Graphic Designers often get asked what exactly it is that they do. Some people believe their expertise starts and ends with logos while others believe they spend all day drawing. For the latest of our ‘Day in the Life’ feature, April Ward fills us in on her typical day as a Junior Graphic Designer at ROYD Tool Group.
My day starts at 8am and the first thing I do is check my emails and my priorities for the week with a cup of coffee. My role is very diverse which I like, but the tasks I do each day depends on what the priority is and the nearest deadline. I use a project management system called Monday.com to help me plan my day each morning.
Being a Graphic Designer involves being able to communicate information through visual concepts which requires a lot of visual problem solving. This can be anything from designing company newsletters and deal sheets for suppliers, to producing content designs and editing our latest product images to meet the brand requirements.
The great thing about being a designer is the variety of work you’re involved in, so there generally is no ‘typical day’. Plus, as ROYD is an owner of three brands – SMART, Optimaxx and TRACER, producing work for a total of four brands helps to keep the work different.
What do you like most about your role?
Being creative is my favourite part of the role. Being a designer has been a career choice of mine for a long time and to finally be able to do it is incredible. I’m a creative person and to be able to produce design work that goes out into the real world is really fulfilling. Some design projects can last months, but to be able to see what you’ve been able to achieve at the end of it is really rewarding.
I also enjoy developing my skills and learning new things. Since joining ROYD I’ve been able to learn from multiple people of different aspects which has helped to make my job easier and help me advance my skills.
What skills do you need for your role?
There are a few skills you need in order to be a successful Graphic Designer. Firstly, you need to think on your feet creatively. There will always be projects that require a consistent design, but there are times where you will need to think outside the box to keep everything fresh and new.
Additionally, organisation is crucial. You will most likely be working on multiple projects at once so you need to be able to organise and manage your workload. Notebooks and diaries are a great way to stay organised!
Finally, having a good perspective on criticism is important. A lot of people have developed a thick skin towards criticism and take pride in their ability to brush it off. However, criticism is a great opportunity to grow as a designer so if you can learn to have the right attitude towards feedback, it will stand you in good stead.
What’s been the highlight of your role so far?
Completing our recent quarterly ROYD Insight newsletter was a rewarding moment for me because I revamped the newsletter from its original design. This was exciting because I had a lot of creative freedom and seeing the final design made all the challenges that came with it worthwhile.
Also, the artwork that I’ve been working on will soon be on the shelves in builders’ merchants for the first time which I’m really excited about and this will definitely be another highlight.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to do your role?
One piece of advice I would give is to be as creative and open minded as you can. Also, never kick yourself when you make a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes but the best thing about doing it is you will always learn from them.
Want to get an insight into other roles? Take a look at Mahmoud’s Day in the Life as a Supply Chain Operations Manager.
