A broadcast designer works for an electronic media company, such as a television station, advertising agency, film production facility, or broadcasting corporation, to create and maintain a visual corporate image. Although some broadcast designers have taught themselves through hands-on experience, many colleges and universities offer undergraduate degrees and training in broadcast design. Broadcast designers are usually good listeners and visual communicators, and they can sometimes start or communicate a concept with just a single sketch. An exceptional sense of design, color, composition, color harmony, and typography is required of a broadcast designer.
A broadcast designer’s job entails creating or maintaining a specific look and feel for a television station or broadcasting company. For any television station or broadcasting corporation, the concept, creation, and production of a consistent look for on-screen graphics is critical. This job’s responsibilities include creating graphics concepts and designs, having a working knowledge of specific computer programs and graphic software, being able to produce high-quality work under extremely tight deadlines, and maintaining a corporate image or brand’s specific graphic look and feel.
A working knowledge of animation, motion graphics, computer graphics imagery, and a solid working knowledge of the latest graphic software are all required for the position of broadcast designer. A good broadcast designer has honed the ability to generate solid, visual concepts from sometimes muddled or ambiguous data. A storm graphic for a hurricane segment on a newscast, a title screen for an upcoming documentary, or on-screen graphics for a special program are examples of these graphics that communicate a single idea or thought to viewers in an easily understandable image. Broadcast designers collaborate with reporters to create story graphics, as well as producers and directors to develop the look and feel of various programs. They also supervise production crews and even assist clients with commercial production.
The position of broadcast designer is not for those looking for a traditional 9-to-5 job. This job will almost certainly necessitate long hours, working late into the night, and possibly even overnight, in order to complete and deliver quality work when it is needed. A broadcast designer must be willing to work long shifts over extended periods of time, including weekends and holidays. Perhaps the most important requirements for this job are the ability to work quickly, produce high-quality work, work as part of a team, and meet multiple deadlines.