Graphic Design Career Research Paper

Before finally deciding on my career path, I had a very hard time trying to choose which path I wanted to take. After considering what I truly enjoy doing and what skills I possess, I have decided that I wanted to become a graphic designer. I want to be a graphic designer, because I feel that I would have a chance to use all of the skills I possess and be happy while doing it. In order to become a graphic designer, there are certain educational requirements that must be met. There are also specific job requirements that I must accomplish. Although there are many requirements, the personal benefits I gain will make up for all of the hard work in the end.

To receive the proper education required to become a graphic designer, I must obtain a

certain degree and complete specific programs and courses. For example, in order to be accepted into the program in which I can gain the necessary degree, there are certain requirements that must be met. Before I am able to enter the program, I must complete a specific number of hours in art and design courses. Specifically, classes such as Art 101, Art 103, and Art 151 must be completed. In these classes, I must maintain at least a 3.30 grade point average in order to even be considered for the program. In addition, a portfolio review is also a major aspect of the admission process; my personal portfolio must be reviewed by the full faculty at the college. Because every university is different, though, requirements may vary slightly. I may have to complete additional classes or maintain a higher grade point average depending on how competitive the program within the university is.
After being accepted into the program, I can begin seriously working towards the Bachelor’s degree I need, a Bachelor of Fine Arts. This degree requires a minimum of one-hundred and twenty hours of coursework. These hours are broken down into the required hours for each subject; specifically, Art Core, Graphic Design, Required Design and Professional, Studio, Art History, and General Curriculum. Each subject requires a specific number of hours in certain classes; for example, Art Core requires a total of eighteen hours divided between six different classes. Along with Art Core, forty-one hours of Graphic Design courses must be completed in a specific order, with courses such as a portfolio review and a graphic design practicum. The next six hours are divided into two classes in the required Design and Professional course. The next eighteen hours must be spent in a Studio course; in addition, three hours in an Art History course are required. Finally, thirty-four to thirty-five hours must be spent in the General Curriculum course. General Curriculum includes classes such as English Composition, Quantitative Reasoning, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Foreign Language, and Communicating through Writing.
Although I would only need a Bachelor of Fine Art degree, I would be far more likely to be hired if I also studied in another area of focus.

I believe that since I want to go into the advertising side of graphic design, I should work towards a minor in Studio Art. Along with a major in Graphic Design, a minor in Studio Art falls under the Bachelor of Fine Art degree. The Studio Art program is for students planning on pursuing a career in visual arts; it is more of a professionally-oriented program. Certain core courses are required in order to be accepted into this program: Introduction to Studio Art I, Introduction to Studio Art II, and Art History. Above all, acceptance into this program depends mainly on grade point average and seriousness of purpose. For instance, if I had an excessive amount of absences, I would not be admitted to the program. Therefore, in order to receive this minor in Studio Art, I must remain focused and serious about my future career in graphic

design.
In order to have a career in graphic design, specific job requirements must be met. First, I must possess specific skills necessary to complete the tasks of a graphic designer. In particular, strong communication skills are extremely important in the graphic design field. I must be able to clearly communicate with others, such as business owners, corporate employees, and other graphic designers; my future career requires me to be able to work with these people and their ideas to create new pieces of work. In addition, business and sales skills are also incredibly important in the field of graphic design. On the advertising side of graphic design, these are vital; I must be able to entice consumers to buy from the company or business I work for, or else I will lose my job. Although these skills are very important, the most important skills needed are design and technical skills. I must be aware of how to create many different types of projects. In fact, proper knowledge of certain design programs is the biggest part of the job itself.
Along with the necessary skills, there are also certain abilities that are required. I must have artistic ability; this is probably the most important job requirement. If I did not have any artistic ability, I could not have a career as a graphic designer. In this field of work, I must be able to draw and create pieces of artwork that catch a consumer’s eye. Without artistic ability, these pieces of work would not be the quality that a company is looking for; therefore, I would not be hired. In addition to artistic ability, the ability to manage time properly is vital in the graphic design field. When working for a company, there are always strict deadlines for projects to be completed by. If I am not able to meet these deadlines, I could lose my job. I have to be able to judge how long it will take me to complete a project and whether I can complete said project in the amount of time I am allowed. Both of these abilities have a great impact on a company’s decision on whether to hire me or not, so, in order to maintain a good job, I must possess them.
The next job requirement is a creative portfolio that contains my personal work and accomplishments. It is extremely important that this portfolio is attractive, professional, and easily accessible. My portfolio will demonstrate not only my design skills, but also the way I think and the way I communicate my thoughts and opinions. Furthermore, it is necessary that I fill my portfolio with my artwork based on the job I am applying for; if I want a certain job, then my portfolio must showcase that I possess the skills necessary for that job. I should also keep my portfolio up-to-date with recent projects and artwork. Keeping my portfolio current will ensure that an employer will be able to see what my current skills and abilities are. Also, each piece of work I put in my portfolio must have context behind it, so that employers can properly judge the piece. If no context is provided, a potential employer will not be able to see why I created that piece. He or she will not be able to see my motives, my opinions, or my reasons for creating the pieces of work included in my portfolio.
Although it takes many steps in order to become a graphic designer, the personal benefits I will gain from my career will far outweigh all of the work that I put forth.

For example, with this job, I can make enough money to support myself in the future. In fact, the starting salary for graphic designers is around a mid-range salary; it is about forty-five thousand dollars per year. This will provide me enough money to obtain everything I need to survive on my own. I will make enough to pay rent or a mortgage, buy food, buy clothes, and provide myself with all necessary utilities in order to live comfortably. This salary can also increase with promotions; therefore, the higher the promotion I receive, the higher my salary will be. My salary can range anywhere from forty-five thousand to eighty thousand dollars per year, depending on location and title. Although this is the median salary for graphic designers, there is always opportunity to make more per

year.
Another benefit I could have from this career is the opportunity to work from home. This will be very beneficial to me; first, it will provide me with a less stressful environment to work in. In my own home, there will be a quieter environment which means fewer distractions; therefore, I will be more productive. Since this will make me more productive, I will be able to impress employers and possibly be promoted to a higher title. In addition, the opportunity to work from home will provide me the chance to spend more time with my family. If I do decide to have a family later in life, working from home will maximize the amount of time I have with it. This will aid me in having a very strong relationship with my future family, and it will bring me a great amount of happiness.
In conclusion, although there are many requirements necessary in order to become a graphic designer, it is the career path I want to follow. Education requirements, such as a degree, are required before I can begin my path to a career in graphic design. Along with the proper education, certain skills and abilities are necessary in order to be hired. Despite the amount of hard work becoming a graphic designer takes, the benefits I will gain will be worth it. I believe that, after all of the work, I will be able to see that my career choice will, in fact, be the right decision. I think that, as a graphic designer, all of my personal skills will be put to use; my creativity will be able to shine through, and I will truly enjoy my career.