| When you read a magazine, buy a product at the | | | | consumer about the product. |
| supermarket, look at a billboard, watch television, or | | | | How's the Job Outlook? |
| cruise a website, chances are you're looking at the | | | | Like many specialized careers, your job prospects |
| work of a graphic designer. Today's graphic designers | | | | may depend upon your level of training. Most |
| use traditional tools including pencils and paper, but they | | | | entry-level graphic design positions require an |
| also use the newest and most sophisticated computer | | | | associate or bachelor's degree. You'll need to get |
| design software. Computer design applications include | | | | training from an accredited college or career school. |
| Adobe Illustrator, PRIMO pdf, AutoCAD 3-D Modeling | | | | But finding a good school should not be difficult; the |
| software, and Adobe Flash software for web-based | | | | National Association of Schools of Art and Design |
| flash designs. To learn how to effectively use these | | | | accredits about 250 postsecondary institutions with |
| tools, you'll need the right training. | | | | programs in art and design. |
| An Example: You Design an Ad for Sneakers | | | | Once you've got the degree you need, what's the |
| It's the job of a graphic designer to create a message | | | | outlook? According to the U.S. Department of Labor's |
| using color, shape, line, and texture. The message can | | | | Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 40,000 new jobs will |
| be structured to enhance the sale of a product, or it | | | | be added in this field in the current decade from 2008 |
| can be reflected in the product itself to create visual | | | | through 2018. Median salaries were $42,400 in May, |
| appeal and branding. | | | | 2008, but annual earnings can go over $100,000 for |
| For example, consider a sporting goods manufacturer | | | | those who have ownership interest in a successful |
| that is introducing a new line of classic basketball | | | | firm. |
| sneakers. If they are marketed effectively they will sell | | | | Prospects will be better for graphic designers with |
| well to young adult men, whether or not the buyers | | | | website design and animation experience. Demand |
| actually play basketball. | | | | should increase for interactive media products including |
| The marketing director of the advertising agency | | | | cellphones, video games, personal digital assistants, and |
| responsible for introducing the new sneaker comes to | | | | other technology. Proficiency with computers and |
| you, the graphic designer. The marketing director asks | | | | computer design programs will be an asset. |
| you to create an Internet advertisement for the | | | | Is it a competitive field? Yes! But the rewards are |
| sneaker. It's got to look exciting, dynamic, and fresh. | | | | great. Imagine creating graphic art that could be seen |
| The ad may feature an endorsement by a pro | | | | by millions of people, and may even influence popular |
| basketball player. | | | | culture. With the right training, imagination, and hard |
| Are you going to design your ad using a theme of | | | | work, a rewarding career in graphic design could be |
| pretty yellow daisies in a summer garden? Probably | | | | yours. |
| not. Daisies are lovely, but they won't sell basketball | | | | Getting Started |
| sneakers. Would you use a cute puppy? Again, no. | | | | If you enjoy visual design and want to get professional |
| Everyone likes puppies, but you wouldn't use one in | | | | training, you'll need to find an accredited college or |
| your ad campaign for sneakers. | | | | career school, either near you or online, that offers |
| Using a program like CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, you | | | | graphic design programs. But how do you find a |
| might create a design showing a group of urban kids | | | | school? The best way to start is to go online to a |
| playing basketball on an asphalt parking lot. Maybe it's | | | | reputable college directory. You can enter the search |
| at night, and the only light is from an overhead street | | | | terms that fit your situation, such as "graphic design," |
| light. Perhaps your layout uses colors like black and | | | | "associate degree," and your home town or ZIP code. |
| purple and silver. The lettering in the text is slanted and | | | | You'll see a variety of choices. Check them out and |
| dynamic. You can tell from the ad that the kids who | | | | compare programs, financial aid opportunities, career |
| wear the shoes are passionate about basketball. | | | | services, and schedules. Then with one click you can |
| Even before you begin, you've already made some | | | | get free information from the schools you've chosen. |
| choices that a graphic designer makes. Whether you | | | | Make your choice and apply. In less time than you think |
| are designing an ad for sneakers, the box the | | | | you could be on your way to a rewarding new career |
| sneakers come in, or even the logo on the side of | | | | in graphic design. |
| each sneaker, the choices you make help tell the | | | | |