Does a career as a graphic designer appeal to you? If so, you’re not alone. This career path is becoming a popular one due to the fact that many students now have easy access to affordable graphic design programs at home. Many students are taking up graphic design as a hobby and then choose to later further their skill with a solid education in graphic design.
What is Graphic Design?
Graphic design, in the modern day, generally involves using computer software to design media messages used for communication purposes. There are many types of graphic designers including:
- Logo designers
– Website designers
– Flash designers
– CAD designing
– Multimedia designers
– Photo editing/art
Most graphic designers start with designing banners, brochures, stationary, business cards, logos, websites and other corporate related design requirements. If you decide to pursue a career in graphic design, this flexibility gives you a great opportunity to expand your experience. You may easily branch out into other fields once you are an expert at using graphic design programs.
Graphic Design Programs
While there are many types of graphic design programs available, it is usually the same few that are used by most all designers. Most designers prefer to use a MAC computer, however many design programs are available on both the PC and MAC.
A few of the most commonly used professional graphic design programs include:
- Adobe Photoshop
– Daz Studio
– AutoCAD
– CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
– Adobe Illustrator
– Adobe Flash Professional
– Macromedia Freehand
– QuarkXpress
– Director
– Fireworks
– Paint Shop Pro
Graphic design jobs of all types require exceptional attention to detail and patience. Designers often work on the same project for weeks on end, so being able to cope with a repetitive environment is important. There are also often strict deadlines to meet.
Self Employment
Graphic design has a high rate of self employment due to the ease of delivering graphic design work. Graphic design can be undertaken solely at home on a computer and as such many people simply find clients through word of mouth, advertising and via the internet. It is certainly possible to make a good living running a graphic design business right from your home or from your own office.
A self employed graphic designer does not have the advantage of the regular income that a paid employee has. There are also no retirement benefits. However there are other benefits to self employment including:
- Tax breaks
– Flexible hours
– Possibility to earn more money
– Choose your own clients
– Being your own boss
The negatives of being self employed are often significantly outweighed by the positives.
Graphic Designer Salary Guide
So how much does a graphic designer earn? That is the question asked by many budding graphic designers, but the answer is not black and white. In fact, compared with most other industries there is a wide variation in the salary of graphic designers worldwide. The average salary of a graphic designer in the U.S. is listed at about $45,000. However people who are self employed may earn double this amount, as will designers in higher positions in corporations.
Graphic design can incorporate many different paths including web design and corporate stationary design. There are many avenues for designers to take in order to earn high salaries in this exciting career. Graphic design was once a volatile line of work, however, now jobs are relatively stable and wages are on the increase. Despite the threat of overseas outsourcing, many graphic designers can still find work locally as companies see the value of having a designer on site rather than having to communicate with those in countries like India.
Graphic designers often boost their salary by becoming a freelancer. By freelancing you have unlimited income opportunities. The only limit is how much work you can take on and of course how many clients you can gather. Freelance is the same as being self employed, so you are not reliant on an employer and you can generally choose your own hours. You can also have the luxury of working at home. If you do not have a home office set up then it can be difficult to concentrate on work so some graphic designers choose to rent an office in order to separate their work and home lives.
Web design is a popular avenue for graphic designers to take due to the increased demand for high quality designers. Every business needs a website these days and if a graphic designer can offer a package of business card design, stationary and web design then they can earn significantly more money and out perform other designers who solely focus just on business card and logo design.
A graphic designer salary is never set in stone as there is so much scope for extra work and up-selling when it comes to offering your services. Being innovative and having good business sense will ensure that your career as a graphic designer is a successful one. If you’re artistic, creative, and like working with technology, consider a career in graphic design.
Careers in graphic design are hot. Find out how to complete your graphic design online degree quickly and easily by visiting http://www.careertoolkits.com today. Read free, online graphic design articles.
Tags: career, careers, education, job, jobs, research
85 comments
Babs Mac Kinnon
April 30, 2009 at 1:10 pm (UTC 2)
I would like to work as a freelance graphic designer from home in my spare time. I am currently the production manager for Caxton publishers in Jan smuts ave craighall. I will do any layouts for newspaper publications, leaflets, children’s ads, corporate identity, magazines etc. I may be contacted on 082-8518812
Regards
Babs
Andrea, from Ars Logo Design
May 9, 2009 at 5:08 am (UTC 2)
Graphic design is a career full of challenges and rewards. But the most important thing is to feel passion for design: Passion drives you wherever you want to get.
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August 15, 2009 at 2:55 am (UTC 2)
thanks for this article, i will show it to somebody how wants to be a graphic designer just because she likes to draw, she must be really convinced, and this article will help.
Eileen @ Hiring Graphic Designers
August 15, 2009 at 9:12 am (UTC 2)
I would love to be a graphic designer, although I took BS computer science back in college, I still want to. Finding time to study is hard though…
Thanks for adding a positive attitude for people wanting to learn this! Hiring graphic designers nowadays is becoming even more popular, especially for website owners who looks for freelancer web designers.
I believe this is a career that will never go out of time
Pixel Playground
September 14, 2009 at 12:28 am (UTC 2)
Hey guys,
Great article, I noticed a few people are interested in design. If you want to get some info on designing, Inspiration, tutorials and more just visit our design blog. http://www.pixelplayground.co.za/blog
Its free and we just want to share info on design and so on. its purely for the love of design.
Cheers!
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September 20, 2009 at 7:24 pm (UTC 2)
Excellent article, I really love the fact of being my own boss, and freelance is the best way that you can enjoy life and earn money.
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One main advantage of working freelance is taking charge of your time and not having to worry about going to an office for a fixed number of hours. A disadvantage though is not having a fixed salary and only being paid on a per project basis. I guess, it’s all about your strategy of getting clients combined with your skills.
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