Graphic Arts Technicians

(NOC 5223)

in All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Graphic arts technicians help create project concepts, interpret design specifications or sketches, prepare the page make-up, lay-out and lettering, and prepare production materials for press, electronic or multimedia publishing. They work for publishing, communications, advertising, marketing, printing, and multimedia companies, and by television and film production companies. They may also be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

  • Estimate 840 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$31,008

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$21.00

Median

$40.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$945

Minimum

$11,712

Median

$60,447

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Graphic arts technicians help create project concepts, interpret design specifications or sketches, prepare the page make-up, lay-out and lettering, and prepare production materials for press, electronic or multimedia publishing. They work for publishing, communications, advertising, marketing, printing, and multimedia companies, and by television and film production companies. They may also be self-employed.

Job duties

Graphic arts technicians:

  • Review the graphic designer's instructions.
  • Produce or help develop and produce design concepts.
  • Capture elements like titles, text, drawings, illustrations, graphics, lettering, and colour harmonization, using a computer.
  • Produce computerized images and drawings.
  • Digitize images and transform them using retouching systems, graphic palettes, or specialized software.
  • Complete the layout, page make-up and placement using the conceptual mock-ups provided.
  • Produce proofs and camera-ready materials and prepare film and any other prepress materials.
  • Paint or ink individual cells of 2-D or 3-D animated drawings according to animator's specifications using an electronic palette.
  • Lay out, draw, or paint letters, figures, logos and designs for windows, advertisements, billboards, vehicles, books, and publications using specialized software or painting equipment.
  • Work in an interdisciplinary environment.

Sample job titles

  • airbrush artist
  • animation painter
  • cartoon background artist
  • graphics technician
  • lettering artist
  • multimedia graphic design technician
  • photograph retoucher
  • sign layout detailer
  • silkscreen technician
  • video game designer

Skills

  • A natural ability to draw and a good sense of creativity and imagination are beneficial. You should have an understanding of artistic principles and be able to visualize a finished piece of work from a sketch or brief description. Computer design and production skills are essential for the commercial jobs in this field. Self-discipline in meeting deadlines and a good business sense are also very important.

Job requirements

  • A college diploma in commercial or graphic arts, computer graphics or animated design is required.
  • Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.

Other considerations

  • Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required. Progression to graphic designer positions is possible with experience or supplementary training.

By the numbers

Quick look

95

employed in 2016

80.0%

employed full-time

10.0%

self employed

35.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
65%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
39.8

median age

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

11,000

employed in 2016

53.3%

employed full-time

29.3%

self employed

55.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
44.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
38.2

median age

Where will I likely work?

63.2%

Halifax

$31,727 median annual income
15.8%

North Shore

N/A
10.5%

Cape Breton

N/A
10.5%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

35.7%

Information and cultural industries

35.7%

Professional, scientific and technical services

14.3%

Retail trade

14.3%

Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

44.0%

25-34

38.0%

35-44

19.0%

45-54

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

29.7%

15-24

15.9%

35-44

15.7%

45-54

15.4%

25-34

14.9%

55-64

Top levels of education

63.2%

College Diploma

$26,783 median annual income
21.1%

High school

N/A
10.5%

Less than high school

N/A
10.5%

Trade Certification

N/A
10.5%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

26.4%

Bachelor

$17,829 median annual income
24.9%

High school

$7,552 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$22,120 median annual income
13.7%

Less than high school

$2,922 median annual income
7.9%

Master

$36,173 median annual income

Education & training

Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to use computer applications and related visual and sound imaging techniques to manipulate images and information originating as film, video, still photographs, digital copy, soundtracks, and physical objects in order to communicate messages simulating real-world content. They include courses in specialized camerawork and equipment operation and maintenance, image capture, computer programming, dubbing, CAD applications, and applications to specific commercial, industrial, and entertainment needs.

Institutions providing this program

Maritime Business College

Lower Sackville, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Design and Visual Communications

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the general principles and techniques for effectively communicating ideas and information, and packaging products, in digital and other formats to business and consumer audiences and that prepare students in any of the applied art media.

Institutions providing this program

NSCAD University

Halifax, NS

Game and Interactive Media Design

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the design, development, and programming of interactive media entertainment, including computer and video games, virtual environments, Internet applications, and other interactive media. They include courses in theory of games, turn-based games, real-time games, visual and interactive design, story development, animation, simulation, and programming.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Graphic Design

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to apply artistic and computer techniques to the interpretation of technical and commercial concepts. They include courses in computer-assisted art and design, printmaking, concepts sketching, technical drawing, colour theory, imaging, studio technique, still and life modelling, communication skills and commercial art business operations.

Institutions providing this program

Centre for Distance Education

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Society of Graphic Designers of Canada
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.