Becoming a Graphic Designer
Modern graphic design spans the gap between art and technology. Graphic designers, also referred to as graphic artists, create and arrange visual images in order to communicate a message, often of a commercial product. Graphic artists use a variety of tools and visual elements such as color, type fonts, illustration, photography, animation, and layout techniques to create the "personality" of a product or a company. They can work in and with a variety of media, including print, film and video, and electronic media such as the web.
Education, Training & Degrees for Graphic Designers
A bachelor's degree in fine arts is usually the minimum requirement for an entry-level graphic design position. Fine arts bachelor's degrees are offered at many colleges, universities, and private design schools. The curriculum usually includes courses in studio art, principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and website design, among other topics. Liberal arts courses can also prove useful in helping designers understand the history and psychology behind the content of their work, in order to enhance the effectiveness of its message.
Associate degrees and certificates in graphic design are also available from numerous schools. These programs usually focus on the basic and essential technical aspects of graphic design. Graduates of two-year programs normally qualify as assistants to graphic designers or for positions requiring only technical skills.
In the past, graphic design was associated primarily with illustration tools such as pens and drafting tables, but the graphic designers of today and tomorrow need to be fully versed in the use of computers and computer graphics and design software. Because of the pervasive use of computers in the creation of graphic art, a degree in some aspect of computer studies, particularly computer graphics, can prove a useful pathway into a career as a graphic artist.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design recognizes about 250 postsecondary institutions with programs in art and design, most of which award a degree in graphic design.
Job Responsibilities and Desired Skills in Graphic Design
As the very name suggests, graphic designers prepare the overall layout and production design of various media. This can include print media such as magazines, newspapers, journals, reports, and other publications, as well as printed material such as advertising, promotional displays, signs, letterheads and other forms of corporate identity creation, posters, packaging, and marketing brochures for products and services. An increasing number of graphic designers develop material for web pages, interactive media, and multimedia projects.
The primary goal of the graphic designer or graphic artist is to create a unique and visually appealing layout that works in the service of the specific message the organization wishes to impart. The graphic artist's effort to achieve this goal involves several activities, including preparing sketches or layouts to illustrate a vision for the design; selecting the colors, sound, artwork, photography, animation, style of type, and other visual elements to be included in the design; and deciding upon the arrangement of the various text and image elements on the page or screen. Graphic artists often work under the direction of an art director, especially in larger organizations.
Graphic designers who are involved in creating web pages or other interactive media often use design software to explore and create a number of design alternatives from which a client can choose, thereby increasing the range of choice while keeping design costs to a minimum.
Just as technology can be defined as applied science, graphic design can be considered applied art, or art elements arranged for a specific purpose. Because of this, the graphic artist or graphic designer must have one foot in the world of art and the other placed firmly in the world of business, communication and computers. Creativity is a necessity, as are highly developed visualization skills and an eye for eye-pleasing and harmonious layouts. Technical expertise in graphic design software is also required, as are excellent communications skills, as the graphic artist will often be dealing with clients and supervisory personnel, and should be able to verbally defend design decisions while remaining open to client suggestions. In this respect, other character traits which can prove invaluable to the graphic artist include flexibility, patience and diplomacy.
Graphic Designer Salary Range and Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 228,000 people were employed as graphic designers in 2004. Approximately 70 percent were salaried employees, while nearly one-third worked freelance. Graphic designer positions are projected to grow slightly faster than the average for all jobs into the next decade. However, since no rapid expansion is anticipated, competition for jobs in this field is expected to be keen, as many talented individuals are attracted to this lucrative career. Individuals with a bachelor's degree and knowledge of computer design software, particularly those with website design and animation experience, will have the best opportunities for employment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for a graphic designer in 2004 was about $38,000. This figure is expected to rise by about 10 to 20 percent during the next few years, however, depending on the qualifications and relevant job experience of the graphic artist. Since nearly one-third of graphic designers are freelancers, earnings for the graphic artist working on a contract basis can be much higher potentially than those working full time in a business setting.
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