What exactly does a graphic designer do?

Answer 1

Everything!

Graphic Design is a form of visual communication. It is a process by which visual information is given form and structure, so as to communicate a message. This is often done through the arrangement of typography and graphic elements and can take many forms, from printed documents to 3D design. A graphic designer can incorporate the use of photography, illustration, iconography, and branding, but is not limited to these devices.

Graphic design is expressed in numerous devices and media, the most common being:

Print – magazines, newspapers, posters, periodicals, business collateral materials, print advertisements
Interactive design – web sites and software user interfaces
Film, videos, CDs, DVDs - title design, motion graphics, promotional materials
Identity systems, environmental graphic design including signage, wayfinding, and retail environments
Products, packaging, point-of-purchase displays

wikipedia.com

Answer 2

A Graphic designer is one who makes a perception of a layout of an design of anything be it an advertisement, a web site, a corporate communication, or any other print or electronic distribution publication. Graphic designers are also used a visualizers in the movie industry.

Answer 3

A graphics designer can do anything related to graphics (I generally tend to imagine computer graphics, such as for a website or a video game) ;)

Answer 4

They work with layout and images that go in print and web media. They are graphic artists, which means they know how to draw and paint. They also use software that creates formatting and layouts like pagemaker and photoshop.