registered training providers including TAFE. For further details please refer to the NTIS and TAFE sites below.

Curtin University offers a three year Bachelor of Arts in Design (majoring in graphic design) or Multimedia Design. Entry is based on the portfolio/interview process.

For those students wishing to pursue work in the field of web design in particular, you may wish to consider completing a Bachelor of Communications (Multimedia) at Edith Cowan or a Bachelor of Multimedia at Murdoch University.

For further information on University courses, please contact the relevant institution or refer to the Universities site listed below.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full time TAFE courses available throughout WA.
	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

Australian Graphic Design Association
PO Box 283 Cammeray NSW 2062 Phone: (02) 9955 3955 Email: nsw@agda.com.au

Design Institute of Australia (WA Chapter)
GPO Box 2701 Cloisters Square WA 6850 Phone: (08) 9321 6245 Fax: (08) 9481 5478

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Traditionally, film credits were the way to introduce a film; nowadays they are an art form unto themselves. For Motion Graphics Designer, Simon Baird, design houses such as The Tomato and Imaginary Forces (remember the unravelling gauze shots at the beginning of the movie The Mummy?) are a creative inspiration for his own career - a career which he is passionate about.

''I love design. I wake up every day and it's something I want to do. When you're working in the graphic design field, you're helping create emotional responses. Design can influence people, and make them happy or keep them interested in a subject.''

After completing a Diploma in Graphic Design and Multimedia from TAFE, Simon joined the design firm, Q Multi Medium as a motion graphics designer. Motions graphics are the visual stimulations or moving graphics you see on a screen, as opposed to normal two dimensional print images.

Simon's day is busy, working on projects as varied as doing television commercials, designing websites, CD ROMs and even the graphics you see on the screens in nightclubs.

He works closely with his clients, beginning with a creative brief and envisaging their goals. A one minute long graphic piece for television takes into account factors such as the target audience and the market demographics. Simon then comes up with a design-based solution.

''It's important to know what the client wants, yet also let them be surprised when they see it. And you have to be fresh with every idea. Look at the market, calculate what's being done and then do the opposite.''

Inspiration comes from all avenues of life, whether it's architecture, art or culture. The secret, Simon believes, is to be ready to record ideas immediately.

''Don't limit yourself because you're working with computer graphics. Always have a paintbrush handy, or a pencil to sketch ideas. And keep a notebook by your bed because the best ideas seem to occur just before you go to sleep.''

In the design industry it's important to keep abreast of the ever changing technologies. Simon recommends that graphic design students familiarise themselves with Adobe After-Effects, Media 100, PhotoShop and Illustrator. Though he cautions that it is a fallacy to assume that good design is only about special effects and the latest software.

''The computer is just a tool. The ideas you put in the computer are only as good as what you've put down on paper. Finally, you must be able to sell the idea to a client.''