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Art - Graphic Design
Graphic design is also known as commercial art or visual communication. Artistic talent, creativity, the ability to communicate visually, verbally and in written form, as well as sensitivity to current trends and tastes are essential qualities for the graphic designer. Graphic design fields range from newspaper layouts, to placing reproductions in an art book, to designing a major advertising campaign.
The central function of the graphic designer is creating or composing the page: type, illustration, color, balance and so on. Additional technical skills, such as multimedia design, are also increasingly important. Imagination, the ability to communicate ideas through images, attention to detail, analytical thinking and problem solving skills are the building blocks of graphic design. Because of the nature of the work, tight deadlines and possible creative "blocks", persistence, self-discipline, stamina, perseverance and optimism are helpful personal attributes to cultivate.
OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Animator
Art director
Book designer
Biological photographer
Cartoonist
Editorial artist
Exhibition design
Fashion illustrator
Freelancer
Graphic designer
Illustrator
Medical and scientific illustrator
Motion graphics
Package design
Photographer
Photo journalist
Scientific photographer
Typeface design
Web design
*In most cases, the B.A. or B.F.A. degree is required.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Employment of graphic designers is expected to grow 10 percent from 2006 to 2016. Some of this increase is expected to stem from the expansion of the video entertainment market, including television, movies, video, and made-for-Internet outlets. Graphic designers with Web site design and animation experience will especially be needed as demand increases for design projects for interactive media—Web sites, video games, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and other technology. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm)
POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Advertising agencies
Book publishers
Corporate graphic design
Design studios
Magazine publishers
Newspapers
Private industry
Self-employment
U.S. Government
SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Books (* denotes books available in the Career Center Library)
- *Camenson, Blythe. Great Jobs for Art Majors, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2003.
- Craig, James. Graphic Design Career Guide, New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 1992.
- *Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, Vol. 2, Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Co., 2000.
- *Fogg, Neeta, et.al. The College Majors Handbook, Indianapolis, IN: JIST Works, Inc., 2004.
- Gordon, Barbara. Opportunities in Commercial Art and Graphic Design Careers, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2004.
- *Gurvis, Sandra. Careers for Non-Conformists, New York, NY: Marlowe and Company, 2000.
- Haubenstock, Susan H. & Joselit, David. Career Opportunities in Art, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Series, 2001.
- Heller, Steve & Fernandes, Teresa. Becoming a Graphic Designer. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2006.
Professional Associations
- American Institute of Graphic Arts, 164 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010, http://www.aiga.org.
- Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, 200 Deer Run Road, Sewickley, PA 15143-2600, http://www.gain.net.
- Magazine Publishers of America, 810 7th Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10019, http://www.magazine.org.
- Society of Publication Designers, 17E 47th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017, http://www.spd.org.
- The Graphic Artists Guild, 32 Broadway, Suite 1114, New York, NY 10038-3202, http://www.gag.org.
- The Society of Illustrators, 128 East 63rd Street, New York, NY 10004, http://www.societyillustrators.org.
Web sites
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