An Extraordinaire, An Expert, and a Professional: An Assistant Graphic Designer

Assistant Graphic Designer

The term "assistant graphic designer" seems like a self-explanatory term. But, if you ask one exactly what a graphic designer does, often he is not sure: "they design graphics?"

An assistant graphic designer assists the principal designer by creating graphics, developing typographic compositions, conducting design research, and sampling colors for client presentations. Assistant graphic designers rarely design or create their ideas. Rather, they create different options of a single design. These different options can include different color variations, typography choices, or even size options. Assistant graphic designers are important in the design process. They give clients as many options for a design as possible. Along with this, their work allows principal designers to be working on as many projects as possible. Most recently, I was an assistant graphic designer at Sussman Prejza & Co.

There are three descriptions to describe the role of an assistant graphic designer:

• Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator Extraordinaire
• Color Expert
• Typography Professional

I will explain an assistant graphic designer's job by using examples from my experience at Sussman Prejza & Co.

Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator Extraordinaire

The work of an Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator extraordinaire include:

• Making small edits to existing graphics
• Making basic graphic outlines for sketches

An assistant graphic designer must always be ready to help with any request, without asking too many questions. Principal graphic designers are too busy to be answering questions about software, color, or font.

While working at Sussman Prejza & Co, I edited and created designs in Photoshop and Illustrator. At times, I would be unsure of how to do something, but was aware that my boss did not have the time to explain. Instead, I would excessively research and use problem-solving skills to figure it out. Though overwhelming, this process made me a more confident and independent graphic designer.

Color Expert

In this role, an assistant graphic designer:

• Must recognize color harmonies and discords
• Be aware of positive and negative space with color

As an assistant graphic designer, you must be aware of color harmonies and discords. This creates successful color choices and designs. You must recognize positive and negative space and its relation to color in any design. 

When I was an assistant graphic designer, my boss would give me designs she created. My task would be to create color options for the client. I had to be aware of what the project was and who the audience would be to succeed in my color decisions. It was necessary and helpful to have a color guide by my side at all times.

Typography Professional

As typography professional, an assistant graphic design must be able to do the following:

• Recognize and suggest typefaces
• Create typographic compositions and samplings

You must be able to recognize and suggest typefaces at the drop of a hat. This knowledge enables you to aid your principal graphic designer efficiently. This ability comes with experience and will be an ever-important skill in your career. Along with this, you will create typographic compositions and samples. Your boss provides you with existing compositions. Your task is to return them with samples of different typography for the client.

My favorite part of being an assistant graphic designer at Sussman Prejza was when I was able to improve existing designs with typography. The principle designer gave me a series of wall graphics and ask me to switch different typefaces in and out. The goal in doing this was to create more exciting compositions. I played around with these compositions for hours and showed the to my boss. In the end, the client chose my designs for the final product. It was exciting and rewarding to see my work used in a professional project.

Flesch Reading Ease: 53.7

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 9.3

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