So, you’re a design graduate about to embark on your first venture in to design world? Whether you work in a huge global studio, a small boutique studio, in-house or even freelancing, you’ll come across a number of different people working different jobs and you may find yourself a bit stumped about what exactly everyone does!
We’ve all been there so we at Shillington have created a handy breakdown of the head honchos and main positions and who is doing what exactly in most studios.
Highly organised, efficient and personable.
The thought of a missed deadline keeps them up at night.
These lovers of organisation, Microsoft Excel and strategic post-it notes are the main point of contact between the client and the creative team. They’ll be in touch with them everyday, coordinating campaigns and ensuring that the work created importantly matches the client’s brief.
They’re also in charge of the operational side of things, so things like finances, company planning and organisation—basically, keeping the studio moving.
Always aware of the latest styles and trends. Enjoys variety and an absolute boss of multitasking—always working on multiple projects at once.
Working under the supervision of the Creative Director, Art Directors coordinate the work of the studio’s graphic designers. They make sure the client gets what they asked for, ensuring that the client’s desired message and image is conveyed to their audience.
They’re responsible for the overall visual look and feel of a campaign.
Well respected, inspiring and a touch controversial.
Think the Don Draper of Mad Men of the real world.
Ultimately responsible for the quality of any creative work that leaves the studio and for taking a whole team of employees, creative and otherwise, under their wing. They’re not new to this, it takes years of experience to become a Creative Director.
They have to be prone to making rash decisions—equally demonstrating the value in following your intuition. They can recognise the crux of a problem in a blink of an eye and understand a myriad of different perspectives.
Often obsessive (to the point of almost being obsessive compulsive). Even a millimetre out a place is not good enough.
Designers range from interns to juniors, to mid-weight and seniors and are usually found in teams of 3—6.
The role can cover a wide spectrum of different tasks from logo design to digital front end design—just as long as they’re perfect!
Always on the ball with a super analytical mind.
Brand Strategists research and analyse market data trends to ensure the studio produces a consistent and effective brand message. They chat with clients to understand the values of their brand, identify any problems and, most importantly, find a solution.
Words, words and more words.
Copywriters are responsible for generating the words, slogans and scripts for campaigns.
This means that they have to be highly creative and have an amazing grip of language. They work closely with the design team and, in smaller studios, the designers are the copywriters themselves!
The so-called “Mother Hen’ of the studio.
The Studio Manager makes sure the studio runs smoothly by supervising all the admin—from raising invoices and organising meetings to stocking up the fridge and planning the Christmas do. Will sometimes work closely with the Account Managers to brief designers on smaller jobs.
Of course, these are only seven of the colleagues you may come across when you start working in a studio. There’s also Managing Directors, Illustrators, UX and UI Designers, Design Directors, Marketing Executives, Lead Developers, Web Developers, Photographers, Heads of Strategy, Art Workers, Production Managers… The list goes on!
Illustrations by former Shillington London teacher Fiona Martin.
Would you like to work in a creative studio? Study design 3 months full-time or 9 months part-time at Shillington in New York, London, Manchester, Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
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