Pathways to success for international graphic design graduates in the United States

Graphic Design

I chose the topic of the life of a successful graphic designer because I am an international graphic design student and am interested in pursuing the field of graphic design in an American company after I graduate.

I wanted to fully understand how to obtain a position, how to obtain the proper working visas and how to become successful once I was able to get a job in the field.

This study will take about two weeks as I research and gather information, contact people to interview and conduct the interviews.

I will research what a graphic designer does each day on the job, what types of skills and education are needed and how I can stay in the United States to work as a graphic designer once I have graduated from college.

How to live as a successful graphic designer after graduating a college

Introduction

The technology explosion of the past few decades have taken mankind to heights never before imagined. With the click of a mouse one can chat with friends around the world, manage a stock portfolio from home and plan and purchase family vacations. The computer explosion has opened an entirely new world for society. In addition to the personal perks of the world of computers there have been several explosive careers that have come from the existence of technology. The field of graphic design has virtually exploded in the past few decades. Today, a graphic designer can make a full time career using his or her love or art and computer knowledge. For one to become a successful graphic designer one needs to understand the field, the work available, the education needed and the prospects. For an international student, such as myself it is also important to understand how to maneuver the legal paperwork to obtain the right to work in the United States. A career in graphic design will allow me to use my artistic ability in a very tangible way to benefit those I work for while at the same time satisfying my need for a creative outlet.

What does a Graphic Designer Do?

For one to understand the position and create a successful career as a graphic designer one needs to have an understanding of what a graphic designer does each day.

Basically a graphic designer uses his or her talents to create designs and concepts for clients. Using layout principles and knowledge the graphic designer artist puts together a layout design that is pleasing to the eye and contains all of the elements that the client has requested (Work Styles (http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-1024.00).

This is done using computer software that can generate new images as well as using programs that can pull images from databases created for the purpose of graphic design.

A graphic artist is also responsible at times for doing mark up, pasting, and assembly of final layouts for the printer.

This is especially true if the graphic artist works in a newspaper or magazine position (Work Styles (http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-1024.00).

Graphic design artists are sometimes called on to design and draw maps and charts that display the data the client needs displayed and this is done using various software packages as well.

Other duties of a graphic designer can include:

Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.

Use computer software to generate new images.

Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed.

Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.

Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Internet websites.

Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.

Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes (Work Styles (http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-1024.00)."

The knowledge required for a successful career in graphic design includes a working knowledge of computers and software. While many people know how to turn a computer on and use a word processing program, the graphic designer must understand many software programs and have an above average ability to use those programs (Work Styles (http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-1024.00).

In addition the knowledge and understanding of the English language is important if the graphic artist wishes to work in the United States as most clients will be English speaking as will most of the customers that will be targeted by the client. In addition a strong working knowledge of Spanish can assist in the success of a United States-based graphic designer as well.

Understanding the workings of media production is also a necessary skill in the field of graphic design.

While graphic design work primarily consists of designing layouts it is important to understand the basics of marketing and advertising as well so that the design will entice the viewer to buy, purchase, or agree with what has been printed (Work Styles (http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-1024.00).

In addition, the technical skills required to become a successful graphic designer it is important that the graphic designer have an understanding of fine arts so that the basics of dance, works of music, dance and visual arts can be used in the layout process.

A day in the life of a graphic designer has many tasks and a variety of duties depending on what type of company or client that the designer is working with, however, there are several common duties that a graphic designer must perform regardless of the venue.

Each day is filled with detail oriented duties as well as the interfacing with other people whether those people are clients or co-workers.

Because the average wage for a graphic designer in the United States is approximately $40,000 annually it is important that designer be responsible, able and dedicated to his or her position (Work Styles (http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-1024.00).

The projected growth in the U.S. For graphic design is 10-20% annually with an annual projected need of 65,000 employees (Work Styles (http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-1024.00).

Day in the Life of a Graphic Designer

The daily life of a graphic designer includes visual problem solving by using text and artistic elements available through software computer programs.

The desire is to create something that is visually pleasing to the eye so that it gets the attention of the viewer or customer (but What is Graphic Design? (http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design.htm).

In addition to creating a visually pleasing work one has to be sure that it works well together.

How effective is a great looking restaurant menu if you can't for the life of you find beverages, or it's hard to tell which price is for what (but What is Graphic Design? (http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design.htm)?"

Graphic design is the process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication (but What is Graphic Design? (http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design.htm)."

On any given day a graphic designer may be asked to design, magazine layouts, CD covers, brochures, advertisements, book layout, internet work including banners and flash animation, PowerPoint presentations or other elements of design (but What is Graphic Design? (http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design.htm).

The day of a graphic designer can vary depending on what type of company he or she works for or if the designer is a freelance worker.

Each day does require dependability, responsibility, artistic ability, organization and the ability to communicate with others on a professional level.

Whether one has one's own business or works with other clients, one has to have the education and background to become successful. Education is usually a degree in graphic design or a certificate from a vocational education institute while the degree is obtained from a four-year or two-year college.

Rachel has her own design business, after working full time and then freelancing - not an unusual career path for designers. She had a background in photography and printmaking, but realized that graphic design made better financial sense, and she preferred doing something useful. "Doing visual arts, I became really self-absorbed and had nothing to do with the outside world. I thought, 'I can't justify this! I want to apply this to something people can use.'" After a two-year Advanced Diploma in Electronic Design and Interactive Media, her multimedia skills were suddenly in demand (Graphic Designer (http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=257&languageId=1&contentId)." typical day in the life of a successful graphic designer includes tight deadlines, long hours and churning stuff out but when all is said and done there is a satisfaction of a job well done and the knowledge of a job well done.

3. What does someone engaged in this career do?

Sara: I have a free lifestyle because I work from home. As long as I meet my deadlines nobody cares when I do the work so I can shop when I want, do laundry when I want and work when I want. I don't have benefits though so that is a cost factor to consider.

Charles: I generally work from 8 a.m. To about 6 p.m. Monday through Friday except on deadline night and then I stay late.

What is a typical day for them like?

Sara: A typical day starts with coffee, then I look over what I need to do that day and decide whether to work in the morning and afternoon or run my errands first and then do the work.

Charles: A typical day for me starts at the office with coffee, and then going to the desk and not leaving for nine hours. People come in to talk to me about design and we collaborate like that.

How did you get started?

Sara: My brother is a graphic designer and I followed him.

Charles: I started out as a painter and a sculptor but then my wife got pregnant and we needed a steady income with health insurance.