What Can I Do With A Major In Graphic Design?
Graphic designers—or graphic artists—plan, analyze and create visual solutions to communications problems. They find the most effective way to get messages across in print, electronic and film media using a variety of methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation and various print and layout techniques. Graphic designers develop the overall layout and production design of magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports and other publications. They also produce promotional
displays, packaging and marketing brochures for products and services, design distinctive logos for products and businesses, and develop signs and signage systems—called environmental graphics—for business and government. An increasing number of graphic designers also develop material for Internet Web pages, interactive media and multimedia projects. Graphic designers also may produce the credits that appear before and after television programs and movies.
Possible Career Options
(Some may require further education/specialization)Advertising Account Manager
Advertising Agency Coordinator
Animator
Apparel Designer
Art Appraiser
Art Director
Art Restorer
Art Teacher/Professor
Brand Identity Designer
Cartoonist
Catalog Page Designer
CD/Record Cover Designer
Cinematographer
Commercial Designer
Communication Specialist
Corporate Designer
Costume Designer
Custom Decorator
Design Assistant
Desktop Publishing Artist
Exhibit Designer
Graphic Designer
Illustrator
Industrial Designer
Interior Designer
Layout Artist
Logo Designer
Magazine Designer
Multimedia Designer
Multimedia Systems Analyst
Package Designer
Photographer
Printing Press Operator
Retail Visual Merchandising
Sales Representative
Textile Designer
Toy Designer
TV Graphic Designer
Video Game Designer
Video Technician
Visual Merchandiser
Web Designer
Types of Employers
Advertising Firms
Apparel Manufacturers/Textile Mills
Architecture/Engineering Firms
Art Galleries
Art Publications
Colleges/Universities
Community Service Agencies
Consulting Organizations
Consumer Products Firms
Corporate Communications
Craft Guilds
Cultural Organizations
Federal, State and Local Government
Historical Societies
Independent Production Companies
Libraries
Media Organizations
Museums
Photo Agencies & Studios
Private Schools - National
Private Schools - International
Public Relations/Advertising Firms
Publishing Houses
Retail Stores
Transferrable Skills
Paints, draws, crafts, sculpts and creative design
Possesses proficiency for accurate detail
Concentrates for long periods
Possesses aptitude for spatial relationships
Meets deadlines
Recognizes differences in shapes, shading and color
Makes critical observations and appropriate decisions
Communicates ideas and emotions creatively
Decision making and problem solving
Uses logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
Weighs out the options in a situation or a problem and logically chooses the best course of action
Allocates and budgets time for different tasks so things get done when needed
Identifies a problem, reviews related information, develops and evaluates options, and implements a solution
Understands complex written paragraphs, instructions or reports
Uses logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
Experiential Education
Designing logos/publications for a graphic arts firm
Assisting an interior designer with plans for a retail store
Teaching students in a summer art enrichment program
Professional Associations
AIGA,
aiga.org
Art Director Club,
adcglobal.org
Design Council,
designcouncil.org.uk
Design Management Institute,
dmi.org
Graphic Artists Guild,
graphicartistsguild.org
Society of Environmental Graphic Design,
segd.org
Society for News Design,
snd.org
Society of Publication Designers (SPD),
spd.org
Enhancing Your Employability
Join relevant student organizations to develop leadership skills
Participate in internships and field experience placements
Become active in alumni and/or mentor networks
Plan on a graduate degree for advancement
Take part in mock interview opportunities
Contact Us
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