Do you have the interest, and the urge to be involved? Feel that your twirling fingers can sketch and draw their way to clasp the fat rolls of green? Yes, the sum of salary is itself the sufficient reason to drool. A graphic designer with a bachelor’s degree can make his way with $18,000 to $22,000 a year. An additional $5,000 or even $10,000 is sure to come as an extra bonus if you have harnessed web design proficiency and unexpected end of formula skills.
It is a possibility to get involved in this business without degrees, but it is always advisable that you do not leave the necessary paperwork out of the matter when thinking about jobs for a graphic designer. Most of your employers will refuse to look at you if you lack that paper that certifies your basic knowledge in the field and thus reflects your sincerity. A mere artistic inclination will not suffice, for you are expected to dabble your skills in typography, photography, illustrations, art history, painting and computer design software like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, etc. Since painting is mentioned in the list, it is important that you enroll in an art class while completing high school. As far as your degrees are concerned, you can take an admission in any School of Art and Design and study in fine arts or advertising; however, graphic arts and computer graphics should be of your sole interest. Keep yourself wired to the recent technology regarding computers, since you will be operating in them to entwine images and texts to create your designs. Hence, it is mandatory to train yourself in the latest graphics-related computer technology, with business and finance courses being your optional subjects.
As you apply to any of the top schools, make sure you attach some samples of your artwork to your portfolio as well. Make sure you do not have the blues regarding interviews, since some schools may call you for one. Once in school, it is advised that you get an internship at a design company that will provide you with important contacts and an impressive resume for you career. Soak in all information about packaging designs and advertising trends in all types of media, and invest some time in freelance work to dazzle you employers with your experience in the field. At school, you can have a four-year degree, generally in product design, art, or art history. To be aware, you must remember that a good course should generally involve art, computer design, and drawing.
However, the secret to success in graphic design does not end here. PR is one of the most cardinal points that you must harbor as your strength in this business. Having a keen eye for colors and composition will not satisfy. In this job, you will be a team member, and you will have to interact and work closely with copywriters, illustrators, photographers, and printers. Moreover, a good set of interpersonal skills will win hands down in selling your ideas to the executives while drawing in more corporate clients. Time is of utmost importance, as you have to squeeze in a huge workload into a short space until the deadline. Budget will be limited and thus you will have to make do with the resources available.
A sound knowledge of the market and its current status will assist you in the development of your career. Moreover, specific information like anatomy for medical designers is crucial in the respective fields. As you overwhelm yourself with so much of information, you must remember that this field is difficult to stay put in. And the statistics warn the washy wishers that of the 25,000 ambitious applicants every year, only 60% scrape through the first two years, while another 30% make it for five years. Even though hard work is no doubt the necessary investment, success is still not a guarantee. Some graphic designers may become tired of playing the salesmen in chasing clients around, and thus may settle as mere in-house designing consultants or magazine layout editors.
Still, the possibilities are never so bleak, since media jobs are extremely challenging, with deadlines wrecking havoc on the artistic souls to whip up creativity on demand. A brilliant educational record seasoned with lots of creative talent and topped with proficiency in the latest technology in graphic designing will win you kudos from both your employers and clients.
