As a graphic designer working in a corporate setting, you can take part in creative projects that have the potential to impact thousands of people. From designing eye-catching visuals for marketing campaigns to creating innovative logos and product designs for your organization, there are so many opportunities for successful outcomes with the right combination of talent, skill, and knowledge. But succeeding as a graphic designer in this environment requires more than just creativity – it also demands certain essential qualities that help ensure success across teams and departments.
Here are three essential traits to succeed as a graphic designer in a corporate setting:
Upholding a Collaborative Design Process
As a graphic designer, cross-functional collaboration and coordination with departments throughout the design process is essential for the successful completion of any project. This means that close communication and effective organization are critical aspects of development in order to ensure the relevant stakeholders have the tools they need to achieve an optimal outcome.
“In my particular position, I work closely with the engineering and sales teams—an interesting group to bridge the creative gap between,” said Matthew Shalda, a graphic designer from Michigan. “I make sure I figure out who is responsible for a particular detail on the project and what information I need to gather. If it’s an engineering project, I involve them. If it’s a sales project, I involve them.”
Especially when collaborating with non-creative teams, it’s important to remember that you may need to present your designs in multiple mediums throughout the design process. By exploring different formats and options, you’ll be better equipped to demonstrate how each of your creative decisions will support both the objective of the project as well as the overall look and feel.
“My first step is to convey my idea for the design visually if I can’t verbally explain it,” said Shalda. “If it doesn’t come across as intended during the initial meeting or email, I’ll sketch it out or send my teammates an early draft.”
While some members of non-creative teams may be able to visualize designs with verbal instruction, finding more creative ways to communicate concepts and receive early feedback is an essential part of the process. Working together in tandem, you can create holistic designs that maintain consistency and make use of relevant technological advancements.
Knowing what other departments are working on will allow for more efficient revisions and for any additional information to be included seamlessly into the visuals. In short, promoting cross-functional collaborations throughout the design process enables better designs which ultimately result in superior end products.
Integrating Various Design Strategies
As a graphic designer in a corporate setting, it is important to have multiple design skills and strategies incorporated into one’s workflow. This includes the ability to properly use multiple mediums such as print, digital, and multimedia designs to create successful projects that visualize your concept successfully.
For Shalda, this means integrating his experience in 3D design into his graphic design work. This allows him to capitalize on the best avenues for displaying a concept.
“In my position, I was given 2D line art versions of engineer files. Sometimes I would edit those directly or I would modify them to fit into a 3D scene to provide better context – whether it was installation instructions or more visualization for a project,” said Shalda. “That 3D experience bridged the gap.”
When it comes to presenting a project or product, multiple mediums or strategies are key for effective communication, particularly in a corporate setting consisting of cross-functional teams who aren’t in the creative realm. It is important to carefully adjust the design presentation for different audiences in order to deliver a successful presentation and enhance the audience experience.
It is essential to consider how data can be best visualized and communicated based on the given knowledge and skills of the audience. An intuitive design presentation can ensure that all parties understand what they are viewing and how it relates to the overall project or product objectives.
Being Flexible and Willing to Take on New Challenges
Working as a graphic designer in a corporate setting requires flexibility and an eagerness to take on new challenges to ensure project success. Business environments are constantly changing, meaning designers must be versatile and ready to adjust their perspective.
“Priorities change all the time in corporate environments. It’s important to be invested to meet and exceed expectations but also being able to switch from spending hours on one project to taking it in a new direction,” said Shalda. “It’s taking those curveballs as they come and dealing with them without getting upset – deciding how you can take a project and either adapt it or scrap it and continue to move forward with something new.”
Designers must have the flexibility to step out of the box if needed and adapt to the resources available while still upholding the project’s vision. Having flexibility at hand paired with a willingness to take on new challenges is vital for project success in any corporate setting.
Having a successful career as a graphic designer in a corporate setting requires many skills. The ability to collaborate with others, integrate multiple mediums, and be flexible during the design process are essential traits for any graphic designer looking to find success in their field. Embracing these qualities will ensure that you are able to create designs that successfully align to key stakeholders’ visions and embrace the long-term objectives of your organization.