Graphic
Artist /
Designers
generate
the
visual
presentation
and
design
of
goods,
including
websites,
detergent
boxes,
album
covers,
and dog
food
cans.
Their
work is
usually
done on
a
project
basis.
Designers
must be
able to
work
under
extreme
time
constraints
and very
defined
financial
and
design
limits
to
produce
quality
material.
A
graphic
designer
must be
able to
synthesize
feedback
from a
number
of
different
sources
into a
distinctive
image;
use
research
prepared
by a
marketing
department
and cost
specifications
determined
by a
budgeting
department;
and
produce
a
variety
of
sketches
and
models
that
demonstrate
different
approaches
to the
product.
This
takes a
person
who can
listen
to
comments
and has
a good
eye for
aesthetic
design,
a flair
for
color,
and a
solid
understanding
of the
needs of
the
corporate
world.
“Graphic
design
isn’t
one job.
It’s
20,”
wrote
one
overworked
designer.
“Sales[person]
skills
are very
important
if you
want to
see your
designs
accepted,”
wrote
another.
Nearly
all
respondents
listed
communication
skills
as
either
second
or third
in
importance
for
success
in this
profession.
Over
time,
choosing
a
specialty
is the
name of
the
game,
either
in
website
design,
product
or
packaging
design,
material
use, or
object
arrangement.
When
projects
are
under
way,
graphic
designers
can
expect
to work
long
hours
brainstorming
and
meeting
with
executives
to
discuss
ideas.
The job
is
highly
visible;
successes
and
failures
alike
are
recognized
and are
put on
display.
Individuals
who are
insecure
about
their
skills
or their
ideas
have a
hard
time
accepting
the
amount
of risk
and
rejection
this
career
entails.
A
successful
graphic
designer
has an
enviable
life,
choosing
clients
and
earning
significant
amounts
of
money.
However,
be
warned:
An
artist’s
style
may be
very hot
one
season
and turn
into a
parody
the
next.
People
who are
unwilling
or
unable
to
change
could
find
promising
careers
declining.
Of the
nearly
25,000
people
who try
to enter
the
field of
graphic
design
each
year,
only
about 60
percent
last the
first
two
years,
and
about 30
percent
remain
in the
field at
five
years.
Paying
Your
Dues
The
majority
of
graphic
designers
have a
four-year
degree,
usually
in
product
design,
art, or
art
history.
Graphic
designers
must
have
talent
and an
understanding
of the
business
world,
including
issues
of
finance
and
production,
and
should
be
familiar
with
computer
software
such as
InDesign,
Quark
XPress,
Photoshop,
Adobe
Illustrator,
and
other
painting
and
graphic
design
tools.
Graphic
designers
must be
able to
work in
a
variety
of media
and meet
deadlines,
sizing
limits,
and
financial
restrictions,
especially
those
designers
who wish
to work
as
freelance
graphic
designers
rather
than
in-house
salaried
designers.
Basic
pre-professional
coursework
should
include
design,
drawing,
computer
artwork,
and
specific
knowledge
(for
example,
anatomy
for
medical
graphics
designers)
relating
to any
area of
specialization.
Professionals
must
assemble
a
working
portfolio
to
approach
companies
for work
of any
scale.
For
individuals
who wish
to
pursue
further
study,
more
than 100
schools
offer
accredited
graphic
design
programs,
according
to the
National
Association
of
Schools
of Art
and
Design,
and each
addresses
issues
of the
working
life of
the
graphic
designer
along
with
issues
of
design.
Associated
Careers
Many
artists
turn to
graphic
design
to make
a living
during
their
lean
years
and then
return
to art.
A number
of them
become
gallery
owners
and
patrons
and use
the
contacts
they
made as
designers
to help
out new
talent
in need
of
remunerative
work.
The
significant
number
of
graphic
artists
who
leave do
so
because
of the
scrambling
lifestyle:
the need
to
pursue
work
constantly
and the
requirement
to act
as a
salesperson
for
their
ideas.
Others
take
inhouse
positions
as
design
consultants
and as
magazine
layout
editors.