Do graphic designers ever work with photographers?

[Senor Hound]

So, I've been looking for a good career to go into. I love computers, but I want to be creative also. Plus, I (obviously) like photography. So if I went to school to be a graphic design artist, would I learn how to photoshop images and stuff? I don't know if graphic design artists do any photography or not. I know its not ALL they do, but maybe some?

Also, even if they don't edit photos, do they ever work alongside the photographer?

 

[Alfred D.]

A designer designs, Senor. A designer designs the photos the photographer is supposed to photograph. A designer does not shoot photos. A designer also does not edit photos. The photo editor does that. A designer is (supposed to be) a pro. Photographers and editors are pros too, but in different fields. It's just like with your dentist: he/she directs the orthodontic technician what kind of prosthetics to make but does not (can not) do that himself. Each pro his/her own specialty.

Designers – a.k.a. 'art directors' – don't often work 'alongside photographers' on the set/in the studio. They design and present their design to the client for approval, and maybe suggest a photographer to execute it. The client decides.

So basically, designing, photographing, and photo editing are distinctly separate disciplines. And designers, photographers, and photo editors do not necessarily work together/'alongside eachother', but they always do work consecutively on a project.

Does that make it any clearer?

 

[Arch]

So, I've been looking for a good career to go into. I love computers, but I want to be creative also. Plus, I (obviously) like photography. So if I went to school to be a graphic design artist, would I learn how to photoshop images and stuff? I don't know if graphic design artists do any photography or not. I know its not ALL they do, but maybe some?

Also, even if they don't edit photos, do they ever work alongside the photographer?

At Art collage if you choose Graphic Design you will be involved in Photography modules... so in that sense yes they are related.

After art collage, it all depends on what kind of job you fall into.

If you work for a local paper, you could either be strictly involved in page layout and advert design (using photos taken by the photographer) OR it is possible to get the photo editing job using your graphic design qualification.

If you work for a large design company, you will only really be doing design work, but you WILL be expected to be able to digitaly touch up a photograph.

If you work for a smaller business there is every possibility you will be asked at some stage if you can take a few images yourself.

If you work for yourself then you can offer design and photography/image creation.

So basically, once you have a graphic design qualification you can be exected to, or use it, to get into the following fields:
Traditional Design - (postsers, adverts, logos etc)
Website Design
Interactive Design
Image Editing
Creative Imaging
Product Design


The best advice i can give you tho is to try and talk to some local graphic designers and see what the industry is like in your area.
Some places (including my home city) are very difficult to find work as the collage keeps churning out new designers and artists but there isnt enough work for them so most either have to move or end up in a different line of work. Other areas tho have a booming media industry in which case you'd be ok.

 

[TheLostPhotographer]

Generally, it's only the high end Graphic Design agencies and consultants that will commission a photographer. They may choose a photographer because of the photographer's specific style, or expertise in a certain subject. The photographer would then work under direction from the designer, or creative director.

As far as most Graphic Designers are concerned many now shoot their own photographs, or just use stock images. Even Graphic Designers employed by large companies that also employ a staff photographer use their own photographs when suitable.

Graphic Designers also edit other photographers photographs.

All job descriptions that have roles in the world of advertising have merged with the advent of digital technologies. Excepting the premier league of Advertising and Graphic Design where very specialist skills can be paid for, it's very much become about DIY if you can due to the lowering costs and more competitive market (more players).

 

[TheLostPhotographer]

Probably also worth a mention in this thread...

Do Photographers use Graphic Designers?

I get really very tired of listening to rants from 'established' professional photographers who moan about how their business has suffered as a result of digital cameras and a drop in industry standards. 'Everyone and anyone is doing it these days' they cry.

So, how many photographers actually employ a Graphic Designer to do their business stationary, business cards, web sites?

Very, very few. Because, they may as well do it themselves on their PC, or Mac.

:mrgreen:

 

[epatsellis]

A designer designs, Senor. A designer designs the photos the photographer is supposed to photograph. A designer does not shoot photos. A designer also does not edit photos. The photo editor does that. A designer is (supposed to be) a pro. Photographers and editors are pros too, but in different fields. It's just like with your dentist: he/she directs the orthodontic technician what kind of prosthetics to make but does not (can not) do that himself. Each pro his/her own specialty.

Designers – a.k.a. 'art directors' – don't often work 'alongside photographers' on the set/in the studio. They design and present their design to the client for approval, and maybe suggest a photographer to execute it. The client decides.

So basically, designing, photographing, and photo editing are distinctly separate disciplines. And designers, photographers, and photo editors do not necessarily work together/'alongside eachother', but they always do work consecutively on a project.

Does that make it any clearer?

Is this a recent trend? I did several major catalogs for some larger companies in the past (mid 80's). The art director basically camped out at the studio, approving polaroids and final trannies. And not little companies, big multi-billion dollar companies.

As an aside, it used to be that art directors are the photoographer's best resource, make friends with them, and when they move (and they do quite a bit) you have an in to a new company, and the person that typically makes the decision already knows your work.

The art director that I'm working with now on a catalog job seems to be an odd character, took months to get to see him, he flat out told me that there's no way we can compete with the studio he's using (out of Detroit) on price or quality. I offered to shoot 1 product free, sent the file over to him, and within 5 mins. he was on the phone. Seems that there are some small town shooters that know how to do it after all. (In all fairness, I lived and competed in a large city, had the big studio, etc. and just recently got the itch to start shooting commercially again, the adjustment to digital isn't as bad as I thought it would be)


erie

 

[Alpha]

No. But art directors do.

 

[bhop]

No. But art directors do.

I agree. I've been a graphic designer for 15 years and haven't ever worked with a professional photographer. I have taken some random shots myself and used them on projects, but unless you're an art director in an ad agency, or fashion company, chances are you, as a graphic designer, won't ever deal with photographers.

 

[Arch]

I have delt with photographers several times, as i say it entirely depends on which of the various industries you end up in.

 

[craig]

I have worked with many graphic designers. That is to say they provided me with my best clients and slightly helped with some of the shoots. One in particular happened to be an amazing stylist. Learned a lot from her. Now the art directors I have worked with have played a huge role in my photography. Not to mention their role in the publications or stories I worked on. Check this short bio on the world's greatest AD/designer

http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/medalist-alexeybrodovitch

Love & Bass

 

[skieur]

A designer designs, Senor. A designer designs the photos the photographer is supposed to photograph. A designer does not shoot photos. A designer also does not edit photos. The photo editor does that. A designer is (supposed to be) a pro. Photographers and editors are pros too, but in different fields. It's just like with your dentist: he/she directs the orthodontic technician what kind of prosthetics to make but does not (can not) do that himself. Each pro his/her own specialty.

Designers – a.k.a. 'art directors' – don't often work 'alongside photographers' on the set/in the studio. They design and present their design to the client for approval, and maybe suggest a photographer to execute it. The client decides.

So basically, designing, photographing, and photo editing are distinctly separate disciplines. And designers, photographers, and photo editors do not necessarily work together/'alongside eachother', but they always do work consecutively on a project.

Does that make it any clearer?

To confuse things, strictly speaking the above is correct but it does not work that way if you become media consultant to a company or organization. If that happens, then you are expected to handle all aspects of all media in both the administration and hands-on production as well.

In that position for 15 years, I have handled everything from photography, graphics design, 3D graphics animation, multi-image presentations, photojournalism, media resource productions, public relations, television production, direction, camera work, scripting, editing, and even appearing on camera.

So it is really not that straightforward. The amount of specialization depends on the size of the organization. It is still possible to be both a photographer and graphics designer and even a television producer as well.

skieur

 

[reg]

A designer designs, Senor. A designer designs the photos the photographer is supposed to photograph. A designer does not shoot photos. A designer also does not edit photos. The photo editor does that. A designer is (supposed to be) a pro. Photographers and editors are pros too, but in different fields. It's just like with your dentist: he/she directs the orthodontic technician what kind of prosthetics to make but does not (can not) do that himself. Each pro his/her own specialty.

Designers – a.k.a. 'art directors' – don't often work 'alongside photographers' on the set/in the studio. They design and present their design to the client for approval, and maybe suggest a photographer to execute it. The client decides.

So basically, designing, photographing, and photo editing are distinctly separate disciplines. And designers, photographers, and photo editors do not necessarily work together/'alongside eachother', but they always do work consecutively on a project.

Does that make it any clearer?

The topic clearly says GRAPHIC DESIGNERS!