Competencies, Attitude and Behaviour of The Graphic Design Learner For Employment and Customers

The Graphic design learner has to develop some competencies, attitudes and behavioral traits that may enable her or him to be very proficient in his chosen profession or field of study. These attitudes and behavioral patterns don’t come by likelihood. The amateur Graphic artist or learner has to cultivate these traits as he undertakes his projects patiently and with the best care. Some of these competencies, attitudes, and behaviors have been discussed below.

1. Ability to observe- The learner has to develop the power to make critical and serious statement and examination of things within the environment with the view of making an accurate or precise representation of the thing or form. It includes the critical statement of linear patterns, variations of shapes, textures, gradation or tones of colors of natural and manmade objects present in the environment.

2. Ability to make use of memory and imagination to derive and develop ideas- This is the learner’s ability to make use of his or her own imagination to create things without resorting to copying from already existing items. He should cultivate the attitude of brainstorming recent and relevant ideas that could be utilized in creating useful Graphic products.

3. Ability to pre-image/ visualize and make designs of items- The learner should have the opportunity to make use of his senses especially the sense of sight to foresee or visualize how the concept imagined could be utilized in creating designs which in turn could be translated into items.

4. Ability to translate ideas and paper designs into three-dimensional items to resolve problems or satisfy an identified need using the design and technology process- Designs are two-dimensional in form or flat. These paper designs are sometimes generated into three-dimensional forms. The learner has to have the opportunity to meticulously follow the steps within the design and technology process to supply functional items. He must have the mastery to have the opportunity to translate designs on paper into free standing items.

5. Dexterity and creative use of tools, equipment and a range of materials- This refers back to the efficient use of the tools and materials. This involves the proper handling of the tools to execute the work. The learner has to know the character and feel of the tools and materials in order that he can use them appropriately to provide the precise effect within the artwork.

6. Application of knowledge and understanding to constant practice for proficiency and perfection- The learner should ultimately aim at achieving perfection in the varied techniques of artistic production. He should have the opportunity to consistently apply the knowledge that he had acquired through constant practice to supply items with great proficiency or skill.

7. Creativity, originality in considering and end products- The young Graphic artist must make it his or her hallmark to supply items which might be original in design, form, color etc. His ability to create recent things needs to be evident in his considering in addition to in the ultimate products he makes.

8. Ability to answer an artwork by utilizing knowledge and skills in perception, appreciation, criticism, judgement, evaluation and aesthetics- The learner will need to have the power of quickly responding to artworks he comes into contact with. He should have the opportunity to use his senses well in talking intelligently concerning the aesthetic qualities of the work. He must have the opportunity to guage, appreciate and criticize an artwork using the knowledge and skills that he has amassed.

9. Critical considering and problem-solving skills, healthy competition, good human relations, etc. – The learner must also have the opportunity to think in concrete terms and at all times able to bring out ideas that may solve pertinent problems faced by individuals within the society. He should have the opportunity to interact in competitions and exhibitions of Graphic arts held in the college, society or country. He must partake with a clean and clear motives of improving on his skills while learning and taking inspiration from the works of other Graphic artists.

10. Demonstration of human and moral behavior in considering, feeling and acting e.g. honesty, commitment, self-discipline/respect, diligence, patience, tolerance, teamwork, etc. – There are some moral or behavioral traits that the learner must strive hard to cultivate. These include honesty, respect, diligence, patience, tolerance, and teamwork. People would love to have business transactions with an honest and respectful person. The learner must be patient and tolerant to have the opportunity to soak up the pressures from clients which can sometimes be irritating or annoying. As a learner, he must even be able to work with other people to attain the identical goal. This quality would enable him to work in a broader working environment reminiscent of in an industry or factory. In today’s working environment, teamwork is de facto essential for the success of any enterprise.

11. Portfolio of works- The learner has to cultivate the attitude of keeping a portfolio of his creative works either in hard or soft copies. This would enable him to reinforce and improve upon his creative works each time.

12. Ability to perform tasks with little or no supervision- The learner should have the opportunity to perform his assigned work with little or no supervision. He must strive very hard to work independently with or with out a tutor around. This would assist him to develop his skills at a comparatively faster rate.

13. Self-learning/evaluation for improvement- The learner have to be experimental, attempting to learn recent things on his own without being instructed to achieve this by a teacher or supervisor. He should explore recent methods and techniques of achieving already existing production methods and techniques. It needs to be his or her attitude to try using the tools and materials available within the environment to supply meaningful and useful artefacts. Also, he should periodically self-evaluate himself by comparing his previous and current works for the needs of knowing the mistakes in them and improving upon them.

14. Perseverance – The learner must show fighting spirit in attending to his creative works. He shouldn’t hand over in his try to produce a difficult product or difficult exercise. He must not shrink back from handling difficult artistic Graphic design products.

15. Time-management- The learner must have the opportunity to administer his time very efficiently. He needs to be time certain or time conscious in producing his artefacts. He should have the opportunity to fulfill deadlines set for producing works.

16. Work ethics- This refers back to the accepted work behavior and attitudes expected of a Graphic artist. These accepted working behaviors include neatness, cleanliness, accuracy, and precision that are the hallmark of a very good Graphic artist. The learner have to be determined to display these work ethics in his artistic productions.

17. Self-confidence- The learner have to be very confident when attending to his duties. He must not exhibit signs of fear. He should trust in his abilities, qualities or ideas. This would make it easier for him to achieve the mastery over his artistic creations.

18. Communication skills- The learner must know the right way to communicate well with people. Cultivating these communication skills would enable him to speak effectively with clients. People will definitely prefer to do business with individuals who speak politely than those whose manner of communicating pierces as if with a sword.