A career in graphic design offers a wide spectrum of choices, especially in an ever-growing technological world. No matter which path you choose, creativity, design sense, attention to detail, problem solving, and knowledge of the most current software are all prerequisite skills. In addition, a degree or training from a college or graphic design school is a must with many employers.
Most graphic designers find jobs with advertising, publishing, public relations, or specialized design firms, and many are self-employed. While there is a range of design-related specialties to consider, here are some popular choices:
Art or Creative Director: Leads a creative team that produces artwork for a variety of media.
Illustrator: Conceptualizes and creates images.
Brand Identity or Logo Designer: Designs visual representations of organizations, products, or services.
Layout Artist: Structures text and images for print media.
Photo-Editing Artist: Uses Photoshop and other software to present photography through a variety of media.
Prepress Technician: Coordinates the process of preparing materials for printing.
Web Designer: Creates graphics and layout for web pages and contributes to web development.
Multimedia Designer: Works with television, film, animation, set design, audio, and other production areas.
Photographer: Captures images through creative vision and technical use of equipment.
What is the employment outlook for graphic designers who are thinking of launching a career? It’s on par with projected growth across all occupations: about 13 percent through 2020.
About the Author:
Shane Dobes is a graphic design professional and founder of his own firm, Agency A3. He has over 12 years of experience in a broad range of design areas, including television video production, print media, online and web media, photography, and videography.
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