National Occupation Code (NOC): 5223

Graphic arts technicians assist in conceptualizing a project, interpreting design specifications or sketches, preparing the page make-up, lay-out and lettering, and preparing production materials for press, electronic or multimedia publishing. They are employed by publishing, communications, advertising, marketing, printing and multimedia establishments, and by television and film production companies. They may also be self-employed.

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Job Duties for Graphic arts technicians

• Review the graphic designer's instructions
• Produce or assist in developing and producing design concepts
• Capture elements such as titles, text, drawings, illustrations, graphics, lettering and colour harmonization, using a computer
• Produce computerized images and drawings
• Digitize images using peripherals and transform them using retouching systems, graphic palettes or specialized software
• Perform 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.

Working Conditions for Graphic arts technicians

Work is performed in an office or from home, sitting for extended periods of time. Eye strain, back pain, and wrist injury may result from not taking ample breaks from duties.

Alternate Job Titles

• Airbrush Artist
• Animated Cartoon Inker
• Animated Cartoon Painter
• Animated Cartoon Technician
• Animated Cartoons Inker And Painter
• Animation Camera Operator
• Animation Inker
• Animation Painter
• Apprentice Sign Painter
• Art Work Assembler
• Cartoon Background Artist
• Compositor - Animation
• Compositor - Film
• Computer Graphics Design Technician
• Computer Graphics Operator
• Computer Graphics Technician
• Design Assistant - Advertising Production
• Digital Graphic Design Technician
• Graphic Arts Assembler
• Graphic Arts Copy Stylist
• Graphic Arts Renderer
• Graphic Arts Technician
• Graphics Technician
• Hand Painter - Graphic Arts
• Lettering Artist
• Mannequin Artist
• Multimedia Graphic Design Technician
• Multimedia Graphics Technician
• Paste-up Artist
• Photo Process Letterer - Graphic Arts
• Photo Stencil Maker
• Photograph Retoucher
• Photographic Airbrush Artist
• Photographic Colourist
• Photography Colourist
• Poster Layout Designer
• Poster Painter
• Rendering Specialist
• Screen Stencil Cutter - Graphic Arts
• Sign Layout Detailer
• Sign Painter
• Sign Writer
• Silkscreen Stencil Cutter
• Silkscreen Technician
• Stencil Marker
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• VFX Artist
• Video Game Artist
• Video Game Designer
• Vinyl Lettering Artist
• Visual Effects Artist
• Animated Cartoon Technician
• Animation Painter
• Computer Graphics Technician
• Graphics Technician
• Multimedia Graphic Design Technician
• Animation Camera Operator
• Poster Painter