Related job titles are: Graphic Designer, Graphic Artist, Designer, Creative Director, Artist, Design Director, Composing Room Supervisor, Creative Manager, Desktop Publisher, or Graphic Designer/Production.
How Much Does a Graphic Designer/Artist Make? | Graphic Designer/Artist Salary
The median yearly salary for graphic designers was $43,500 in May 2010 (the most recent data available). This median salary is simply the salary where half the employees earned more and half earned a lesser amount. Employees in the lower 10 percent had an annual salary less than $26,200, and those employees in the top 10 percent earned greater then $76,910.
What Does a Graphic Designer/Artist Do? | Job Description
Graphic designers create visual concepts, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They help to make an organization recognizable by selecting color, images, or logo designs that represent a particular idea or identity to be used in advertising and promotions.
Graphic designers combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of web screens and printed pages. They may use a variety of design elements to achieve artistic or decorative effects. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.
How to Become a Graphic Designer/Artist?
A bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field is usually required for jobs in this field. Candidates should demonstrate their creativity and originality through a professional portfolio that features their best designs. Students interested in graphic design programs should take basic art and design courses in high school, if the courses are available. Many bachelor's degree programs require students to have had a year of basic art and design courses before being admitted to a formal degree program.
Graphic Designer/Artist Classes and Courses | Degree Programs
A bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field is usually required. However, those with a bachelor’s degree in another field may pursue technical training in graphic design to meet most hiring qualifications.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits about 300 postsecondary, universities, and independent institutes with programs in art and design.
Most schools include studio art, principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and website design. In addition, students should consider courses in writing, marketing, and business, all of which are useful in helping designers work effectively on project teams.
Graphic Designer/Artist Jobs | Who is Hiring?
With the increased use of the Internet, designers will be needed to create designs and images for portable devices, websites, electronic publications, and video entertainment media. Graphic designers will take on increasingly important roles in the marketing of products. For example, graphic designers working in advertising or for computer design firms may influence the design of websites and publications. Designers will work with advertising and marketing staff to create graphics for websites, mobile phones, and other technology.
Get information on paying for college using Federal Student Financial Aid Programs.
