Graphic Design Vs Video Game Design

Hi everybody,

I teach in a French-speaking Belgian school specialized in 'infographie' which is the field covering "web designer - video game developer/designer/... - pre-press specialist - 3D artist"

We are always confused about how to call our speciality and what to write on our CVs.

According to dictionaries, 'graphiCS design' is 'graphic design' using computers.
What are you, lads and guys, using in UK and US (sorry for our Canadian, Irish, Australian, and.... friends, your answers are most welcome).

The expression CG artist also exists. Is it more US?

In French we have the difference between a 'graphiste' who is a traditional 'graphic designer' and 'INFOgraphiste' who uses a computer to make his 'graphic' work ('info' comes from 'informatique' which 'IT' in English).
But of course many 'graphistes' have become 'infographistes', using computers in their work, but keeping their original job description.

Is this clear? Have you got a generic name for this speciality? CG artist? Graphic(s) designer?
Do you make a difference?

My students and I would really appreciate to know what is really used in ALL English-speaking countries.
I have found 'infography' on the net, but only on sites run by French speakers, ....

Many, many thanks to you all.

Jean Paul
EFL teacher in Namur, Belgium, Europe

cuchuflete

Hello Jean Paul,

The generic term in AE is graphic design, hence graphic designer. Those who specialize in web site design pretty much call themselves what they please:

graphic designer
web designer
website designer

You might google these terms to get an idea of frequency:

3,250,000 for web " graphic designer "

9,810,000 for " web designer (many of these are for software packages) 2,130,000 for " website designer

GenJen54

Cuchu has you on the right track as far as "graphic designer" is concerned.

In the field in which I work, a "graphic designer" (singular) is an individual who designs, usually via a computer, graphic and visual images for use in advertising - usually print. Graphic design is anything from basic visual layout, to photo manipulation, font development, any skill that is used to design graphic art for commercial purposes.

Before computers, graphic designers worked primarily via illustrations and hand-drawings.

Web designers specifically work on the visual aspects of "designing" websites and their content, while web developers work on the "back end" interface and programming.

CG artists are those who are more concerned with "animation" design, usually for gaming.

You still might wait for more opinions.

panjandrum

Lapsed Moderator

English-Ireland (top end)

Here is another opinion.
Graphic design is the generic description covering all media. I would expect a graphic designer to use IT tools, of course.
Graphics design sounds to me like a narrower description relating specifically to work on computer graphics.

Please note that this is only an opinion, based on observation, not a researched conclusion.

Graphic Design. An applied art that visually communicates an idea or concept in electronic or print formats. Also called Graphics Design and Graphic Arts.