Graphic designer essential career information:
- 2012 median pay: $44,150
- 2012, number of jobs: 191,440
- Employment growth forecast, 2010-2020: 13 percent
- Entry-level education requirements: Bachelor degree
Graphic designers; what they do:
Graphic designers are responsible for the logos, websites, and other images which connect people to specific brands or companies and make them easily recognizable. Graphic designers create their work by hand and using computer software, or a combination of the two.
Graphic designer careers include advising clients on ways to reach their target audience through image or visually-based marketing and advertising campaigns. Graphic designers play a major part in determining the message a design should portray, they provide messages through images, color, texts, and layout selected.
A graphic designer career includes presenting ideas and various drafts to the art director, making changes as requested.
Due to the amount of computer technology used in their profession, graphic designers remain up-to-date on developing software and computer technologies in order to remain competitive.
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Graphic designers job titles:
- Graphic Artist
- Graphic Design Artist
- Freelance Graphic Designer
- Designer
- Creative Designer
- Design Director
- Composing Room Supervisor
- Creative Manager
- Desktop Publisher
Graphic Designers Education, Certification and License Requirements
Some people seeking a graphic designer career obtain a Bachelor of Graphic Design degree or a degree in a related field. Individuals with an unrelated bachelor degree may begin a graphic design career after obtaining technical training in graphic design. People interested in a graphic designer career need a professional portfolio of their work in order to apply for a job in the graphic design field.
Typically graphic designers keep up with new and updated computer graphics and design software, either on their own or through formal software training programs.
Graphic designer programs cover subjects such as:
- Studio art
- Principles of design
- Computerized design
- Commercial graphics production
- Printing techniques
- Website design
- Writing
- Marketing
- Business
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Graphic designers remain up-to-date on computer graphics and design software either on their own or through attending formal software training programs.
Graphic designers don’t need specific licenses or certifications.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Graphic designers with work experience
may advance in their career to a position such
as chief designer, art director or creative director.
Graphic Designers Job Outlook
Forecast: 13 percent employment growth from 2010 to 2020 for graphic designers, on par with the average for all occupations.
Employment growth for graphic designers may grow the most in computer systems design and related industries. The ever-increasing use of the Internet increases the demand for graphic designers to help create the images and designs used in the advertising and marketing of websites, electronic publications, portable devices, and video entertainment media.
Employment growth may occur for graphic designers in the advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing fields.
Graphic Designers Salary
- 2012 median annual wage: $44,150
- 2012, workers at the 75th percentile annual wage: $59,390
- 2012, workers at the 25% percentile annual wage: $33,550
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Graphic Designers Major Employers

- Specialized design services
- Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers
- Advertising, public relations, and related services
- Printing and related public activities
- Computer systems design and related services
