Graphic designing - career profile
Do you have an interest in art, computers and problem solving? If so, graphic design might be the career path for you. Graphic design basically aims to create something that is pleasing to the eye, and gets the attention of the viewer.
What is a Graphic Designer?
Graphic designers plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communication problems. They use a variety of print, electronic, and film media and technologies to execute a design that meet clients communication needs. They consider cognitive, cultural, physical, and social factors in planning and executing designs appropriate for a given context. Graphic designers use computer software to develop the overall layout and production design of magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications. They also produce promotional displays and marketing brochures for products and services, design distinctive logos for products and businesses, and develop signs and signage systems for business and government. An increasing number of graphic designers are developing material for Internet Web pages, computer interfaces, and multimedia projects. Graphic designers also produce the credits that appear before and after television programs and movies.
What can you expect from an employer? Some will have a very specific and narrow job description, and some will want you to do a whole load of stuff. Often an in-house graphic designer will be the jack-of-all-trades. You might expect to create the website, brochures, a poster for an upcoming event, and prepare PowerPoint presentations. And then there is the other end of the spectrum where your entry-level job for the first 2 years is scanning photos for Auto Trader Magazine, and placing them into the layout. It all depends on who is hiring, and what they want.
Specialized Occupations
The scope of the graphic designer is far from narrow. A graphic designer can cover many different spectrums and be very job specific. Although there are many related occupations to the graphic designer, 3 of them are dominant in the field.
Layout Artist covers a large range of work, but generally deals with the structuring and laying out of images and text in a pleasing format for printed media.
Multimedia Designer covers any range of media, but usually includes the combining of images, animation, audio, video, or some combination of these elements.
Illustrator creates artwork that is used to visually represent information in things like articles, technical manuals, textbooks and more.
Earnings
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2003-2004, median annual earnings for graphic designers were $36,680 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $28,140 and $48,820. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $64,160. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of graphic designers were as follows:
|
| Advertising and related services | $39,510 |
| Specialized design services | 38, 710 |
| Printing and related support activities | 31,800 |
| Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers | 31,670 |
Outlook
Graphic design, like many creative fields, is intensely competitive. While the outlook for the field is bright considering the increasing demand for graphics, particularly those destined for online uses, it is a field that continues to attract many talented individuals. When considering a career in graphic design it is important to remember how competitive the field is.
No formal degree is required to become a graphic designer, although many entry-level positions require a bachelors degree. Nonetheless, a focused graphic design degree can be enormously beneficial, improving your skills and helping you to develop a strong portfolio, which is generally the most essential part of finding work in the field.
Posted on November 30, 2004 at 10:48 PM
