Bjorn Burke, STAR Writer

If one opts to be a graphic designer, one will be required to create concepts and ideas for clients, taking an interest in understanding their needs from thought to conceptualisation.

THE STAR, in its Jobs and Careers section, is again seeking to match employers and employees. After searching the Gleaner Classifieds for job postings this week, our news team connected with 65-year-old Emer Robinson, the proprietor of 'The Sign Shop', located in Spanish Town, St Catherine. The graphic design business specialises in the creation of signs and vinyls for motor vehicles. Robinson told our news team that he wants to fill the vacancy of a graphic designer as he seeks to expand his business.

The classified advertisement posted by the entity called for a "young lady needed to work as graphic artist," who "must be computer literate" and "must have Math and English".

"We do signs and we do a little graphic on motor vehicles as well. Somebody might come in and want a little thing on the top of the windscreen. You should be able to show them what it looks like because half the time they come in, they don't know what they want. So, the person must be able to say 'alright, why not do it this way or that way' and they add a little thing to it," he explained.

"What I need is somebody to work at the counter. I need a female for that type of thing. If somebody comes in and they give her a word or a letter, she can show them how it going to look."

Creativity

Being a graphic designer is heavily dependent on client interactions and requires one to have a certain creative flair, while possessing knowledge of industry software. Robinson stressed that being personable goes a far way in the field. It is also important for the candidate to show knowledge of aesthetic specifications regarding font, type size and style.

"They need to be able to quote prices so that persons feel good. We need an honest, hard-working person. We don't want a person that come and just want a job. We want somebody who can make the client loosen up. The client might say dem want this, but the employee can maybe say well, this will look a little better. They have to be versatile," he said, noting that it is important to have knowledge of emerging technologies such as QuarkXPress, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and FreeHand.

It appears as though Robinson is fairly flexible regarding qualifications for the post. However, following traditional schooling up to the secondary level, those who wish to excel in the area may explore options such as a course offered by the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) at the University of the West Indies, Mona. By the end of the course, one will become versed in logo design and even posters or billboard advertising.

"English and math is good enough for me. If the person is able to read measuring tape that would be good. People come and say, 'boy, mi want two inches', but that person doesn't know what two inches look like, so the employee needs to be able to show them properly," he said.

Interested persons are invited to contact the organisation at (876) 403-6626 or (876) 320-7995.

More vacancies of a similar nature:

Applications are invited for the following posts for October 2015.

LOGO STITCH Manufacturing Limited in Kingston

Graphic Artist with at least three years experience, who is competent in Coral, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Candidate must also have experience in preparing artwork for screen printing and must be able to create and edit magazine and brochure creation.

Interested parties may email resumes to info@logostitchja.com by October 7.