Graphic Artist vs Graphic Designer - What's the Difference?

The differences between graphic artists and graphic designers can be pretty unclear. In this video, I cover the nuances in the industry and in job listings.
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[@GDHT]

Learn how to ETHICALLY get Adobe CC free (or cheap) here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5OVo5-JaMmGoLM

[@DavidRavenMoon]

Don’t forget about “pre-press” too. That’s what I’ve done since before computers got involved in the mix. But it’s pretty much the same as a production artist, with a solid understanding of the technical side of printing. Many graphic designers don’t seem to know much about printing, such as spot colors vs. process colors and when to use them. The majority of my time was fixing the designers’ files so they would print properly.

[@GDHT]

Yes! I think pre-press is more focused on getting files to print correctly (vs production where you're trying to get as much accurate work done as possible). Most designers never touch the prepress side, so they just don't know what it entails. I spent time as a digital pre-press artist, but I have no clue about 4-color printing, for example. I went on to designer after that...so I'm very thankful to those pre-press artists who fix my files!! :D

[@DavidRavenMoon]

Graphic Design How To I love your videos, by the way. Even an old dog like me can learn new tricks. 😃

[@GDHT]

@@DavidRavenMoon thank you so much!!

[@vegetablehead]

i think it really depends on experience and years in the industry. my printer stopped using spot colors decades ago, and what a relief that was! i remember when i first started in the industry, we were creating CMYK postscript separations, saving them on syquest disks and driving them to the nearest airborne express before they closed at 7pm for next day delivery to the printer. time reference? mid 90s. oh yeah, there was no direct to plate. everything was output to film negatives before going to plate. times have changed!

[@DavidRavenMoon]

@@vegetablehead You wouldn't use CMYK to print a 2 or three color job. That's when you'd use spot colors... like if it was black and PMS 186. Lots of commercial printing is like that. Especially for things you get in the mail. Before desktop publishing, I was an offset stripper and plate maker. A lot of people these days don't know what that is. lol Even after computers I was the one getting the film from the image setter and often stripping up the imposition, because our image setter couldn't do a 8 page layout, just single pages.

[@Leyla18231]

Thank you so much for explaining these differences, I am a recent graphic design graduate and I had no idea about this!

[@GDHT]

You’re welcome!!

[@laurad.1178]

Thank you so much for fulfilling my video request! I really appreciate your wealth of knowledge. If you’re up for some more video ideas, I’ve got plenty! 😃 I’d love to see a video on color spaces. I usually have my color space set in Adobe Illustrator to the gracol something or other color space but I really have no idea why. Ha! I copy and pasted someone else’s vector logo into my AI file today and the color completely changed. Went from a Pantone solid coated color to a Pantone solid uncoated. Left me scratching my head. So yeah, a video on all aspects of color settings would be reeeally helpful, if you don’t already have one out there. This could be part of a video series titled ‘things they never taught you in college but should have’. 😅 Thanks again, Anne! Happy New Year!

[@GDHT]

Thank you so much for the suggestion! I really appreciate it!! It does get really hard to come up with ideas for videos every week. Color spaces, etc have always been a bit confusing for me too, but maybe I can do some research on it. I will add it to the list! And happy New Year to you!!

[@jcrosestudios]

I thought graphic artists can be just as creative while they can take their own photographs or drawings and digitally manipulate them and change colors etc. for artsake like you said. Where graphic designers have more strategy yes, but I thought they can have equal levels of creativity as graphic artists?

[@GDHT]

Yes, I think they can be just as creative! Usually the graphic art positions themselves are a little less creative since they're usually manipulating someone else's work, though. But that's just been my experience, and this is something that widely varies from company to company!

[@hannahmayo6582]

This is so interesting! Super clear description and you have a really calming presence! 🙏🏻

[@GDHT]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@hannahmayo6582]

Graphic Design How To You’re welcome! 😁🙏🏻

[@seismixx]

Exactly the opposite of what I thought lmaoo. In the lower end of the market, most employees don't even understand the titles. A 'graphic artist' is soo rarely mentioned in job titles even though a large portion of the work is actually a job for a graphic artists, and not specifically for a full fledged designer. I'm sharing this to my former bosses.

[@GDHT]

They're definitely loose terms, although I feel like this is the general consensus. :D

[@akhu3034]

This is an eye opener - thank you - I [think I] know what I wanna do now production/graphic artist as a second stream/side of income, don't think I can be creative... I'll binge on all your Ai videos and let you know how I get on!

[@GDHT]

I felt exactly the same way for a long time - the creative side was scary to me! But after years of being a production artist, it does get a bit boring, and creativity is the solution!

[@abumekal]

Thank you, this really help, please keep sharing these tips ,I hope that you have a great day.😊

[@GDHT]

You’re welcome! You have a great day too!

[@YoGirl-zj9lf]

Can you do a video of you working on a client's order so we can see hands on what the work involves??

[@GDHT]

That's an interesting idea! If I do it, though, I'd probably do it as a Skillshare class - it would be much too long for KZbin.

[@djfingersflores]

This was AWESOME ! Thanks a mil

[@GDHT]

You're welcome - and thank you so much!

[@rivuuuh]

Very helpful video! thank you

[@GDHT]

You're welcome - I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@ibrahimhassan8239]

This is a real video, I was looking thanks alot. .

[@GDHT]

You're welcome! :)

[@ibrahimhassan8239]

@@GDHT i have finished the hi school last year, would share with me the free online courses..?

[@justinamponin8182]

Great video as always 😁

[@GDHT]

Thank you so much!!

[@aliguddam]

Thank you , I love your videos ❤️

[@GDHT]

Sami Guddam Thank you so much!!!

[@VirtuosOMy]

I hope to grow in depth in this field.

[@GDHT]

I hope you do too!! :)

[@austinsandifer5006]

Thankyou for the breakdown,it was very helpful😊👍!!!!

[@GDHT]

You are so welcome!

[@mercedes7761]

Thank you so much! Super helpful

[@GDHT]

You're welcome...and thank you!!

[@kasseyz4355]

Thank you so much for this video

[@GDHT]

You're welcome 😊

[@dcabral00]

I love production work! Ive been doing it for over 22 years! I guess I enjoy getting paid for doing something that is effordless to me. It might be politically correct to claim that you want and need your job to be challenging, exciting, etc. But in my case, I need to know what I am doing, and how I am doing it, etc. Sometimes, I do get a chance to do something new, but when that happens is for a project that is going to fit a continous production line. A job is about getting pay for doing something something that someone needs, and not for doing something fun, and exciting.

[@GDHT]

I think if you love production, why change? I did it for 7 years, and really loved the first few...then I got a bit bored, so I redid my portfolio and landed a more creative position, which was better for me personally - and paid better, which was an added benefit. I agree with you that a job fulfills a need for someone, and both positions (production artist and designer) definitely do that. I do think a job can also be fun and exciting, though - if you find a job that's that way, it's a win-win!!

[@shadynasty6393]

Great video!

[@GDHT]

Thank you!!

[@ninaramondo8915]

Thanks, very helpful informative information

[@muratyldrm4869]

I would like to inquire about a topic, can you help me?

[@GDHT]

Thank you!!

[@GDHT]

Sure; what topic do you need help with?

[@muratyldrm4869]

@@GDHT I design a logo, but I can't be very successful because my English is bad, I need a friend to practice

[@amitartswalchandnagar3195]

Hi

[@BestProductsAround]

Great video

[@GDHT]

Thank you!!

[@Jojo-xg2kr]

What category does animation go into if your studying in college or at least something roughly similar learning how to animate if that makes sense.

[@GDHT]

I consider that a whole other category - animator. :)

[@lynnelhampton-bott6917]

I don’t have formal training but I design flyers, Zoom backgrounds and social media graphics for my company. Could I call myself a graphic artist?

[@GDHT]

I think you can call yourself anything you want! 😊 Are you wanting to switch into a graphic artist role? Or I guess, what is your current role?

[@peacefusion]

looks like youre being asked to work multiple hats in order not to pay an artist.

[@bihugadgets9267]

What is difference between creative designer and graphic designer plzzz plzzzzz tell. And can we learn 2D/3D animation in graphic or creative designing.

[@GDHT]

I don’t see a lot of difference between a creative designer and graphic designer. It’s just two different names for the same thing. Yes, you can learn any extra skills you want in graphic or creative design. Any of those will help you when looking for a job, usually.

[@stardarkk]

I love ur smile 😳🥺

[@GDHT]

Thanks! :)

[@justeanestis9847]

I want to take a course on computer graphic artists or graphic design, but I want to be creative. Should I take a computer graphic artist career course? I found a computer graphic artist course on Pennfoster. Or would you know any legit course for computer graphic design?

[@GDHT]

To me, a computer graphic artist course sounds more like a course to learn one of the design programs. But, once you know the programs, you're able to create what you want. The graphic design (creative) courses usually come later - you need to already know the programs at that point. Usually they will just assign you a project, like 'Create a business card and letterhead' and you are just being creative - you've already learned the programs.

[@laurenlunamar4729]

Can you get a certificate in graphic design? I want a certificate in that and web design so I can start my own business as a freelancer. I did some research and certificates as freelancers can make decent pay and I am hoping to use that to build experience to have my own business is that possible?

[@GDHT]

I think there are plenty of schools that offer a graphic design certificate. BUT you absolutely don't need something like that to start your own business as a freelancer. All you need is proof (usually in the form of a portfolio) to show you're a good graphic designer, advertise your services, and you'll be able to find clients easily. Good graphic designers are pretty hard to come by, imo.

[@istorya3595]

good video:? how do you do your transition here? what do you use:)

[@GDHT]

I don't understand what you mean...

[@christophertomino3520]

Do you need a college degree for s digital designer to get a job or a ged be enough to get the job ?

[@GDHT]

If you have a great portfolio, you will probably be able to get a job without a degree at most smaller companies. A lot of the larger ones require a degree, though.

[@ib_concept]

Brand standards, info graphics

[@GDHT]

What do you mean?

[@ib_concept]

Jotting nitty gritties

[@abijahdixon2771]

What is a cinematic graphic artist?

[@abijahdixon2771]

I looked online and the descriptions for this job is quite vague, but thanks for your video, its still a b confusing for me haha, yet explains a lot more than I could find online.

[@GDHT]

I've never heard of that, but I would say it's a graphic designer or artist that works on films. Maybe they help design visual concepts or decide on fonts, images, and illustrations that are used in the movie.

[@ib_concept]

Production artist

[@GDHT]

Production artist would fall under graphic artist, usually.

[@OoziHobo]

Cute smile.

[@GDHT]

Thank you!!

[@dianaharo6985]

but who gets paid more?

[@GDHT]

Usually a graphic designer, but it varies - I think a senior graphic artist may make more than a beginner graphic designer.

[@galigyal399]

@@GDHT thank you so much 🙏

[@GDHT]

You're welcome!

[@quiettornado1970]

I’m trained in graphic design but prefer Graphic Artist.

[@GDHT]

For a lot of companies, the terms are interchangeable! 😀

[@YoGirl-zj9lf]

Is GD more math-based?

[@GDHT]

No, actually I would think GA is *slightly* more math-based, because you need to be more precise. But neither are math-based, honestly.

[@muratyldrm4869]

you are very cute baby

[@GDHT]

Ha! Thanks

[@allwehadtodowasfollowtheda3061]

🤨