Mellow asked: I am trying to get a job as a Junior Graphic Designer. Beside knowing how to use the software and being able to draw and design, could you tell me what other skills and knowledge are needed to work in an office, for example procedures such as sending something to the printers, colour and finishing techniques.
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If you could get pre-press and printer knowledge, you would be at a distinct advantage. It’s great if you can get a trip to a working printers and see the process for yourself. There are also some great books out there if you don’t have time to actually visit.
You should have a basic knowledge of 4 colour process printing, how to create print-ready pdfs (most printers and publishers use these to print jobs now) and ordinary pdfs for client approval. There are many do’s and don’t’s of printing as well as manuals of house styles and only time and experience will teach you all of them, besides which employers know what level of knowledge they expect, if you have a higher level it can only make you more attractive as an employee.
For typography the essential read is – Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst – it is pure gold.
I haven’t read this, but the pdf looks promising, there other books available on print production
There’s an awful lot you will be able to pick up if you manage to get a foothold. There should be an office manager to help you. My daughter has been working in publishing for several years, having done an Art History degree and failing to get a precisely relevant job. Her IT skills have taken her through quite a bit, and the office already had a number of programmes and processes and training schemes set up to help her.