Graphic Design Jobs

Graphic design jobs run a wide gamut, as virtually every element of our culture requires design. Print ads, television commercials, web animations, and photographic displays are just a few of the fields that require an artistic eye and technical mastery, and the list is always growing. Landing that perfect design gig, however, isn't as simple as it seems, as the industry is crowded and potentially cutthroat.

Most of the well-paying jobs in the graphic design world are within competitive and sometimes corporate design companies. Getting in one of these firms isn't impossible, just difficult, requiring patience, luck, and a great portfolio. In most cases, a degree from an accredited design school or program is required, and even then, it may only help you get into a ground-level position.

Old or new, each discipline within the design world has its pros and cons. For instance, web design, a career that didn't exist only a few years ago, puts your work in front of thousands of people every day. However, due to the ever-changing nature of the Internet and the speed that technologies change, keeping up with the latest software may be daunting, requiring constant training.

"Layout artist" is a more traditional job, with opportunities in ad agencies, PR firms, newspapers and magazines. Although rooted in old-school techniques, which used to use rubber cement for cutting-and-pasting, a layout artist today requires knowledge of a wide range of specific software programs. While the strategies have remained constant, the tools have changed, and will continue to do so.