MASS COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
RADIO - TV/VIDEO
GRAPHIC DESIGN
MUSIC
SPEECH
THEATRE
Employment opportunities
Many graphic artists work for advertising agencies, design firms, commercial art and reproduction firms, or printing and publishing firms. Other artists are employed by the motion picture and television industries, wholesale and retail trade establishments, and public relations firms. About one out of three artists are self-employed, as either freelance graphic designers who offer their services to advertising agencies, publishing firms, and other businesses, or as fine artists.
Job outlook
Careers in artistic occupations are generally perceived as exciting and glamorous, and competition for such positions may be keen. However, because so much design work is now done by computers, companies in all types of industries are increasingly generating graphic artwork in-house. So, opportunities will continue to be plentiful for talented individuals, especially those with strong interpersonal skills.
Earning potential
In Illinois, graphic designers’ wages range from $26,800 to $52,480/year, according to 2003 Illinois Department of Employment Security statistics. Nationally, graphic designers earned $36,680 as a median annual salary in 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Career advancement
Graphic designers may advance to assistant art director, art director, design director, and in some companies, creative director of an art or design department. Some may choose to work as a freelancer or specialize in a particular area. Others decide to open their own businesses.
Career choices with your degree:
• Graphic designer • Desktop publisher • Freelance designer • Illustrator • Layout artist
With experience and/or further education you may go on to:
• Animator • Account executive • Art director • Creative director • Photographer • Publications director • Website designer
Parkland College • 2400 West Bradley Avenue • Champaign, IL 61821 • 217/351-2200 • 800/346-8089
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