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Graphic Designers
Overview » Industry Pathways » Visual Arts 
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Graphic designers are the workers who probably did a lot of sketching and doodling as children, even during their classes! They enjoy work activities that allow them to plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. You see the results of their work on computers, in magazines, and even at the movie theaters. They use a variety of print, electronic, and film technology to create a design that meets clients’ needs.
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—called environmental graphics—for business and government.
An increasing number of graphic designers are developing material for online Web pages, computer interfaces, and multimedia projects.
Designers held about 261,000 jobs in 2006.
Salaried designers worked in a number of different industries, depending on their design specialty. Graphic designers, for example, worked primarily in specialized design services; newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers; and advertising and related services.
Among the design specialties, jobs in graphic design are projected to be the most abundant. Demand for graphic designers should increase because of the rapidly expanding market for Web-based information and expansion of the video entertainment market, including television, movies, video, and made-for-Internet outlets.
Overall employment of designers in general is expected to grow about average for all occupations through the year 2016 consumers, businesses, and manufacturers continue to rely on the services provided by designers. However, designers in most fields are expected to face strong competition for available positions.
This is a very enjoyable occupational area, and many talented individuals are attracted to careers as designers. Individuals with little or no formal education in design, as well as those who lack creativity and determination, will find it very difficult to establish and maintain a career in the occupation.
Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People in this field must have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation of beauty. Designers also need excellent communication and problem-solving skills. A good portfolio—a collection of examples of a person’s best work—often is the deciding factor in getting a job.
A bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level design positions.
Formal training for some design professions also is available in two and three-year professional schools that award certificates or associate degrees in design. Graduates of two-year programs normally qualify as assistants to designers, or they may enter a formal bachelor’s degree program. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is granted at four-year colleges and universities. The curriculum in these schools includes art and art history, principles of design, designing and sketching, and specialized studies for each of the individual design disciplines, such as garment construction, textiles, mechanical and architectural drawing, computerized design, sculpture, architecture, and basic engineering.
A liberal arts education or a program that includes training in business or project management, together with courses in merchandising, marketing, and psychology, along with training in art, is recommended for designers who want to freelance. In addition, persons with training or experience in architecture qualify for some design occupations, particularly interior design.
Employers increasingly expect new designers to be familiar with computer-aided design software as a design tool.
Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training and normally need one to three years of training before they can advance to higher-level positions. Experienced designers in large firms may advance to chief designer, design department head, or other supervisory positions. Some designers leave the occupation to become teachers in design schools or in colleges and universities. Many faculty members continue to consult privately or operate small design studios to complement their classroom activities. Some experienced designers open their own firms.
Typical annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of graphic designers were as follows:
The American Institute of Graphic Arts reported 2007 typical annual earnings for graphic designers with increasing levels of responsibility. Staff-level graphic designers earned $41,2800.
If you are interested in this occupation or are wondering about related occupations, use the links below to continue your exploration. Always remember, the more effort you put into exploring possible careers, the easier it will be for you to discover the best career choices for you!
For career information and links to employment resources contact:
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Occupational Information Network, O*NET Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/
For general information about art and design and a list of accredited college-level programs, contact:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design: http://nasad.arts-accredit.org
For information about graphic, communication, or interaction design careers, contact:
American Institute of Graphic Arts: http://www.aiga.org
For information about planning and paying for college, visit Junior Achievement’s Financial Aid Center .
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