What is a Graphic Designer?
Graphic designers are experts in visual media. They communicate ideas and concepts through text, images, brochures, websites and other forms of media. The role of a graphic designer is to use technology and art to convey a concept or message to the reader. Graphic designers express their creative talents through a wide range of modern media formats.
A Day in the Life of a Graphic Designer
Working as a graphic designer can be a fun and constantly changing role that allows you to be creative and try new things. Each day will look different depending on your specific role and objectives for current projects.
On any given day as a graphic designer you may find yourself:
- designing a brochure for print
- creating a new company logo
- redesigning the layout of a website
- creating ads for social media
Graphic designers typically work a regular 9 to 5, Monday to Friday schedule. However, with the growing prevalence of remote work, some graphic designers are able to create their own schedules as long as they are completing their projects on time.
Steps to Becoming a Graphic Designer
1. Earn a Degree
The best way to start a graphic design career is to earn a degree in a relevant field. Palm Beach Atlantic University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design that can help you gain the necessary skills to succeed in graphic design. Many graphic design jobs will require at least a bachelor’s degree.
2. Gain Experience
One of the most important steps to landing your dream graphic design job is to gain experience. Whether this is through an internship, volunteering, or working in an entry-level role, getting experience in the field can help you develop your skills and practice your craft.
3. Research Types of Graphic Design
Graphic design is a broad field that contains many different specializations and professional roles. Finding career success involves both learning foundational skills and identifying your niche. Here are some types of graphic design roles to explore:
- Lettering & type designer
- Brand identity designer
- Graphic illustrator
- Data visualization & infographic designer
- Print & publication designer
- Packaging designer
- Web designer
- User interface designer
4. Practice your Design Skills
The best graphic designers have a personal passion for design and creative pursuits. Develop your skills by completing personal projects and learning new software in your spare time. Graphic designers will benefit from expanding their skillset to include adjacent areas such as art, computer science and communication.
5. Create a Portfolio to Showcase Your Work
Whether you’re looking for steady employment or trying to build a client base as a freelancer, a strong portfolio is a key to professional success. A portfolio allows graphic designers to display their most successful projects and give potential employers or clients a taste of their talents.
6. Network & Apply
Knowing people in the field can help you tremendously with your job search. Try attending local networking events and reaching out to recruiters to introduce yourself. Take advantage of PBA’s Career Development department to find connections in your area of interest.
Types of Graphic Design Roles
One of the benefits of becoming a graphic designer is the career flexibility it affords. Graduates of graphic design programs can choose a form of employment that fits their professional goals and schedule preference.
In-House Graphic Designer
In-house graphic designers work for a single company and cover all graphic design related needs. Working as an in-house expert brings career stability and familiarity. Depending on the size of the company, in-house graphic designers may work alone or as part of a team.
Freelance Graphic Designer
Freelance graphic designers build a portfolio and use their reputation to find short-term projects. Freelance work is a good fit for self-motivated individuals who enjoy being their own boss. Freelancing also allows graphic designers to work when and where they like.
Agency Graphic Designer
Working for a graphic design agency blends some of the benefits of freelance and in-house roles. Graphic design agencies will typically secure a range of different clients which will then be assigned to graphic designers employed by the agency. Agency work allows graphic designers to work on a range of different projects while maintaining steady income.
What do you Learn as a Graphic Design Major?
Some of the core classes you’ll take as a graphic design major include:
- Digital Graphics
- Art History
- Graphic Design
- Website Design
- Typography
- Digital Photography
- Multimedia
Building on the foundation of core art courses, you can develop specializations through elective courses in topics like drawing, painting, stained glass, illustration and more.
Start your career as a Graphic Designer today!
Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design is a great step toward fulfilling your dream of becoming a Graphic Designer. Start your application and begin your academy journey today!