Working World

Being passionate about art, design  and computers is a common thread between graphic designers. “I chose this path because it just made sense,” said Camron Palm, a graduate of Westwood College’s web design program. “I love art and design…I  take the time to look at everything and wonder how it works, why they used certain colors, and how little details make a huge difference. Being creative and having that ability is such a joy; I would not trade it for the world.

“I think the most challenging part of being a web designer is coming up with a creative approach to display a client’s wants and needs with a way for search engine optimization,” he continued.

In the Classroom

Westwood College offers three degree programs related to this profession: a bachelor’s degree in visual communications, an associate degree in graphic design and multimedia, and a bachelor’s degree in web design and multimedia. Both bachelor’s degree programs are a three-year commitment, and the associate takes roughly a year and a half.

Otis College of Art and Design is another option for students in Southern California. It offers two three-year bachelor’s degree programs that deal with graphic design: one in digital media and one in communication arts.

Courses of study vary depending on the degree program, but expect to learn about design, graphic design, image editing, digital photography and digital illustration, color theory, print production, motion graphics, 3-D and 2-D animation, 3-D modeling, visual effects, concept art, video games and using tools such as Photoshop, After Effects and Final Cut. Search engine optimization, server scripting, information architecture, e-business strategies, interactive design and multimedia development may also be part of your training. And at both Westwood and Otis, classes that teach students about business practices are a must.
   
On the Job

A qualified graphic designer can find employment in a variety of job settings, from the traditional design studio to the in-house art department of large companies. Wherever there is a need for printed material, web design and video production, you’ll find a graphic designer. And, especially in Southern California, the opportunities to work in the entertainment industry are plentiful. Many designers start their own studio or moonlight as freelancers in addition to their corporate in-house gig.

“[Graphic designers] can be freelancers or work for a small to large web company,” said Harry Mott, chair of the digital media department at Otis. “Another job would be as an in-house web team for a company whose primary business is not web design. Everyone from Disney to Lockheed has a web presence. Often it is economical [for these companies] to have their own web department on site.”

Bob Peterson, design program director for Westwood College in Anaheim, said that graphic design jobs are everywhere. “No career is stable in a down economy, but I’ve always considered graphic design a recession-resilient industry because of the fact that they can do freelance work,” he said. “There is great potential for freelance work, especially as companies cut back labor; they will get their graphic needs on a project basis.”
   
A Typical Day

Graphic designers typically spend their days doing what they love, but it’s not always without long hours and some frustration. According to Mott, a typical day in the life of a designer in this field is, “Research, research, research. Hard work. Fun. Hard work. Frustration. Fun. Creative brainstorming. Learning more and, for some, teaching. Students need self-discipline, creativity, communications skills, the ability to delegate and follow through, a lack of arrogance, and the ability to be an ongoing lifelong learner.”

And the typical way to get that typical day? ”The career path for designers is that they will start out as a production artist, then graphic designer, art director and creative director,” said Peterson. “The talent, skills and personal drive will dictate how fast they move up the ladder.

“[A typical day] depends on what level the designer is,” he continued. “If it’s production, it is what it sounds like. Basically, the designer comes in to work and produces art based on what the art director assigns. If the designer is a ‘designer’ they will have more creative freedom. As an art director or creative director, they would be more involved with coming up with concepts and the branding of the project/company.”

Because graphic design involves computers and technology designers will need to keep up with the trends and new technology. Palm said, “I feel I have great preparation for the job market. The world of graphic design is an always-evolving field; you can never know everything. Mistakes and failures are just as important as finishing jobs and learning new skill sets.”

Graphic designers with experience and skills have an average salary of $50–60K per year, but that can be much higher by freelancing either full time or on the side.

“All I can say is, within a few years of graduating, my students are most often telling me about the house they are going to buy, and other such signs of success,” said Mott.   ­

Resources

All Graphic Design
Otis College of Art and Design
Westwood College

Katy Allgeyer is an artist and freelance writer. She is a columnist for Working World magazine and her features have appeared there and in Feng Shui Times, The Art of WellBeing, You & Me Magazine and others. Katy can be reached at katyallgeyer@mac.com.