Graphic Design
Graphic design degrees are tailored for creative and tech-savvy individuals. Ideal designers are those who want to learn effective techniques for making a visual impact on an audience, with a variety of different purposes in mind. Individuals in a graphic design program learn about both the art and business sides of graphic design. Courses introduce students to the software many graphic designers and other design specialists use on the job. Students learn how to design effective websites, make good use of graphics in various publications and design an array of other materials. The employment outlook for graphic design degree-holders is average and you can expect keen competition from other new grads.
Common Career Paths:
Graphic Designers
Graphic designers are responsible for coming up with a concept to communicate a message through the use of graphics and implementing that concept. Those graphics might include elements such as photography, typefaces, color, shapes, texts and placement of such to make a strong impression on the viewer. They must be able to assess the needs of their clients, establish their primary audience, and come up with an artistic concept the client is satisfied with and that appeals to that audience. Graphic designers work in a variety of industries and apply their skills in different ways. Graphic designers may work with publications in designing the covers and inside pages of newspapers, magazines, journals and newsletters. They may work in brand design and development, coming up with artistic concepts and logos for new businesses and even government entities who want to have a better image in the eyes of the public. Advertising design is another popular field for graphic designers. Others may specialize in web design and work exclusively in making corporate and business websites attractive and easy to use. Job prospects should be average for graphic designers, as employment growth is only projected at 13 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It may be tricky to get a job due to fierce competition, and those who have experience with web design or animation will enjoy the best job prospects, the BLS notes. The average annual salary for graphic designers is $42,400, according to the BLS.
Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers
Graphic designers who find a solid niche in advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations or sales may choose to move up into a management position, where they coordinate the graphic designers and other staff that work under them. They are responsible for different tasks depending on their industry, but typical responsibilities include market research and developing and implementing a marketing strategy. Advertising managers are responsible for directing advertising campaigns for clients, which includes oversight of the creative team who develops the advertising concepts. Promotions managers oversee the creative team involved in coming up with publications, such as direct mail, newspaper inserts, product endorsements, and more. Public relations managers oversee a team dedicated to getting the word out and promoting the image of their clients, which involves overseeing the graphic design of any publications that are produced. Management in any of these areas can be extremely competitive; these sorts of jobs have always been highly coveted and the sluggish economy only puts more qualified job-seekers on the market. Individuals usually work their way up into these positions after acquiring several years of experience in their field and cross training in different areas. You can expect average job prospects and keen competition for jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The average annual salary for these management professionals was $80,220 for advertising and promotions managers, $108,580 for marketing managers, $97,260 for sales managers, and $89,430 for public relations managers, according to the BLS.
Photographers
A background in graphic design is very helpful for those who wish to become professional photographers. Not only do you become familiar with the software that allows you to launch an effective business website, but you will also learn how to use photo editing software to make the images you capture pop for your clients. Photographers often specialize in a certain areas of the field, such as weddings/parties/events, nature photography, portrait photography, fashion photography, newspaper photography or commercial photography. The advantage of photography is it provides a creative person with an outlet to make a living through their art, gets them out of a traditional office setting into a variety of locales where they take photos, and presents them with an opportunity to be their own boss. The disadvantage is the irregular hours one often must work to be successful (including evenings and weekends), the tedium of editing photos for hours on end, and the difficulty of carving out a place for oneself in what is often a saturated industry. Employment of photographers is expected to grow at an average pace and those entering the profession should expect to experience keen competition for jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The average annual wages for salaried photographers was $29,440 in May 2008, but more than half of photographers are self-employed, according to the BLS. Salaried photographers tend to earn more in an average year than self-employed photographers, the BLS notes.
