“Grafiker” vs “Grafik Tasarımcı”: Choosing the Right Design Professional

If you're researching the difference between a graphic artist and a graphic designer, you're probably trying to figure out who you should submit your work to. These two titles may overlap in daily use. Title alone does not indicate that a person practices alone, develops ideas, or has a certain level of education. Correct comparison; It is based on the responsibility it will undertake, experience in similar projects and the work it will deliver.

As Selçuk Aker, a graduate of Marmara University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, I use both “freelance grafiker” and “grafik tasarımcı” when describing my work in Turkish. What really matters to a client is how I address their needs and what usable files I put out, before which program I open.

Start by describing your need instead of a title

Saying "I'm looking for a graphic designer" starts the conversation, but it's not enough to prepare an offer. Do you want to adapt the existing design to different sizes or establish the visual direction of the brand from scratch? Two jobs can be done by the same person; However, the preparation, decision and approval steps are different.

For example, in adapting the approved campaign poster to three social media metrics, the existing visual language is preserved. When designing packaging for a new product family, how the products will be separated, where the brand area will stand, and in what order the information will be read must also be resolved. Explaining your needs with this distinction is more useful than comparing titles alone.

Application skill and design decision complement each other

Some teams distribute idea development and implementation to different people. This does not mean that everyone called a “grafiker” only executes existing ideas, or that everyone called a “grafik tasarımcı” works separately from production. Work sharing may vary from institution to institution and project to project.

Implementation also requires decision. When the product name extends by two lines in a catalogue, it is necessary to find a solution that preserves the page system instead of randomly reducing the text. Likewise, a strong visual idea must be prepared in accordance with the size and delivery conditions in which it will be used. Check both needs of the project rather than deeming one less important than the other.

What should you ask next to the finished image in the portfolio?

Liking a work is a good start. However, it is difficult to evaluate the candidate's suitability for your job without learning their role and decisions in that project. These questions make the conversation concrete:

• What was the brief and what problem did the design solve?
• Who developed the visual aspect, which parts were the candidate's responsibility?
• How was order maintained when the text became longer or the size changed?
• Where was the design used and which files were delivered?
• How did feedback from the customer affect the outcome?

If you are going to have a catalogue, examine not only the impressive covers but also the product tables and dense pages. Look for series adaptations for packaging, different screen states for the web interface. Guide to design decision and quality control deepens this evaluation.

Education, program knowledge, and expertise are not the same thing

Educational background helps you understand the foundation of designer. Program information shows the tools with which the work can be produced. In order to evaluate expertise in the relevant field, real work examples and process explanations are required.

Listing a large number of program names does not prove the same competence in every design field. Although long-release design, packaging and mobile interface have common visual principles, the production conditions are different. That's why it's important to ask for samples that are close to your own delivery. If you are curious about the use of professional terms, you can also review the graphic artist and graphic designer guide.

How should you compare offers when choosing a freelance graphic designer?

Two proposals may have the same title, but one may include only the main design, the other also adaptation and file preparation. Consider content preparation, number of deliverables, feedback pattern, and delivery format side by side before comparing the total amount.

For example, in a campaign set, the main visual, three social media adaptations and the printed poster are separate deliveries. If text writing or photography is required, these should also be stated. Discuss at the outset how the request for a completely new direction with the revision will be handled. Freelancing process details these steps.

In what context can you work with Selçuk Aker?

Within the scope of Freelance graphic design support, I evaluate brand identity, catalog, packaging, social media and digital interface needs according to your project. By speaking directly with the designer, you can clarify the main deliverable, adaptations and schedule.

In your first message, "designer or graphic designer?" You don't have to solve the question. Sharing where the work will be used, the content you have and the target date is a sufficient start. Describe your project; Let's determine the right scope together.