Course Summary

Where can I go from here?

In you are interested in learning more about graphic design, you can go onto take additional COM courses. Check with your teacher about which ones are offered at your school.

Career Connections:

Looking for a Great Career? Look No Further!

The most successful graphic designers pair their creative ability with technical knowledge and a professional level of communication. Because about 25 percent of graphic designers are self-employed, business skills as well as creativity are important.

A Day in the Life of a Graphic Designer
The individual duties of graphic designers depend highly on their job descriptions. For those who are self-employed, the job can change on a week-by-week basis, with a number of projects requiring daily attention one week, and a lack of work the next. Wage-and-salary graphic designers generally have a more stable work week, although deadlines and other requirements can lead to a work week that exceeds 40 hours.

Graphic Designer Training and Education
Bachelor's or associate's degrees are popular requirements for many graphic design jobs. Typical coursework for graphic designers includes typography, digital design, drawing, interactive design, and graphic form. Students can also receive targeted education in design programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Quark. Completing design projects in school helps graphic designers build their portfolios, the body of work they show to prospective employers and clients.

Continuing education is also a factor for graphic designers, as increasingly sophisticated technology makes certain programs and practices obsolete. Certificate and coursework programs allow designers to take one-off courses and short-form training classes on a short-term basis.

To learn more about career options in graphic design visit the http://www.gdc.net/education website