Mirela
As companies enter new markets, they require experts who can craft content that connects with diverse international audiences. Unlike traditional graphic designers, localization designers posses a mix of skills in visual design, cultural sensitivity, and language adaptation. If you’re interested in learning more about what these professionals do and the skills they bring to the table, keep reading.
Overview
- What a localization designer is
- What a localization designer does
- What tools localization designers use
- How to become a localization designer
What a localization designer is
A localization designer is a valuable member of the localization team. These specialists adapt visual content to suit different cultural and linguistic markets. The role involves ensuring that visual elements such as graphics, images, layouts, and overall design aesthetics are appropriate and effective for diverse audiences.
What a localization designer does
Typically, localization designers work on projects such as website and app localization, where they adapt the design and user interface to fit different cultural contexts and languages. They also localize marketing and advertising campaigns, which means creating culturally resonant versions of banners, posters, and social media graphics.
In e-commerce, they adapt the design of online stores to enhance the shopping experience for international customers, while in media and entertainment, they ensure visual content and promotional materials are suitable for diverse audiences. Localization designers may also work on educational content and corporate communication materials.
The work of a localization designer may involve conducting cultural research to understand visual preferences and sensitivities, adjusting images, icons, and color schemes to be culturally appropriate. Sometimes they may have to modify the typography to accommodate different languages and character sets.
What tools localization designers use
As you can imagine, localization designers rely heavily on graphic design software. Adobe Creative Suite (including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) is a staple for designing and adjusting graphics, images, and layouts. Sketch and Figma are also popular for UI/UX design.
Teamwork matters, which is why a localization designer will also use project management and collaboration tools like Trello, Asana, and Jira to manage tasks, timelines, and communication with team members. They may also use Slack and Microsoft Teams for real-time collaboration and coordination with translators, developers, and marketing teams.
To test the quality and functionality of their work, designers will use Quality Assurance tools. These tools help identify and fix issues related to text expansion, layout adjustments, and cultural appropriateness before final deployment.
How to become a localization designer
Many localization designers have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual arts, multimedia design, or a related field. However, what is fundamental is a mastery of graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and Figma, which as used for creating and modifying visual content.
Some companies may appreciate additional courses in international studies or linguistics. Learning multiple languages may also prove advantageous, same for specializing further through courses or certifications in localization and translation studies.
When applying for jobs, try to tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your localization skills, cultural knowledge, and design expertise. If you’re new to localization design, you can engage in freelance localization projects to build your portfolio and practical knowledge. Gaining practical experience should be your top priority.
Remember, the role of a localization designer is indispensable today. As globalization advances and cross-cultural communication becomes increasingly important, the expertise of localization designers will remain a vital asset in creating visually compelling and culturally relevant content.