Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Design

Graphic artists or graphic designers are responsible for helping brands and businesses communicate visually with their customers and the general public. These individuals are usually highly creative with a classical understanding of visual media, composition and typography learned in art school or design programs. Nearly every brand in the world creates their own logo and visual identity to attach to their brand. The world of digital media is very competitive and receiving proper graphic design training is essential to help you bring your imagination and creativity to life for a living. Here is some insight into the graphic design industry and the importance of graphic design training.

Where Graphic Designers Work
Graphic Designers can work in many different professional environments. Some popular areas include: Advertising companies, design firms and publishing houses. Graphic designers also can be self employed and freelance for many different companies in different industries (Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm). Wherever graphic designers decide to work they will be required to work under deadlines and be effective in incorporating others’ ideas into their work. Besides being a great artist, this requires the ability to listen and incorporate the ideas of your employer.

Graphic Design Training
Even very talented artists need to familiarize themselves with the tools used to create graphic designs. Graphic design training is designed to help artists learn the technical skills they need to pursue a career in visual design. Graphic design training will also help you build and create a professional portfolio that employers review when considering you for design positions. Developing skills in business and interpersonal communication can also be a strong asset to have in the design field. Graphic design programs are a great way to help prepare you with these skills that are so important to be successful in the field.

Graphic Design is Growing
According to the Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics, graphic designers held about 261,000 jobs in the nation in 2006 (Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm#emply). Most of these designers worked in specialized design services; advertising and related services; printing or publishing.

Employment of graphic designers is expected to grow 10 percent for all occupations from 2006 2016 (Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm#outlook). The growth of internet advertising by advertising companies and the increased print and digital media placements, have helped graphic design grow to an in demand field. While graphic design positions are growing throughout the nation, the field is highly competitive. Due to the amount of talented designers out there, it is essential for those interested in beginning a career in graphic design to seek graphic design training. Understanding how to effectively use design software and build a portfolio that demonstrates your artistic ability will be imperative to starting your career. Many accomplished designers often seek employment as art and design consultants, teachers, and professors.

If you are interested in pursuing opportunities as a graphic designer and learning more about how graphic design training is helping emerging professionals gain the skill and experience they need to pursue a career in graphic design, visit SBI-Melville here. Our Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design program can help develop your talent as an artist and assist you in developing a portfolio to present to possible employers.

SBI-Melville is close to many locations:
Lindenhurst, NY - approximately 8.1 miles
Bay Shore, NY - approximately 15.3 miles
Hempstead, NY - approximately 15.2 miles

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Graphic Designers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm (visited January 09, 2009).