We use a program called Clipcentric to make rich media ads. It is not something we design in—we just add JPGs and code to it. Our traffic team has asked that we add click tags, click trackers, and macros to this program—all for the purpose of tracking users’ interactions with ads. I’m wondering how typical it is that a visual designer would be asked to add tracking codes. Do you use click tags, click trackers, and macros at your organization?And if so, whose responsibility is it to add these to the code?
There is no official designated “responsibility” of a profession or job within a profession. The closest thing you have to it is a job description when you are hired. But that can change. There is no 3rd party (other than labor unions) to enforce a job description. In other words, whatever an employer or client asks of you (as long as it’s not a crime) is your responsibility if you want to keep your job. The exception is contract work. If a responsibility is not spelled out in the contract, it depends on which party has the better lawyers in a lawsuit.
Having said that, graphic designers have already added too many unrelated responsibilities to the unofficial job description of the profession. This is partly due to inexperience from ambitious overzealous designers, and partly by necessity to compete with information technologists in a territory war over the internet.
DZ is right, graphic designers are expected to do almost everything even remotely associated with design.
If you read through various company job announcements you’ll find that graphic designers are supposed to also be videographers, motion graphics specialists. photographers, web designers, web developers, programmers, illustrators, writers, 3d animators, social media gurus and scapegoats, among other things.
We’re also expected to perform these tasks (that would normally require 30 years of specialized education) for less money and respect than we received 20 years ago when we were only expected to be graphic designers.
I don’t think any of us are doing today the same job that was in the job description when we were hired (if you’ve been working at the same company for more than 3 years.)