Pursuing a Career in Graphic Design

A graphic designer -- sometimes also called graphic artist -- is a creative person who places together images or motion graphics (or both) with typography to produce an artistic and persuasive piece of work. Graphic designers create such work for printed, published or digital forms of media (newspapers, magazines, TV, film, Internet) for use in advertising.

Some graphic designers are responsible for illustration, typesetting and web design. Because these are specialty subjects within graphic design, only someone who is trained in this particular field will work on such projects.

The main responsibility of a graphic designer is to present information in such a way that is easily accessed by a lay person and also it looks pleasing to the eye.

Many graphic designers produce work for clients to promote, publicize or advertise a certain product, service or topic.

Many graphic designers have obtained degrees by going to college, or graduating from one of the many credited trade schools. In some cases, graphic designers do not need a specific college or trade degree to work as a designer at a reputable company; however, most graphic designers have vast amounts of experience by doing "hands-on" work.

No matter what kind of graphic designer you become, your job encompasses visual presentation of tangible and intangible things. Many graphic designers work in print, periodicals, advertising or other related fields. Whether you are designing a CD cover or the label on a can of corn, your job functions will primarily be the same. If you decide to become a graphic design in the advertising industry, then your focus is to represent the object that you are trying to sell to a target audience. You want your design to be superior, original, attractive, yet appropriate to what you need to represent. You will spend much of your time brain-storming, trying to create appropriate design ideas. Your job as a graphic designer is to come up with new and visual ways to represent an object or idea. This is not easy work, but it can be fun and challenging.

Your life as a graphic designer will bring you into many brain-storming sessions with clients. The meeting room is where you will discuss projects with other graphic designers, advertisers, writers and other professionals. Graphic design is very collaborative. Expect to work with other highly-creative individuals. The experience is both exhilarating and challenging. During meetings, clients will expect you to participate or lead a group of designers towards a common goal.

If you decide to freelance as a graphic designer, an average day may look very different than a day working with a team of designers. Many freelance graphic designers work from home. You may spend a lot of time communicating with clients via e-mail and conference calls. As a freelance graphic designer, you must have the discipline to stay on task and finish individual projects on a timely basis. Although you have the freedom of working from home with no supervision or little interruption, you are responsible of generating your own ideas.

If you desire to become a graphic designer, then it's essential to produce a good portfolio. Your portfolio will show off and display your talents to their fullest. Most graphic designers continually update their portfolios during the course of their careers.

Whereas 20 years ago, a graphic designer had to carry their work in either a big black binder or thick portfolio case, today most graphic designers digitize their portfolios and make their samples of work to prospective clients either through the Internet, on a CD or a DVD. As you can see, the invention of the computer and the evolution of technology has made graphic design much easier.