skills / personal qualities needed
- Creativity
- Strong visual sense
- Originality
- Strong computer skills
- Confidence to present and explain ideas
- Ability to grasp client needs and consider practical solutions
- Attention to detail
- Be able to balance work on several projects at a time
- Good team working skills
- Flexibility
- Awareness of competition
- Matter-of-fact attitude when ideas or designs are rejected
Work and Salary
- Usually start with rough sketches and work from there. Designers may use different media, depending on the effect they want.
- Graphic designers can either work for a company or be a freelance designer; there are pros and cons for both.
- Designers may work directly with their client, even traveling to where the client is.
- They may work with colleagues for some projects.
- Graphic designers usually work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Extra hours are absolutely possible, especially if there is a deadline coming up.
- The starting salary of a graphic designer is around $18,000 annually. After you gain more experience, it can raise to around $44,000 annually. Senior designers can make up to $107,000 annually.
Requirements
- Should at least have a bachelor's degree in a related major.
- It's a good idea to make a portfolio of your best works. Some graphic designers do this by making a website to showcase their art.
- Should know how to work creative programs such as Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Should try to get some training or internships while in college or starting in high school if you can. For some more info on training and internships, click the link below
Job Outlook
The demand for graphic design is increasing at 7% rate since 2012. Since the world is going towards a more graphic era, graphic design is expected to keep increasing. It shows no signs in decreasing so it would be a great job to have if you love it.