<p>OP, here’s a pretty general want ad and well written, that I just plucked randomly. This is a job located in Chicago. This is the “type” of job a young graphic designer perhaps with only a decent college portfolio or an internship under the belt might apply for. Starting pay would most likely be high twenties to low thirties (at least in the midwest that is where it would be). </p>
<p>*With input from the Creative Director, and under direct supervision of the Art Director, the Junior Graphic Designer is responsible for the production and design of select print and web projects. Work involves limited decision making within the prescribed policies and procedures projects. Typically, the Junior Designer will be assigned accompanying pieces that are a family of work that has been previously concepted and designed by senior staff. The Junior Designer will also work on smaller jobs with short deadlines that may be templated.</p>
<p>Duties and Responsibilities:</p>
<ul>
<li>Design within the standards established by the visual identity system.</li>
<li>Willingness to take art direction from the Art Director and Senior Designers to successfully bring their projects to completion.</li>
<li>Ability to work quickly on smaller, short deadline projects that may already have a look and feel.</li>
<li>Possess web production skills and the ability to design or resize graphics for online messaging.</li>
<li>Posses strong photo retouching skills.</li>
<li>Work with production manager on all quoting to ensure budget is met and the most cost effective and quality solution is met.</li>
<li>Ensure all digital files are correctly built for printing.</li>
<li>Engage production technician and graphic technician as needed.</li>
<li>Organize and maintain completed digital files on server.</li>
<li>Perform related work as assigned.</li>
</ul>
<p>Requirements:
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in graphic design. They must also be proficient in CS4: InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Knowledge of Dreamweaver and CSS preferred. One to two to year’s progressive experience in graphic and web design and production is required.*</p>
<p>There may be slightly differing software requirements depending on the individual company, they have listed the traditional ones these days. Cs4 is the shorthand for the Adobe suite (perhaps they want Flash) , and CSS relates to web design. IinDesign has pretty much replaced Quark but many designers started with Quark and have picked up InDesign.</p>
<p>One last thought – while there are places reknown for turning out talent, many very talented graphic designers come out of strong programs at lower in selectivity schools…in that respects it can be like the MT kids. There are a few stellar places and some of the really, really good programs are at colleges that get little play on the main boards of CC. A decade ago some of the absolute best portfolios I saw and the best portfolios I saw time after time, came out of a no-name third tier public uni in our state and I know that’s not unusual. Somtimes it’s all about the profs. It’s also a major where adjuncts (that are working in the field) can add tremendous value. They are on top of what’s happening in the industry and in their companies, they use the lingo of the day, the industry standard software and they see many portfolios come and go and can add a valuable perspective. They can get the kids hooked up with what’s happening in the area. So if you are quietly evaluating your son’s current college relative to graphic design keep those thoughts in mind.</p>
<p>If he gets serious or just wants to “explore” more and he’s near a metropolitan area, the American Advertising Federation often has “youth groups” for the college kids. It’s great for networking which is the name of the game these days. That would be “smart” even if he minors in communication. PRSSA is the equivalent group for PR professionals and they, too, have “youth” groups for college students in most metro areas.</p>
<p>Whether or not graphic design is a “good” profession is open to debate. The current economy is such that salaries for graphic designers are much lower than they were pre-2000. The barriers to entry are low, and the competition is international. That said, talent can make a huge difference in someone’s chances.</p>
<p>This is all besides the point. Graphic design is primarily a trade. Artistically talented high school graduates with skills in modern computer tools (e.g. creative suite, photoshop, etc.) are as capable of landing jobs in the field as someone with college degrees. During interiews, it’s the portfolio that matters. To get the hands-on trade experience there are art institutes, community college courses, and work. There are innumerable volunteer opportunities to practice and tune one’s skills.</p>
<p>The notion of graphic design as a college major seems disconnected from what colleges are about. For a trade, 1-2 years of apprentice level experience to master the tools of the trade while working on the job is worth much more than any number of “how to use this program or that” courses in a college setting.</p>
<p>"The current economy is such that salaries for graphic designers are much lower than they were pre-2000. "
-Not for everybody. My DIL is doing very well, getting promoted and handles big accounts. Her hours are crazy though, good that my S (also graphic designer) works from home. They still have a babysitter to handle kids.</p>
<p>Perhaps fogcity, but that is true of many types of career fields these days. Is a MT major going to be hired because of the degree? Is a talented cellist going to land a seat in an orchestra because of a degree? Maybe, maybe not. It is entirely true that some graphic designers are able to land jobs based on the strength of their portfolio but if they wish to work for a company that is large enough to have advancement paths, generally the absence of the degree will “hurt” in succession planning and the designer ends up back in college to finish a four year degree.</p>
<p>If someone is totally set on starting their own business and vow never to work for someone else as a designer perhaps it’s less important. But how many people can see down the road that far?</p>
<p>I also haven’t noticed a sharp decline in starting salaries. Freelancers haven’t raised their average hourly rates in years but that is also not unusual in these economic times. Certainly some compression but that is being seen across the boards for all degrees.</p>
<p>Some employers view the degree simply as evidence of perseverance and an ability to complete what someone has started so there are zero detriments to the college degrees and more potential pitfalls for not completing.</p>
<p>As far as the ability to pick up the software skillls and where I don’t disagree. Raw talent will get you far…however pick the program carefully…there is a certain polish to portfolios from established programs. Finally “real work” for “real customers” counts more on resumes as well as portfolios, but that is true of any kid with any degree looking for any job.</p>
<p>So I don’t entirely disagree with you fogcity, but there is value to a degree if the student has the ability and finances to take that path. It’s a harder hill to climb if one is ‘self taught’ or learned on the fly than if one is knocking on the door with a portfolio and a degree in hand. Can be done, no doubt, but definitely not easy.</p>
<p>And as you can see from the sample ad for an entry level position that momofthree posted, one of the requirements is a bachelor’s degree. Not just proficiency in the programs and a good portfolio</p>
<p>My wife once bought coffee from a Starbucks barista who introduced herself as a graphic artist. </p>
<p>I asked her…wasn’t she really a Starbucks barista?</p>
<p>I think the work output of graphic artists is a cool. They do really neat stuff. I’ve heard that it’s tough competition and therefore not a field I’d recommend. But a neat form of artistic creativity.</p>
<p>momofthreeboys: thanks for the job description! I manage a communications department of a non-profit organization and we are about to hire someone for a position very similar to this! </p>
<p>I would add this the current generation is a very VISUAL generation. The ability to create marketing visuals that prompt sales (both in print and online) is a talent that will continue to be valued in the for-profit and not-for-profit world.</p>
<p>Do not underestimate the understanding of business side of it, customer relations, marketing, lots of presentations. Talent will not insure success. DIL was never an artist at all.</p>
<p>MiamiDap the abilitly to communicate, to see the strategic imperative, to grasp how to visualize someone’s verbal description of “what they want” is important whether you are freelancing or working in a company structure. Those are different skills than being able to make something handed to you “look nice” and separate the graphic designers that are working at fixing other people’s files from the designers that can take a ton of information and produce something.</p>
<p>I also happen to think any profession is a “good” profession and if you happen to be a Starbucks barista trying to build a freelance business or get your foot in door, or a seat in the orchestra, or your book published or your art sold…more power to you for at least standing on your own two feet and making or finding your way. Rare is the artist, writer, theatrical person, music person who hits the mark right out of college or right out of high school.</p>