Art school can be difficult, not only for the late nights and the project deadlines, but for life afterward. Finding a dependable and successful job using an art degree can be difficult. Few companies hire artists on a permanent basis, and the positions available for artists can be the source of extreme competition. Fortunately, one field is experiencing regular growth and offers artists the chance for a dependable source of revenue: graphic design.
Graphic design is not a picnic. Since it is one of the largest industries friendly to artists, there is still competition over the most well-paying jobs. Employers often have many different applicants and choose based not only on talent and experience and art degree but on good work ethics and business skills, so artists need to have a very impressive resume in order to attract attention. However, new graphic design positions open constantly as more and more businesses create websites, open and start marketing plans, or renew their current advertising strategies. Graphic design jobs range from low pay positions at small companies to very well paying jobs at design firms that offer their services to large corporations.
As with any artist profession, a portfolio is vital to winning a successful graphic design job. A good graphic design portfolio will include mostly digital examples of work, banners and fliers and logos designed with specific, popular types of design software. Many artists use Macs, but those that can prove experience with both Mac and PC programs will have a better chance at getting jobs with businesses, which still tend to be more PC oriented. Most employers will expect a graphic designer to have website experience and be able to provide links to sites they have worked on and sites that advertise their own work and services.
Artists who do not have any graphic design experience, and are looking for a reliable source of income in the world business, should start by attending the right classes. Most universities offer some type of graphic design program, and nearly all art degrees have at least one or two types of graphic design classes. These classes will prepare artists for the demands of graphic design jobs and the type of projects that they would be doing. Classes that teach scripting languages and business marketing skills are also important, and will help artists looking for the higher paying positions. Most of the projects that artists work on in graphic design classes can to creating the foundation for an impressive resume. Business and graphic design teachers also offer advice on local job opportunities and internships that can be a great start to a graphic design career.
This article was added on Sunday 13 June, 2010.
