Survey of Design and Media Art | |
Instructor: Lindsay Grace |
U.S. Department of Labor Report
Graphic Designers (Subset of Designers)
Designers are people with a desire to create. They combine practical knowledge
with artistic ability to turn abstract ideas into formal designs for the merchandise
we buy, the clothes we wear, the Web sites we use, the publications we read,
and the living and office space we inhabit. Designers usually specialize in
a particular area of design, such as automobiles, industrial or medical equipment,
home appliances, clothing and textiles, floral arrangements, publications,
Web sites, logos, signage, movie or TV credits, interiors of homes or office
buildings, merchandise displays, or movie, television, and theater sets.
Graphic designers plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications
problems. They use a variety of print, electronic, and film media and technologies
to execute a design that meet clients’ communication needs. They consider
cognitive, cultural, physical, and social factors in planning and executing
designs appropriate for a given context. Graphic designers use computer software
to develop the overall layout and production design of magazines, newspapers,
journals, corporate reports, and other publications. They also produce promotional
displays 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 are developing material for Internet Web pages, computer
interfaces, and multimedia projects. Graphic designers also produce the credits
that appear before and after television programs and movies.
Training
Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People in this field must
have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color and detail, a sense
of balance and proportion, and an appreciation for beauty. Designers also
need excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Despite the advancement
of computer-aided design, sketching ability remains an important advantage
in most types of design, especially fashion design. A good portfolio—a
collection of examples of a person’s best work—often is the deciding
factor in getting a job.
A bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level design positions,
except for floral design and visual merchandising.
Formal training for some design professions also is available in 2- and 3-year
professional schools that award certificates or associate degrees in design.
Graduates of 2-year programs normally qualify as assistants to designers,
or they may enter a formal bachelor’s degree program. The Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree is granted at 4-year colleges and universities. The curriculum
in these schools includes art and art history, principles of design, designing
and sketching, and specialized studies for each of the individual design disciplines,
such as garment construction, textiles, mechanical and architectural drawing,
computerized design, sculpture, architecture, and basic engineering. A liberal
arts education or a program that includes training in business or project
management, together with courses in merchandising, marketing, and psychology,
along with training in art, is recommended for designers who want to freelance.
Individuals in the design field must be creative, imaginative, and persistent
and must be able to communicate their ideas in writing, visually, and verbally.
Because tastes in style and fashion can change quickly, designers need to
be well read, open to new ideas and influences, and quick to react to changing
trends. Problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and under
pressure are important traits. People in this field need self-discipline to
start projects on their own, to budget their time, and to meet deadlines and
production schedules. Good business sense and sales ability also are important,
especially for those who freelance or run their own business.
Employment Outlook
Overall employment of designers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012 as the economy expands and consumers, businesses, and manufacturers continue to rely on the services provided by designers. However, designers in most fields—with the exception of floral design—are expected to face keen competition for available positions. Many talented individuals are attracted to careers as designers. Individuals with little or no formal education in design, as well as those who lack creativity and perseverance, will find it very difficult to establish and maintain a career in the occupation.
Salary Description
Median annual earnings for graphic designers were $36,680 in 2002. The middle
50 percent earned between $28,140 and $48,820. The lowest 10 percent earned
less than $21,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $64,160. Median
annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of graphic
designers were as follows:
Advertising and related services: $39,510
Specialized design services: 38,710
Printing and related support activities: 31,800
Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers: 31,670
The American Institute of Graphic Arts reported 2002 median annual earnings for graphic designers with increasing levels of responsibility. Staff-level graphic designers earned $40,000, while senior designers, who may supervise junior staff or have some decision making authority that reflects their knowledge of graphic design, earned $55,000. Solo designers, who freelanced or worked under contract to another company, reported median earnings of $55,000. Design directors, the creative heads of design firms or in-house corporate design departments, earned $85,000. Graphic designers with ownership or partnership interests in a firm or who were principals of the firm in some other capacity earned $93,000.