A graphic designer creates digital images by combining the use of computer software and art concepts to develop and deliver ideas to a client that would inform, inspire, or motivate a consumer.
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How to Become a Graphic Designer
To gain a career as a graphic designer, you usually need a bachelor’s degree in design or a similar field. While earning a degree, you will also build your professional portfolio that demonstrates your talent and abilities as a designer. Since graphic designers can work on a range of projects, computer courses taught would include photo editing programs, illustration programs, and perhaps some optional web design and video editing programs.
Taking an internship while in college may help you gain the experience necessary to land your first job as a graphic designer. An internship would also provide the opportunity to add real-world projects to your portfolio.
Job Description of a Graphic Designer
Graphic designers make complex ideas more accessible by illustrating content using their skills in text, color, and images. They can creatively transform statistical data into diagrams and visual graphics, create logos, and marketing material. They often interact with people in public relations, marketing, or advertising. They develop graphics for brochures, advertisements, corporate branding, and other media such as websites.
Graphic designers may also specialize in one area such as product package design, book cover design, or web design. A graphic designer must remain current in computer technologies and software. They are original and creative thinkers with the ability to develop and apply clever ideas in a design or application (like a website). Most graphic designers work in studios and many work for advertising or design companies, though some are self employed. This field is project oriented and more than often collaboration with colleagues and clients are necessary.
Benefits of Being a Graphic Designer
Did you know you have taken a positive step toward your career by reading our article about what a Graphic Designer does and how to become one? Way to go! We aim to help you select a job that is a perfect fit! We want to share more information about the benefits of the job, so why not follow along and learn more? Hang in there!
Graphic Designers have several benefits in their job, but the top of the list is the ability to be creative! They love what they do! They enjoy working in a pleasant office environment and possibly working in a remote setting.
Graphic Designers have multiple job opportunities in different environments. They are in demand, which means job security! They have stable hours, which makes an excellent work-life balance. They have more time for family and friends!
They like the advantages of constantly learning new things, giving them broader job opportunities with that experience. Graphic Designers make good incomes, and the more experience they have, the more money they make! They have excellent benefits packages of health, vision, and dental insurance. They receive paid sick leave, vacation days, and retirement options.
Graphic Designer Career Video Transcript
Graphic designers create visual concepts to inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, websites, magazines, and other print and online material. These designers use both text and images to communicate ideas. They design the lettering and color of text as well as arranging images and copy on a print or webpage. When using copy in layouts, graphic designers collaborate closely with writers. Many use their creativity to transform statistical data into visuals to make complex ideas more accessible. Graphic designers generally work in studios with drafting tables, computers, and design software.
Although many graphic designers work independently, those who work for specialized graphic design firms often work on teams. Work schedules typically revolve around deadlines whether to deliver a finished product to clients, printing companies, or to publish on the Internet. Self-employed designers tailor their workday around meetings with clients, including evenings and weekends. They often spend time looking for new projects and must compete with other designers for contracts. At firms, graphic designers are likely to work more standard hours. Most positions require a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field. A professional portfolio of their work is a must for graphic designers to show potential employers their skill, creativity, and originality.
Article Citations
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Graphic Designers.
National Center for O*NET Development. 27-1024.00. O*NET OnLine.
The career video is in the public domain from the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
