Graphic+Designer


 * **Category** || **Explanation** || **EXTRA REQUIRMENT** ||
 * Tasks || // An average day for a graphic designer includes working on designs, presenting proposals to clients, meeting with prospective clients, and interacting with programmers. // ||  ||
 * Tools & Technology || //Most graphic designers use computers, Photoshop (as well as other design programs), graphics tablets (such as Bamboo or Cintiq). They interact with accountants, programmers, and clients.// ||  ||
 * Knowledge || //It is helpful for prospective graphic designers to take art classes in high school. In college, they should take// // basic courses in art, typography, principles of design; it is also useful to take liberal arts classes such as marketing. // ||  ||
 * Skills / Abilities || Some qualities that make a good graphic designer include: // writing, speaking, critical thinking, reading comprehension, active learning, originality, visualization, creativity, and written comprehension. // ||  ||
 * Work Context || //If they are a freelance graphic designer, they would work from home. If they were working for a design firm, some local examples include Modular Media, Sage Island, and Signal Design.// || media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=202173969011375706410.0004a37d6271637175f48&ll=34.999538,-78.425757&spn=23.875,57.630033&output=embed" width="339" height="280" ||
 * Education || //To succeed as a graphic designer, it is a good idea to get a Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design. Training is not necessary, but interning can be helpful for budding designers.// ||  ||
 * Related Occupations || //Some other fields that are related to graphic design are illustration, photography, web design, art directors, fine artists, commercial designers, makeup artists, fashion designers, exhibit designers, ad nauseum.// ||  ||
 * Wages & Employment || //In North Carolina, the average salary for a graphic designer is// //$39,100; nationally, it’s $43,200.// || [[image:Graphic_Design_Salary_Graph.jpg width="300" height="228"]] ||
 * Additional Information || Graphic Designers frequently collaborate with web developers in order to create websites and apps. ||  ||

media type="youtube" key="GvIUIcFq0QQ" height="349" width="425" This video shows graphic designer Jeremiah Desmarais discussing his career. He accurately sums up graphic design in an amusing (albiet very 90's) way.

//Cool Careers: Graphic Designer//. Perf. Jeremiah Desmarais, Kipp Lightburn, Paula Haffner.//Youtube//. 12 Jan. 2009. Web. 24 May 2011. .

"Graphic Design Is Art | Flickr - Photo Sharing!" //Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing//. Web. 01 June 2011. .

[tab] After a lot of thought, I’ve decided that graphic design is not the career for me. I’ve discovered that I’m more interested in drawing rather than layouts and typography. While I’ll always be fascinated by graphic design (and repulsed by poor examples), it’s something that I believe I’d tire of quickly. As a graphic designer, your client can control what the final product looks like. They can reject your favorite ideas, change color schemes, and make ridiculously unreasonable requests of you. Therefore, the design is not really your own- and it never is. Whereas a job as a fine artist, animator, or illustrator lets you have more artistic freedom over your project. I was very disappointed when I noticed there were no tablets in the office. I sketch and draw for fun, but I don’t create web layouts in my spare time. I have always loved to draw. When I was younger, it was only a diversion, a hobby. When I realized that thousands of people draw and create for a living, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t imagine anything better. There is a huge difference between drawing and choosing a color scheme for a cupcake company’s favicon. In the interview, John says some of the traits needed for a successful career in graphic design include patience, good communication skills, and the ability to work with others. I am severely lacking in all three categories: I become incredibly impatient quickly; I get frustrated with people easily; and I often opt to work alone rather than with a group (I feel like others slow me down).

[tab] Graphic design is likely best suited for someone unlike myself: one must be adaptable to their environment, due to how fast technology is developing; graphic designers fifty years ago would probably have never dreamed they’d be making games like Angry Birds for bright, portable screens. Who knows what kind of technological strides will be made in the next ten years alone? Due to the incredibly competitive design industry these days, one must be creative, willing to think outside of the box, and hard working. Clients want their material to be memorable and eye-catching, and stale images and styles which have been used over and over will not be accepted. Therefore, a good graphic designer must possess originality and creativity.