Job profile

Graphic designers, analyze, plan and develop visual interphase to avoid communication problems. They research and develop the most attractive and simple but efficient way to put across the message in an electronic, film media or print media using methods like color, layout techniques, animation and photography. They develop promotional displays, marketing brochures and vibrant logos. They also help in deciding the layout for newspaper, magazine, journals etc.  So, as an overview the graphic designer’s work involves a lot of sub fields mainly in marketing and media. Hence, these people need to be highly imaginative and creative.

Qualification for freelance graphic designing

A bachelor’s degree or a combined degree in graphic design is habitually required for this job. One also requires creativity, problem solving capabilities and communication. Moreover, the person needs to be comfortable with computer graphics and other designing soft-wares. A good resume is often a deciding factor to get a job in this field. As the consumer tastes keep changing every now and then and the designer should have new ideas and should be open to changes and should quickly adapt to the changing conditions. For freelance designers a good business sense and sales ability are a must.

Available jobs

Recruitment of graphic designers will be growing by 10%, about as good as the average for all other jobs or occupations from 2006-2016. The demand for designers will continue to increase in fields like advertising, publishing, computer designing etc. Most of this increase is expected due to the expansion of the entertainment industry. Graphic designers who have experience in animation and web-site designing will be preferred as the demand of design projects for video-games, interactive media, cell phones, computer-games, personal digital helpers, and many other applications will increase. Designers will also be in demand for advertising firms, promotional firms and web marketing for many new products and services. In the last few years the business of outsourcing of basic layout and design work to other designing firms overseas is on a rise. Slowly but surely the graphic designing industry is growing and is expected to grow even more rapidly in the coming few years.

Employment

Most of the graphic designers work in specialized fields like: printing, advertising, book, journals, or more. A few of them also work for engineering services or for scientific, management, or technical consulting firms. Around 25% of graphic designers are self-employed. Many do freelance work full-time or even part-time holding a permanent salaried job. But it is strongly suggested that you take a few years experience in this field before you start freelancing.

Earnings

Average annual earnings of a salaried graphic designer are around $39,900. If you are amongst the top 10 then you may also earn something about $69,730 annually. Solo graphic designers who usually freelance or work on a project basis or under contracts earn around $60,000 annually. Graphic designers having ownership of a firm or who have partnership interest earn around $113,000 annually.

 Related occupation

Graphic designers can work in art and design related works like artist, industrial or commercial designers, floral designers and also as industrial or interior designers. Other occupations needing this skill set are software engineers, desktop publishers and drafters. Even fields like design, copy of publication and layout have openings in marketing, advertising, promotions, sales-managers, public relations, writers or editors, photographers, prepress technicians or workers.