Production Artist/Prepress Production Artist: A production artist is a technical job position in a creative profession. Although the position may be treated as low-skilled labor, the degree of technical knowledge required for some production art work may be comparable to higher skilled engineering, especially with computers.

When concepts and copy writing are complete, a job then moves in to it’s production phase. A production artist then builds your works in such a way that it can RIP (Raster Image Process) or print to a press with no trouble. Colors will separate properly to their respective plates. Layouts contain and are linked to all necessary elements in formats that are appropriate for the target presses. All pieces are built to the exact specifications (including dielines and bleed) provided by media companies. Typography, text formatting and consistency are all refined in the layout.

The production artist provides the critical elements of precision, quality control and craftsmanship to the graphic arts and printing process. Armed with a disciplined sense of efficient, organised workflow, a good production artist plays an essential role in professionally producing the best possible product in the advertising and design industries.

Graphic Designer: The term graphic design can refer to a number of artistic and professional disciplines which focus on visual communication and presentation. Various methods are used to create and combine symbols, images and/or words to create a visual representation of ideas and messages. A graphic designer may use typography, visual arts and page layout techniques to produce the final result. Graphic design often refers to both the process (designing) by which the communication is created and the products (designs) which are generated.

In publishing, the graphic designer deals with the structure and layout of images and text in a pleasing format for printed media. This can include magazine work, brochures, flyers, books, CD booklets, posters, and similar formats. For magazines and similar productions, color, typeface, text formatting, graphic layout and more must be considered. Is the chosen typeface good for long term reading, or will the eyes get tired? Does that title typeface fit the feel of the rest of the article? Are the photos arranged in such a way that is pleasing to the eye, and directs the reader in the right flow or direction? These are just some of the questions a graphic designer must ask themselves. Page layouts are usually done by art directors, graphic designers, production artists or a combination of those positions.

Art Director: In publishing, the art director typically works with the publications editors. Together they work on a concept for sections and pages of a publication. Individually, the art director is mostly responsible for the visual look and feel of the publication, and the editor has ultimate responsibility for the publications verbal and textual content.

Art directors make sure that illustrators and production artists produce and complete their work on time and to the creative director or client's satisfaction. Art directors also play a major role in the development of a project by making decisions on the visual elements of the project, and by giving the final say on the selection of models, art, props, colors, and other elements. Art directors need advanced training in graphic design as they often do artwork and designing themselves. However, an art director's time may be consumed doing supervisory and administrative work.