Becoming a Graphic Designer

Answer 1

A career as a graphic designer offers a lot of freedom and creativity and has a financially lucrative outcome in our increasingly media-based culture. Skills as a graphic artist can be implemented in a wide range of fields, but they are most frequently implemented in marketing and advertising sectors for small businesses and major corporations. Ironically, for all of the marketing that graphic designers perform for others, they are often responsible for marketing their own skills, working as freelancers on a constant quest to find new work while continuing to please their returning clients.

A major university or art institution may train graphic designers, or the graphic designers may have developed their talents individually through experimenting with design software and online tutorials. Regardless of education, it is more important for graphic designers to continue to hone their skills and to demonstrate their competence in a broad range of media. From shop logos, promotional posters, business cards, web banners, and more, the possibilities for creativity are almost limitless for graphic designers. The quality of work and the reputation of the graphic artist usually determine the fees for the work performed. A freelance graphic designer can either charge flat rates for their work or negotiate a contract with the customer after a request for work has been solicited. Graphic designers must work for their customers’ satisfaction; therefore, the work is not finished until the customer is satisfied with the final product. Despite the demands of the job, freelance graphic designers can earn in excess of $50,000 a year if they establish a regular client base.

Graphic designers must establish a portfolio containing samples of their best work. The portfolio should preferably be web-based, as it is often easiest to anchor self-marketing on the web. Graphic designers must often establish their own list of clients by contacting potential customers and marketing their skills either via phone, on the web, or in person. In addition to marketing skills, graphic designers must have a strong range of desktop publishing skills. Most graphic designers are well versed in Adobe Design Suite and have the ability to carefully edit graphics and images in Photoshop as well as spatially arrange images and text in either Adobe Illustrator.

Some graphic designers may find it helpful to continue to develop digital publishing skills in website design as well as in flash animation. The combination of refined skills in each of the three aforementioned areas will almost guarantee a steady flow of work and higher income.