Careers in Graphic Design
Nearly every company or organization has to invest in marketing, advertising, and branding to be successful. It's good news for graphic designers, putting their skills and creativity in high demand.
One of the most traditional graphic design careers is in the advertising industry. Advertising agencies take on outside companies to execute their marketing strategies through creative solutions. This means creating everything from a company's web site, to designing and developing their advertising campaigns and direct mail efforts, to producing their corporate collateral. Within an advertising agency, a graphic designer works as part of a team, which often includes people like an account or project manager-to manage the process of creation, an art director-to provide strategic direction on the brand, and a copywriter-to write the project's copy. The graphic designer almost always designs around the creative concept decided upon by the art director.
You can also choose to work as an in-house designer. In this role, you'll work with similar creative partners such as a copywriter and art director, creating marketing materials exclusively for your employer. As an in-house designer, you'll have the opportunity to design a variety of marketing vehicles and participate in the development of a strong brand.
Whether you choose an agency setting, or work in-house for a company, the skills you develop at either will allow you to move up in your career. As graphic designers gain years of experience and learn more about marketing strategy as a whole, they can become senior designers, overseeing the work of junior designers and production artists. There is also the possibility of becoming an art director or creative director, a position that has more authority and input over the creative direction of a company's brand image.
Aside from an innate sense of creativity, you're going to need skills. The best way to develop your design skills is to graduate from a graphic design program. Check out our listings for programs in graphic design.
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