16 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 1 Professional Communication Touch Touch is another form of nonverbal communication that sends strong messages. Haptics communication refers to nonverbal communication that occurs through touch. A firm handshake, along with eye contact and a smile, sends an important message when you are introduced to someone new. These gestures convey openness and confidence. Open and confident body language in professional situations helps you create an impression of someone who is competent and trustworthy. In the workplace, a handshake is about the only form of touch that is acceptable. Any other form of physical contact must be within the boundaries of correctness. These boundaries vary, depending on the nature of the business and the culture. For example, a dentist must touch your face in order to complete an examination. However, if you work in an office and somebody touched your face, you would be offended, if not very upset. In general, do not engage in any physical contact other than what is required of your work. Personal Space Personal space is the physical space between two individuals. It is another aspect of nonverbal communication. How close to someone do you stand or sit? The personal-space boundary becomes apparent when someone gets too close. Be aware that cultural background may be a factor in defining the personal-space boundary. Americans tend to keep a slightly greater distance between themselves and others than do people from certain cultures. Consider this when interacting with people in diverse settings. Exploring Communication Careers Graphic Designer Print and online advertising rely to some extent on graphic images to catch the eye of potential customers. The job of a graphic designer is to create illustrative elements that present goods or services in an appealing manner ma for packaging, logos, brochures, and other items that represent the business. Typical job titles for this visual arts position po si ti on also a include graphic artist, creative director, r r design director, and r r desktop publisher.r r Some examples of tasks k that t ha t graphic g ra ph designers perform include: • Consult with th the t he client c li en to determine design. • Create designs and layouts for product d c t packaging pa ck ag g and company logos. • Use graphic design software to generate layouts. • Design the arrangement of illustrations and text. • Prepare final layouts for printing or production. Graphic designers need a solid knowledge of layout principles and design concepts, as well as artistic ability. They must also be familiar with design, illustration, photo editing, and layout software. Many graphic design jobs require a bachelor degree, but talented and experienced designers may be hired without a four-year degree.