Flash Designer Job Descriptions
Flash designers are responsible for creating interactive online content, including games, advertisements, dynamic website intros and rich internet applications using Adobe Flash. Flash designers are often required to have knowledge of other creative programs and Internet technologies and should be familiar with usability and interaction design principles. Most Flash designers have at least a college diploma in design, with a focus on web and multimedia production.
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Position Summary
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A job description should begin with a position summary outlining the designer's general responsibilities. Flash designers can create a variety of different kinds of content, and the position summary should start to delve into specifics. If the designer will be responsible for creating Flash-based e-learning courses, the most desirable skills for the job will differ than if the designer's main responsibility is designing banner advertisements. Position summaries often open with a statement that describes who manages the designer: "Reporting to the Creative Director, the Flash Designer will..."
Responsibilities
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While the first section offers a general idea of what the Flash designer will do, the "Responsibilities" section breaks down the main job role into a bulleted list of daily tasks. Although specific responsibilities will vary based on the kind of work the Flash designer is hired to do, Job-Q.com's Flash designer job description offers a few common points. A Flash designer receives direction from a department head, creative director or other managing professional; the designer works in a group or independently to create stories and concepts. Flash designers are also responsible for storyboarding and wireframing, researching media production tools and techniques to suggest improvements, preparing and monitoring project management documentation and maintaining a library of finished materials.
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Requirements
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The "Requirements" section describes the soft skills and technical knowledge that the designer needs to fulfill job duties. Technical knowledge required varies across organizations according to job responsibilities, but all Flash designers need to know Adobe Flash. Most companies want applicants to know the CS3 or CS4 version of the software. Flash designers often need to know other applications in the Adobe Creative Suite, usually Photoshop and Illustrator. Adobe Fireworks, a toned down version of Adobe Photoshop, is used in some companies for wireframing and prototyping. According to sessionscollege for Professional Design, some Flash designers are responsible for video and audio editing, and may need to use Adobe Soundbooth and Adobe Premiere Pro for daily tasks.
Many designers will be expected to know some ActionScript coding, and more code-heavy positions also require knowledge of Flex. For designers doing some web programming, companies want to see previous experience with JavaScript, XML, XHTML and SQL. Knowledge of Flash's integration with PHP and .NET is also beneficial.
Other important skills and qualities include communication, teamwork, professionalism and organization.
The Distinction: Flash Designer vs. Flash Developer
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Job seekers searching for a career in Flash design run into two different but related job titles: "Flash Designer" and "Flash Developer." Generally, Flash designers are more skilled in illustration and graphic design programs, while flash developers require more back-end coding and web development experience. However, this distinction isn't always absolute. Smaller companies often hire a single person for Flash design, web design, Flash development and web development. Job seekers should read position descriptions carefully, and recruiters should name positions as accurately as possible to get replies from the most qualified candidates.
Education and Experience
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The education expected depends on the responsibilities linked to the position. While more design-heavy jobs might require a college diploma in graphic design, more code-intensive Flash jobs might need a bachelor's degree in computer science. Candidates with a mix of education and experience that proves design savvy and technical knowledge are most likely to be successful. A college-graduated graphic designer with a few years working as a Web developer; a computer science graduate with past experience designing for the web; a graduate of an interaction design program with three years experience using Flash--all three have the technical base and design skills to succeed as Flash designers.
Most design studios want applicants to have 1-2 years experience working with Flash, along with a portfolio of professional work.
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References
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