| Graphic Design Career Information | | | | program while in college is an excellent way to |
| Are you ready to start your career in the Graphic | | | | prepare yourself for future work experience and job |
| Design industry? Do you possess the creativity, | | | | possibilities. An internship helps build your skills, |
| attention to detail, and technical training required to be | | | | demonstrate your talents, and make future job |
| successful, but just don’t know where to start? If | | | | contacts. |
| so, then read on. Obtaining a rewarding and exciting | | | | Getting Graphic Design Experience |
| position in the field of Graphic Design can be easier | | | | Like most individuals, once you’ve completed your |
| then you think. All it takes is getting the right work | | | | technical education and training, landing the perfect job |
| experience. And you can do that by focusing your | | | | isn’t always as easy as you might expect. In order |
| talents in three basic areas: formal education, quality | | | | to get the most out of your college or technical school |
| portfolio, and on-the-job training. | | | | training, you should seriously consider enrolling in a |
| Formal Education: Graphic designers usually have a | | | | Graphic Design practicum. In a typical practicum, you |
| bachelor’s degree in art or design. Formal training | | | | will gain experience in the graphic design field by |
| helps you develop your talent and skills and provide | | | | working for a company that is directly involved in the |
| training in computer software, which is highly utilized in | | | | industry. You will gain work experience and additional |
| the visual art arena. And while a degree in not always | | | | training in your specific area of interest. |
| required for all entry-level positions, a formal education | | | | Additionally, you will receive college credits towards |
| helps to balance your creative and artistic side. | | | | your graduation requirements. |
| Quality Portfolio Before you can obtain a job in the | | | | Why A Practicum? Usually, by the time you enroll in a |
| field of Graphic Design, you will need a portfolio. A | | | | Graphic Design practicum, you know fairly specifically |
| portfolio is a collection of your best work and helps | | | | which area of graphic design you wish to work in. |
| demonstrate your skills to clients or potential | | | | However, there are many times that students are still |
| employers. A portfolio may include hand drawings, | | | | undecided. A Graphic Design practicum will allow you |
| computer images, photos, and print samples. You can | | | | to work in a particular area and “test the |
| collect samples from your art and design courses, | | | | waters” before you go out and apply for an actual |
| save letters of recommendations from teachers and | | | | paid position. As such, this type of experience is |
| employers, etc. Let your portfolio speak for itself. A | | | | practically unmatched as an educational tool since you |
| picture is worth a thousand words. | | | | can dabble in a number of areas within the field and |
| On-The-Job Training As a beginning designer, you will | | | | find exactly what fits your talents and desires firsthand. |
| most likely receive on-the-job training. If you have the | | | | Pete provides career information related services and |
| option, participating in an internship or practicum | | | | career counseling. |