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Graphic Design Outcomes & Career Options
Graphic designers combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of websites and printed pages. They may use a variety of design elements to achieve artistic or decorative effects. Graphic design is important to marketing and selling products, and is a critical component of brochures and logos. Therefore, graphic designers, also referred to as graphic artists or communication designers, often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing. Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client. For example, some create the graphics used on retail products packaging, still others may work on the visual designs used on book jackets. Graphic designers need to keep up to date with the latest software and computer technologies to remain competitive.
Educational Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree and detailed portfolio of work is usually required, and advanced studies beyond the bachelor’s degree are recommended for advanced placement and higher salaries. A portfolio is a collection of handmade, computer generated, or printed examples of the artist’s best work. In theory, a person with a good portfolio but no training or experience could succeed in graphic arts. In reality, assembling a successful portfolio requires skills generally developed in a post-secondary art or design school program.
Job Outlook
Employment of graphic designers in newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers is projected to decline 35 percent from 2014 to 2024. However, employment of graphic designers in computer systems design and related services is projected to grow 21 percent over the same period, thus resulting in no or only little change in employment opportunities overall. With the increasing use of the Internet, companies are increasing their digital presence and graphic designers will be needed to help create visually appealing and effective layouts of websites.
In 2014, about 1 in 5 graphic designers were self-employed. Graphic designers who are self-employed may need to adjust their workday to meet with clients in the evenings or on weekends. In addition, they may spend some of their time looking for new projects or competing with other designers for contracts.
Entering Salary
- $46,460 for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
- $30,720 for craft artists
- $58,450 for all other artists and related workers
- $46,460 for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
- $30,720 for craft artists
- $58,450 for all other artists and related workers
Sources:
Academic program information adapted from:
La Sierra University. (2016-2017). Undergraduate Academic Bulletin. Retrieved from http://www.lasierra.edu/bulletin
Career information adapted from:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Graphic Designers, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm (visited May 19, 2016).