- Graphic designers work primarily in a three mediums; print, computer and film. Most graphic designers can work with all three, but some prefer to specialize in one or the other. Graphic designers use color, font, illustrations and layout techniques while working for magazines, product manufacturers, advertising agencies and other businesses. Graphic designers are responsible for the creation of fliers, pamphlets, posters, packaging and commercials.
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Typically, graphic designers are required to have at least a bachelor's degree in graphic design from an accredited university or college. Some graphic designers may go on to earn their master's degree or higher. Some graphic designers prefer to take a tow-year course at a community or technical college, though this may limit their employment opportunities.
While studying graphic design, students will learn fine-art techniques as well as psychology, sociology, history, and other subjects which are used to inform the creation of their product. In the course of their career, a graphic designer will pull from all these sources to create new advertisements or other presentations that evoke a positive emotion from consumers. - Advertisers, publishers, Internet corporations, and computer design firms are the typical employers of graphic designers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expected that demand for graphic designers would grow steadily by about 10 percent between 2006 and 2016. Graphic designers are increasingly being employed in the design of web pages, electronic content, and computer or video games.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Outlook Handbook for 2007-200, graphic designers earned about $40,000 in 2006 with the average range of salaries being between $30,600 and $53,310. Graphic designers can also freelance and, according to the American Institute of Graphic Arts, well-established designers who freelance earned about $60,000 in 2007.
- In an effort to cut costs, some firms have outsourced low-level graphic design to overseas companies where the overhead and salaries are much cheaper. Though the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected an increase of US-based graphic design jobs of about 26,000 (or 10 percent) between 2006 and 2016, most of the available jobs will be very competitive. The American Institute of Graphic Arts notes that graphic artists who had an internship or received "co-op" job opportunities are typically in a better position when applying to the company since their work is a known quantity. It is advisable to take internships or "co-op" work assignments when they become available.
