Media designer

As a media graphicist you transform ideas and messages into visual expressions — both in print and digitally. It can be everything from logos posters and brochures to social media posts and graphics for websites. You work with layout typography and image editing in programmes like Adobe Creative Cloud and learn to use colours fonts and images to tell a story and catch people's attention. It is the trade for those who have a sense of the visual and want to use creativity professionally.

A media designer spends the day designing and producing graphic material according to a client's wishes. You set text and images in a thoughtful layout choose the right typography retouch and adapt images and prepare files for print or screen. Often you work from a brief where you need to hit a specific expression and target audience — and you switch between creative ideas and the precise craft that makes things look professional.

• 01You learn to work professionally in Adobe Creative Cloud.
• 02You get on top of layout, typography, and image processing
• 03You learn to prepare files for both print and digital media.
• 04You turn messages into visual expressions that work
• 05You work creatively, but also in a structured and precise manner
• 06You build a portfolio of real tasks while training

Media designer is a vocational education that lasts 4 years and 5 months. You typically start on a basic course at a vocational school and then go into an apprenticeship at e.g. a design studio, a print shop or a company's own communications department. Here you alternate between school and practical training and receive wages during your education while you work on real tasks. It helps to have a sense of the visual and a desire to learn the technical programmes.

As a fully trained media graphicist you can work in graphic bureaus printing companies advertising agencies or in companies' own communications and marketing departments. Many specialise over time in for example visual identity digital graphics or layout for print. If you want to continue you can build on with further education in communication design or media. A strong portfolio is often your most important ticket to good assignments.

“Good graphics catch attention — but the best design just feels right, without you thinking about why.”