Daily Life of a Graphic Designer

Daily Life of a Video Editor

From advertising to instructional videos to creating a social media presence, almost every industry requires the expertise and skills of a Video Editor. Video Editors in any field share common tasks and responsibilities. Learning more about the day-to-day lives and workflow of Video Editors can help determine if this is your career path. Use the following article to imagine your life as a Video Editor and how you can make this exciting career your reality.

What is a Video Editor?

If you’re looking for a career that combines your artistic and organizational skills into a cohesive, creative experience, consider pursuing training as a Video Editor. Video Editors are responsible for compiling, editing, and producing different types of audio and visual content into a coherent and unique form of media. They frequently work with advertisers, filmmakers, directors, social media companies, and other visual media fields to create seamless and compelling narratives.

Video Editors use professional-grade applications such as Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro to transform raw footage shot onsite or at a soundstage into the modern movie masterpieces we see on our screens today. Editing includes smoothing the transitions between camera angles, removing background noises, and adding sound and visual effects. Video editors also transform ordinary greenscreens and tennis balls into fantastical landscapes and mythical figures.

Read more about the responsibilities of a Video Editor.

Video Editor Specializations

Within the field of video editing, there are several job titles that a Video Editor might specialize in, each requiring its own unique set of skills. A professional with video editing skills can turn raw footage into a cohesive, visually engaging project. A Video Editor is responsible for assembling the different elements of a video such as effects, music, sound, and dialogue, into a finished product. They need to have strong technical skills to manipulate video and audio files with precision. Video Editors must also be able to collaborate with other production team members to create a cohesive project.

Motion Graphics Designers specialize in creating animated graphics for videos. They must be highly skilled in using specialized software and have an eye for detail when creating visuals that capture the viewers' attention. Motion Graphics Designers must also understand how color, light, and sound can be used together to create the desired effects. These professionals bring a creative flair to the production process and are essential for creating videos that captivate the viewers. 3D Animators focus on creating realistic visuals common in video games or feature films. These professionals need to have advanced drawing and animation skills and an understanding of the principles of animation and storytelling. 3D Animators must be able to work independently to develop high-quality visuals that meet deadlines and client expectations.

There are also Graphic Designers who specialize in creating visuals for videos. These professionals must be highly skilled in typography, layout design, and color theory to create visually engaging graphics that meet the client's specifications. They use industry-standard software to create visuals that capture the viewers' attention, ensuring that the video project remains consistent from start to finish. No matter what job title Video Editors choose, their skills and creativity are essential for creating visually engaging videos that meet client expectations.

Read more about other job titles related to Video Editor.

Starting Your Day

Think about your ideal work environment. Are you at home or in an office? Are you working independently or with colleagues? Do you prefer to begin the day by listening to podcasts while commuting to the office or enjoying your first cup of coffee in your home office? One of the significant benefits of working in the video editing field is workspace flexibility. Today, many video editing jobs are fully remote or hybrid, while others occur in a film studio or collective workspace. As a Video Editor, you can pursue jobs that will allow you to work in environments where you can flourish.

9 AM

While each person's workflow may differ, most Video Editors begin their day with a thorough project review. This includes a review of the client's expectations for the finished product and any project notes provided by supervisors or colleagues. Depending on the project, this may include extensive research into industry trends, style guides, and software updates to ensure they use the most up-to-date programs and techniques when producing content. Organizing and planning for the day is the best way for a Video Editor to stay on track and focus when working.

11 AM

The rest of a Video Editor's morning is spent gathering the different elements of the video such as b-roll, sound effects, and music. This task involves combing through existing libraries for materials that fit the desired style or finding clips online for purchase. Depending on the project, a Video Editor may need to contact outside professionals for additional resources. After gathering all the required material, they create a timeline on their computer and import the elements into a timeline-based editing program.

2 PM

In addition to editing film or video footage, Video Editors may also be working on a variety of other projects. These include promotional videos, social media content, podcasts, corporate training videos, and even news or documentary footage. The type of project a Video Editor works on can greatly affect their day-to-day activities. For instance, while working on a documentary, editors might spend considerable time in the research phase, while editing a promotional video may require close collaboration with marketing teams.

5 PM

As the workday draws to a close, the Video Editor will likely spend their final hours reviewing the day's work. This may involve checking the alignment of visuals and sound, ensuring a seamless transition between scenes, and fine-tuning any graphics or special effects. At this stage, they will also share their progress with clients or team members for feedback.

To ensure a smooth start the next morning, Video Editors should document their progress, note any issues that arose during the day, and outline the tasks for the next day. This includes any pending edits, renders that need to be processed, or feedback that needs to be addressed. A clear plan for the next day helps Video Editors hit the ground running, maximizing productivity and ensuring the project remains on track.

After Work

After work hours, many Video Editors dedicate time to professional development to enhance their technical and creative skills. They might engage in activities such as learning new editing software, studying the works of accomplished editors, or attending webinars and workshops on the latest industry trends and technologies. Some may even participate in online communities or forums to share ideas and learn from their peers.

Circumstances that might lead a Video Editor to put in overtime vary. Tight deadlines, especially when working on large or multiple projects simultaneously, often require extra hours. Furthermore, last-minute revisions or client requests might prompt Video Editors to work beyond their regular schedule. In the movie industry, it's common for Video Editors to work long hours, including weekends, particularly in the final stages of post-production. Despite demanding hours, the satisfaction of seeing the final product makes these additional hours worthwhile for many professionals in this field.

The Production Process

The basic job of a Video Editor is to make videos and editing takes up most of the day. The video production process has three parts: pre-production, production, and post-production. Editing is primarily done in the post-production phase, but if you are both shooting the footage and editing it, you may plan your shots with the final cut in mind. The pre-production phase is all about planning. It is helpful to create a storyboard, a series of graphics that approximate the most important shots and tell the story the video is presenting. If there is no storyboard, there should at least be a shot list to make sure that all of the footage that will be needed is taken.

The production phase is the part of the process where the footage is shot. It is important during this phase to record plenty of footage. Take multiple shots to be sure to have the best footage to work with during editing. Shooting a number of different angles such as close-ups and wide angles, gives the editor options in post-production. Also, make sure to get some environmental footage to use for B-roll. Another important part of the production phase is organization. Labeling and organizing footage makes post-production much easier. Making multiple copies of files is a good idea, too, and be sure to keep a copy in a separate physical location to reduce the chances of losing the raw footage.

Post-production is where the editing takes place. The Editor uses the raw footage to tell the best story. By employing techniques like cutting, changing chronology, transitions, speed changes, and special effects, video editing techniques take a collection of different shots and weave them into a narrative that captures and holds the attention of an audience.

Staying Motivated

Video editing involves long hours in front of computer screens choosing the right clips, putting them together, and working with audio, color, and special effects software to create the video your company or client wants. It takes inner motivation to keep at the task for hours at a time, and different Editors handle the time differently. Some prefer to start in the morning, work until lunch, then start again and work until quitting time. Others prefer to break their day up into smaller pieces with a few hours of editing interspersed with answering emails, conferring with colleagues, or attending meetings.

However the Editor feels most comfortable working, it is important to stay on schedule and meet deadlines. It also helps to be organized. If you keep your files labeled consistently and put project files where you can easily access them, you will be able to work more efficiently and meet those deadlines.

Editing Can Be Repetitive

Editing work can get repetitive, especially when you work on similar projects most of the time. For example, if you work for a broadcast sports program, you will edit game footage, interviews, and commentaries most of the time, and can go through 200-300 clips an hour. It is important to figure some breaks into your schedule to get up and move around for both your physical and mental health.

Another way of dealing with a repetitive task like video editing is to focus on the creative aspects of the job. Many Video Editors enjoy seeing the story take shape according to a plan, and storytelling is just as important to video editing as knowing how to use the software. Some Editors zone in and go at it until the job is finished, while others also shoot video, so that can help break up the day.

Take a Break

Working for hours at a computer can make you tired and sore. It is important to move in your chair every 30 minutes or so and get up and walk around every couple of hours. Video Editors sit for much of the day, so some add some lunges and stretches to their daily office routine. Others find a standing desk to be helpful in avoiding back and neck pain that comes with long periods of sitting.

A brief change of scene can be refreshing and many Video Editors find going for a walk to the kitchen or restroom is enough of a break. Others intersperse different tasks like answering email or setting up future projects with editing to break up the day.

Regular Employment Vs. Freelancing

There are some full-time, permanent jobs for Video Editors, but many work freelance. Some Editors appreciate the steady income and not having to look for work constantly. Others prefer working as freelancers because they can do different types of projects and often work from home.

Freelancing involves putting together a portfolio of work to show to prospective clients, and advertising on platforms like Craigslist, Angie, UpWork, or Thumbtack. Freelancers need to spend time advertising and networking, but they also have more freedom over how they structure their time. Some prefer to work during the day, while others work at night. Many Video Editors appreciate the opportunity to work when they feel most productive.

Learn the Skills to Become a Video Editor at Noble Desktop

Are you excited to begin your Video Editor career but unsure where to start? Don’t stress! Noble Desktop is here to help! Noble Desktop offers many resources relevant to video editors at each leg of their professional journey. Professionals looking for a roadmap to entering or building their careers can explore training opportunities and career paths through Noble Desktop’s Learn Video Editing Page. Editors looking for a comprehensive overview of educational and practical training opportunities offered live online and in-person should check out Noble Desktop’s Video Editing Topic Page. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the video editing profession and relevant editing applications that professionals regularly use.

Video Editors use various professional-grade applications to design and create their projects. But how do you determine which programs to add to your toolkit? Noble Desktop provides a comprehensive archive of learning resources that detail the functionality, level of difficulty, and cost of learning different applications. Foundationally, most professionals are well-versed in video editing software such as Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. If you are already established in the field and looking to gain a competitive edge in the job market, consider learning more about motion graphics software like After Effects.

As you explore these sophisticated visual graphics programs, you will likely recognize that learning these intricate programs on your own can be a lonely and complicated process. Luckily, Noble Desktop offers live online and in-person courses for video editors at all stages of their careers. For example, professionals ready to dive into the video editing field may want to enroll in a Premiere Pro Bootcamp or After Effects in a Day course. These fast-paced classes are an excellent way to rapidly build your video editing skills with the guidance of an experienced instructor. Video Editors looking to diversify their portfolios and demonstrate their skills to potential employers can pursue a Video Editing Certificate or a Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate. Students gain robust hands-on experience through small class sizes and project-based learning opportunities. Noble Desktop even offers a free retake option so students can refresh their skills and maximize their retention within a year of their class.

Discover what it takes to build a career as a Graphic Designer. Learn about the daily tasks, specializations, and the important skills you need to excel in this creative field.

Key Insights:

• Graphic Designers work with digital design tools to create designs, illustrations, and work on large-scale projects to meet clients' specifications.
• A Graphic Designer is a creative professional who uses text and imagery to share a message with an audience through various mediums such as advertising, social media, or product packaging.
• Graphic Designers may specialize in areas such as brand identity, package design, digital design, and layout and print design.
• Managing daily workflow efficiently and being able to respond quickly to feedback are important skills for Graphic Designers.
• Graphic Designers often need to work overtime to meet project deadlines, especially when unexpected changes or issues arise.
• Noble Desktop offers graphic design classes and certificates for those looking to start a career in graphic design, providing foundational skills in popular design programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Graphic Designers are responsible for creating designs and illustrations using digital design tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator. They will work closely with teams of designers to ensure large-scale design projects are completed on time and meet clients' specifications and desires. Their daily tasks will be largely dependent on what stage of the design process they are working on at any given moment. Early in the process, they may spend most of their time meeting with project managers, brainstorming design ideas, or mapping out large projects to ensure that workflow is being optimized. Later on in the process, designers will spend more time working on individual aspects of the project, collaborating with other team members, and ensuring that the finished product is polished and ready to be presented. At the end of the process, designers will respond to client feedback and iterate on the design to make sure that they are delivering the exact product that their clients intended.

What is a Graphic Designer?

A Graphic Designer is a creative professional who combines text and visually appealing imagery to share a message with an audience. This could be through advertising, social media, or product packaging, to name a few. They are well-versed in design principles like color and typography and are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest trends. Whether they work for an agency or freelancer, they collaborate with clients and other team members to create high-quality designs that appeal to new and existing customers.

In addition to proficiency in professional design programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, a successful Graphic Designer must also work well with others. Graphic Designers rarely work alone, and since their job is to create a product that matches a client's vision, they must be willing to accept feedback and suggestions from others. Time management skills are also crucial for a Graphic Designer; since most of them work freelance, they often work on multiple projects for many clients simultaneously.

Read more about what a Graphic Designer does.

Graphic Designer Specializations

Because graphic design is such a varied career path, many professionals choose to specialize in one or two types of graphic design before branching out to others. One popular choice is brand identity, which relates to creating logos and other easily recognizable images that customers can quickly associate with a brand, whether the image is on a billboard or a business card. Package design is another specialization within graphic design. People in this role are responsible for creating visually appealing and informative packaging since most packages need to provide instructions on how to use the product inside.

Digital design focuses on creating the interface and other graphics for web and mobile applications. Coding skills may be necessary if you choose this route, but you can browse specific job listings to learn more about the required skills. Layout and print design are all about balancing images and text when creating layouts for things like brochures, magazines, and newspapers. These professionals are particularly skilled in typography and composition and usually use Adobe InDesign to achieve their designs.

Read more about other job titles related to Graphic Designer.

Graphic Designer Daily Functions and Responsibilities

Due to the graphic design industry having such a wide range of specialties and functions, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact daily routine and responsibilities of someone working in the field. The day-to-day role can also depend on whether the Designer works as a freelancer or is employed by a company and works with a team of other design professionals.

Some of the most common daily functions and responsibilities of a Graphic Designer include:

• Meets with clients or team members to discuss project goals
• Communicate with team members and collaborate on creative ideas
• Develop content such as graphics, web pages, logos, advertisements, or brochures
• Craft content using industry-standard software such as the apps found in Adobe Creative Cloud
• Make revisions and edits as requested
• Ensure final product meets all goals and is ready for publishing

Work Environment and Schedule

A Graphic Designer’s daily work environment and schedule are challenging to pinpoint, as each professional is employed differently and works on different types of projects. For freelance graphic designers, much of the work environment and daily schedule will depend on their specific work style and current project load. One main challenge freelance designers face is developing time management skills so they can stay motivated and meet important deadlines. Freelancers are responsible for being proactive and responsible for their own schedule and environment, which does not work for every Designer. Many freelancers use sites like Upwork to gain experience and build their portfolios before looking for full-time employment.

Some designers prefer to secure traditional employment with a company or organization. It’s common for these graphic designers to work onsite and complete projects with a team of other professionals. These employees are subject to specific company practices and schedules, which is why it’s difficult to pinpoint specifics. Many designers who work in an office follow standard business hours, while freelancers may work at odd hours of the day or night.

Starting Your Day

Most graphic designers will work in one of two places. Either they will work in a design studio alongside other designers, or they will work from home. In either case, most of a Designer's time will be spent either in brainstorming meetings with clients, project managers, or other designers or will be spent in front of a computer working on digitally-aided designs. The amount of time spent working with other designers and project managers is largely contingent on whether a Designer works for a large firm or is self-employed.

9 AM

For most Graphic Designers, the start of the day will focus on catching up on developments that may have caused projects to shift since the last time they were picked up. Whether this involves checking emails from clients and project managers, participating in regular Zoom meetings, or simply checking relevant Slack channels, designers will get into a groove that helps them navigate a rapidly changing project workload. If they are at the beginning of a project, they may receive specs or even brand-new assignments. At the end of a project, they may start their day by checking if there is any significant feedback or last-minute revisions they need to prioritize during the day. In many cases, Graphic Designers will be expected to be willing and able to change their designs at a moment’s notice, so they are likely to be checking their workload for changes daily.

11 AM

Since Graphic Designers are most likely to be employed by design firms or as self-employed individuals, they are likely to be working on various projects. Designers working at firms are likely to be working on a single project at a time, though they may be tasked with working on multiple aspects of that project. Self-employed designers are more likely to take on many individual commissions at once, so they may juggle a few different projects simultaneously.

Designers tend to work on large projects fairly regularly, including everything from designing company logos to entire advertising spreads in newspapers or magazines. This is especially true for self-employed designers who will have less of an established footprint and need to accept a more diverse range of jobs to stay financially solvent. Freelance designers will eventually learn how to manage their job requirements and work at the pace that best suits their needs, though they are far more likely to juggle multiple projects at once and work outside of regular work hours.

Almost all designers will need to maintain constant contact with their team leaders (if they have one) and their clients to ensure that the work aligns with the overall design goals of their assignments or commissions. This may be in-person, or it may be through digital telecommunications channels. In some cases, this may be done through a series of email exchanges.

2 PM

Graphic Designers will receive regular feedback on their work because it is important that they are meeting the specifications of the project that they have been assigned. This will usually take the form of annotations on their work, though in some cases, they may meet with team leaders and clients in-person to discuss a given project. Graphic designers will need to be able to quickly and effectively respond to this feedback as a part of their job description, especially for freelance workers who are hoping to build positive relationships with potential clients.

Graphic designers will manage their daily workflow by moving through different assignments and finding the work cycle that works best for them. This will be dependent on the number of different assignments that a Designer has to complete at any given time, but overtime, designers will become more and more accustomed to the nature of their workload.

5 PM

The process of wrapping up your workday as a Graphic Designer will depend on where in the process you are and what kind of assignments you are working on. For many graphic designers, at the end of the workday, you’ll send off your work to your Project Manager or editors for evaluation and approval so that you can come to work the next day ready to move on and receive feedback or requests for alterations. Near the end of the project, you may also bring a client into the loop.

For self-employed designers, there won’t be a team of managers and colleagues to share work with, so they won’t engage with anyone else until they are ready to send a design to a client for approval. This also means that self-employed Graphic Designers have greater freedom to decide what constitutes the end of their workday, since they aren’t likely to be providing as many daily updates as their counterparts working at large firms.

Graphic Designers, whether self-employed or otherwise, may need to do significant crunch work as deadlines approach. If a project has not been going smoothly or there have been meaningful last-minute changes to a commission, designers may be forced to work overtime to meet deadlines. This is something that is likely to be obvious early on in the process, but it is an issue worth considering when contemplating what your daily life will look like as a Graphic Designer.

After Work

Graphic Designers will need to work overtime if snags in the early stages of a design project cause a backup of work that needs to be resolved before a deadline. Sometimes, a difficult client will ask for changes, and sometimes an issue with one team will cascade into problems wrapping up the design process. This is likely to only cause issues near the end of a project, and one of the minor silver linings is that it rarely comes out of left field. Teams of designers know that they are behind well before they reach crunch time, so they know that more intense work will need to be done.

For freelance designers, there isn’t a set schedule to follow, so there isn’t a clear post-work time period. If you feel the most comfortable working late at night, then there is very little to stop you from doing this, assuming you meet clients’ deadlines and can keep in consistent communication with them. However, self-employed Graphic Designers are far more likely to end up in a position where they need to work overtime, either by falling behind in their own work or underestimating how tight a deadline is.

Average Salary and Career Outlook

Starting a career in graphic design can provide lucrative options for salary and career outlook over time, as the industry is expected to grow in the coming years. The BLS estimates the graphic design industry will grow 3% through 2030, which will result in around 20,000 new job openings each year. Most of these openings are expected to fall within the areas of design services, marketing, advertising, and the public relations industries. The average salary of a graphic design professional falls around $55,000 per year, though this can increase with experience, additional training, and a strong portfolio.

Is a College Degree Necessary?

It’s a common misconception that a college degree is required to start a graphic design career or secure full-time employment. It is unnecessary to obtain a college degree just to start a career in graphic design, as there are countless other options for training and learning the fundamental skills needed to work in the industry.

In addition to traditional four-year degrees, there are graphic design certificate courses for those who want to learn more about the industry without such a long time commitment. Certificate or workshop-style courses tend to be more affordable than college degrees but still provide the same immersive training and hands-on experience. It’s not to say that a bachelor’s degree won’t help with the job search, but it is not a requirement to start working as a freelancer or professional Designer for a company. It’s also common for those with minimal experience to secure an internship that provides valuable training and networking within the design community.

Graphic designers are vital to the visual arts industry, as they combine images, text, and motion graphics in their final products. They carry various duties and responsibilities in their career roles and must utilize industry software during the creative development process. If this type of career sounds intriguing and you want to learn more,  graphic design classes are available that cover fundamental skills.

Learn the Skills to Become a Graphic Designer at Noble Desktop

If you want to start a career in graphic design, the graphic design classes offered by Noble Desktop are an excellent place to start. Students can take all their classes remotely or in-person at their Manhattan campus. For students who want to start slow by just learning one popular design program, Noble offers an Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp, an Adobe InDesign Bootcamp, and an Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp. These beginner-friendly courses take just a few days to complete and will provide students with foundational design skills.

For those who feel ready to dive into a more comprehensive program, Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate might be a better fit. Students will complete hands-on assignments using popular design programs, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. This program is ideal for those hoping to start a career as a Graphic Designer. Certificate students at Noble Desktop receive individual career mentorship, where experts in the design industry help craft resumes and portfolios and provide helpful tips for finding lucrative employment.

If a class isn’t feasible for your current schedule, Noble Desktop has a host of resources on its website to help start your graphic design career. You can browse their collection of articles about Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign if you’re curious about how each program works. You can also review information about other design tools to see if another field might interest you more.