Are you in a dilemma about whether you should pursue a degree in Graphic Design or not? Are you getting constant thoughts such as what are the career options after getting a degree in graphic design? Then you have landed in the right place. Know what you can do with a Graphic Design degree in detail.
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Table Of Contents-
1. What exactly does a Graphic Design degree entail?
2. What does a Graphic Design programme teach you?
3. 10 Popular Graphic design career opportunities
4. Begin your career as a graphic designer
What exactly does a Graphic Design degree entail?
You could believe there is just one option—become a graphic designer—but the possibilities are far more diverse. "One of the most appealing parts of studying Graphic Design is the vast range of professions available after graduation," says Amy Lewin, a graphic designer and art director. "I never intended to specialise too much in my work." I enjoy changing up my approach and working on a variety of projects since I crave variety in design."
Graphic design education provides transferable abilities that can be applied to a wide range of creative industries. Take a moment to learn more about what Graphic Design majors learn, and you'll understand what we're talking about.
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What does a Graphic Design programme teach you?
Some of the key learning objectives of Rasmussen University's Graphic Design degree are motion graphics, animation, design theory, project management, and portfolio creation. Business of Digital Media, Interactive Publishing, and Digital Effects are just a few of the courses that offer a broad basis of knowledge that may be applied to a variety of business and marketing disciplines. Advanced Typography and Advanced 3D Modeling are two examples of specialist courses that give industry-specific skills. Students should graduate from these programmes with technical design skills, as well as project management and general business understanding.
"Back in design school, I recall learning a little [Adobe] Flash to widen my skill set," says Gabe Ruane, co-founder of Turn Agency. "I also picked up some basic animation abilities and found myself more marketable when it came time to look for my first job because I had a little more than the standard Graphic Design education." According to Ruane, the digital parts of Graphic Design education are crucial.
Ruane explains, "Everything happens on screens." "I'd like to believe that most Graphic Design programmes these days devote a significant amount of time and work to the digital aspect of design." While being a generalist in this sense can be extremely useful in a variety of fields, students who wish to specialise can also benefit from their enthusiasm.
"Go for it if you envision yourself loving a niche area of design such as branding, package design, environmental design, UI/UX, web design, textiles, illustration, or photography, for example." According to Lewin. She tells pupils to go after what they really want to do at work. For example, it took Lewin some time and experience to understand she didn't care about UI/UX or web design and didn't need to learn extra coding abilities.
If you don't see yourself focusing in one field, Lewin recommends taking on a variety of graphic design tasks to gain experience and learn more about what you like and don't want to do. The industry is diverse enough to provide you with numerous options.
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10 Popular graphic design career opportunities
But what are some of those choices specifically? We used real-time job analysis software to examine over 30,000 job postings seeking graduates of Graphic Design programs from the past year.* This is definitely not a comprehensive list of what you can do with a Graphic Design degree—only a representation of graphic design degree jobs out there.
1. Graphic designer
Graphic designers develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, websites and more. This job title can cover a huge range of duties in a huge range of industries.
So what does that look like in practice? Ruane worked as a graphic designer at a technology magazine, creating magazine layouts, some advertising, print production and a bit of web design.
Lewin worked as a senior graphic designer at a video game publishing company, designing and art directing video game titles.
“I worked on everything from designing the campaign art used on packaging to concepting and art directing the ‘Just Dance 2019’ commercial.”
2. Creative director
Creative directors determine the creative vision of a project. They make sure the overall aesthetic and cohesive look stays on track by leading their team through the steps to create something, whether that is a tangible product like a video game, film, magazine or something more abstract like an advertising campaign or brand identity.
The job involves managing skills, leadership and often budgeting and time management abilities as well as creative vision.
When Ruane worked as an associate creative director at a digital ad agency, his work involved concepting with a copywriter partner, pitching and presenting ideas and leading a team of designers and art directors while still taking part in the visual design.
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3. User experience (UX) designer
UX Designers work to make products, processes and services seamless, enjoyable and intuitive for users. They think about how the product feels, how users will use it. They ensure the product flows from one step to the next. UX designers might run user tests, refining any bumps or confusions in the process. This career involves tons of out-of-the-box thinking, creative intuition and a natural appreciation for smooth design. This design discipline is often found in web design, where organizations are placing an increased emphasis on ensuring their website designs are both visually appealing and simple to use.
While user experience design has been around for much longer, Ruane notes that the role of UX designer really started to grow in popularity around ten years ago.
When that happened, many of his fellow graphic design classmates transitioned into UX careers.
This is an excellent role for technology-savvy designers as it often requires a blend of design and web technology skills.
4. User interface (UI) designer
UI Design is often considered a subset of UX design and has similar overall goals. User interface designers focus on how the product is laid out. They design each screen and each page, ensuring that the layout visually works with the overall path a UX designer has charted.
UI designers design each screen or page a user interacts with, ensuring that the UI visually communicates the path a UX designer charts.
They might decide where content should go on an analytics dashboard or what tools make the most sense for the user navigating a page.
They also pay close attention to style coherence and ensure the product remains consistent.
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5. Production artist
Production artists take over the hands-on steps of production—whether that’s in graphics, film, art or other formats. They upload and ensure the accuracy of design files throughout the last stages of development. The job is equal parts design and computer applications skill.
Production artists might suggest improvements to the work they are finishing as well as making final touches like scaling, cropping, retouching and repositioning.
“If you start as a junior designer at an agency, or as a production artist, you’ll get to work alongside a dozen people in strategy, technology, development, animation, data, UX, analytics and more,” Ruane says.
He emphasizes that positions like this can really help you get exposure to the variety of jobs out there.
You might find that you really enjoy a particular part of the process.
“Or if you stick with pure visual design, you'll be a stronger designer for having worked alongside these related specialists.”
6. Product developer
Product developers ideate, lead and manage the creation of products. They can work on so many different things that their job duties will vary widely, but general tasks include performing industry research, creating illustrations, presenting the product to employers or stakeholders and contributing to the development process.
This role might go hand in hand with graphic design.
Damien Cunningham is a senior graphic designer and product developer at Find me a gift.
“It’s my favorite because the role is varied, allowing me to work across various departments and on several different tasks,” Cunningham says.
“I could be creating digital marketing material one day and then producing packaging for print or designing a new product another.”
7. Art director
Art directors take charge of the visual style and content in magazines, newspapers, product packaging and movie and television productions. They create design and direct other artists to develop each contributing piece. They work closely with their employers or clients to cast an artistic vision that meets objectives, the available budget and desired impact.
Ruane worked as an art director at a few digital advertising agencies doing visual design for websites and online advertising campaigns. This role was a highlight in his career path.
“It was so exciting and inspiring at the time,” Ruane says.
“Big brands, high-profile work, lots of energy and, as it turned out, a great networking frenzy that has led to relationships that I now rely on for my own agency business.”
8. Marketing specialist
Marketing specialists collect and analyze data on target customers, initiate marketing campaigns, measure effectiveness of marketing attempts and create strategies to promote their company and its goods or services.
As you’ve probably noticed, many of these graphic design careers fall under the larger umbrella of marketing. Cunningham says more graphic designers should consider job titles in the marketing category with the unique expertise they offer.
“The role tends to require someone that is multi-skilled, that can work across many areas of design and someone that will push themselves and learn new skills,” Cunningham says.
“A marketing career allows designers to apply their skills to a huge assortment of tasks like digital and print graphics, branding and social media.
This keeps things exciting and also offers many options for future careers.”
9. Multimedia artist or animator
Multimedia artists and animators design complex graphics and animation using computer animation or modeling programs.
They think about story development, visual impact and platforms to create media content that will meet their employer’s objectives.
More brands and organizations are looking to increase their online video presence—and that’s been a boon for graphic designers with animation and motion graphics skills.
10. Freelancer
While it’s not a unique design job in its own right, but most of the job titles mentioned above can be performed as a freelancer. Designers who have some experience on their resume, a stunning portfolio of work or expertise in niche areas of design, marketing and graphics could build a career finding freelance projects.
But freelancing is also excellent as a side-gig that can bring in some extra cash—and boost your expertise.
Ruane says he worked on side projects with small clients throughout his career on a huge range of project types.
“There’s lots of ‘figure-it-out-as-you-go’ in freelancing, and the continuing education is hugely beneficial,” Ruane says.
Begin your career as a graphic designer-
Graphic design is so adaptable that it can take you practically anywhere if you let your imagination and passion for the work guide you.
"I never would have anticipated my path would present me with so many possibilities as an undergrad," Lewin says.
"I've worked on video game packaging designs, small business branding projects, pharmaceutical print collateral, online and retail marketing advertising, coordinated photoshoots, and art directed TV commercials."
The most important piece of advise Lewin has for budding designers is to never settle in a position where you are unhappy.
There's a lot more out there, so keep trying and looking for what motivates you!
