Tuesday, December 9, 2008

A Career As a Graphic Designer

When one decides on a career as a graphic designer this can include working with sound, images, film, illustrations, colors and animation just to name a few of the materials that are used. The materials used are dependent upon what the client desires. Normally this process starts with a sketch that is either hand drawn or computer generated. Then the preliminary sketch must be approved before the work is started.

The smaller shops that require the duties of a graphic artist may not be nearly as vast as those who work for a larger company. The responsibilities might include the design of pamphlets, advertisements and flyers that are handed out to the public. The graphic designer for large companies are responsible for analyzing and creating the most effective way to convey a message. They will also design the packaging for many items for retail sale. There are many graphic designer that generate material for the internet as well as credits that are shown before a television show and afterwards.

Some of the considerations of the graphic designer are the end result of their work when it is seen by customers. They must also consider the physical, social and cognitive factors when planning the design they will use for the audience the advertising is intended. When gathering the necessary information for the design they are planning to do, they must meet with the clients, art directors and by researching the subject themselves.

The graphic designer will need to use a special computer program to help them to develop the design and to develop the animated graphics to their satisfaction. They may need an assistant to help them to do many of the tasks they are responsible for so they may get the work completed in a timely manner.

The Education of a Graphic Designer

The graphic designer should have a bachelor's degree for the entry level as well as the advanced graphic designers. The entry level position, depending upon the type of company one works for may only require an associate's degree. When getting ready for this type of position, the student should take courses in the following:

Principles of design
Computerized design
Studio art
Commercial graphics
Printing techniques
Web site design

There are a few other courses that should be taken in addition to those listed above. A liberal arts education is another that will help designers to understand the nature of the work they are doing. The associate degrees and any certificates that they may receive can be from a 2 or 3 year professional school. The courses taken will normally be focused on the technical aspects rather than any other part of graphic design. Those having a bachelor's degree in another field can take the 2 or 3 year course to learn all the technical information they need to know.

There are approximately 250 colleges with programs in art and design. These schools will award a degree in graphic design. The courses that are related to computer graphics and design are encouraged before applying for a position. The graphic designer must be great at communicating with people.

In keeping with the exchange of ideas the communication of ideas must be able to be expressed when it comes to seeing, understanding and reading them. The detailed person is a good candidate. The presentation of their idea for the project is often what will decide if they will get the position. So this must be the absolute best presentation available. Working with deadlines and budgets is another feature the graphic designer will have to implement. This is a field where the graphic designer will be working mostly by themselves.

One of the ways beginning graphic designers learn much of the business they have begun is by on the job training. This can be anywhere from one to three years depending upon the type of work they are doing.

Earnings of a Graphic Designer

The graphic designer can be a salaried position with the normal business hours worked unless they are rushing to meet a deadline. The salaries will range from $25,000 per year to $90,000 for an experienced graphic designer. The average salary though is $40,000 per year. The industries employing the most people in the field of graphic design is specialized design services followed by advertising, publishers of periodicals and books, printing companies and newspapers.

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