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A List of Graphic Communication Careers
by Dachell McSween
Graphic communications professionals get to be creative.
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1 The Qualifications Needed to Work as a Graphic Designer
2 Facts on Industrial Designer Jobs
3 How Long Does It Take to Graduate as a Fashion Designer?
4 Salary of an Advertising Vice President
According to the Graphic Communications Education Foundation, there are more than 1 million people in the United States working in the graphic communications industry. These jobs consist of working in general commercial printing, digital imaging, financial printing, magazine and book printing. Many graphic communications positions are high-tech and require creativity. They include work as an industrial designer, drafter, desktop publisher, multimedia artist and animator.
Industrial designers create concepts for products ranging from cars, to appliances to toys. They also evaluate the safety and function of a product to determine if a design is useful for customers. Industrial designers create virtual models of designs by using computer software programs. For entry level positions, a bachelor's degree in industrial design, architecture or engineering, along with a professional design portfolio, is required. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that industrial designers earned $58,230 in May 2010. Experienced designers move on to positions as chief designers.
Drafters
Drafters use technology to move the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings and plans. These designs are used to build microchips and skyscrapers and everything in between. Drafters work in different environments, including the military, architect firms, construction companies and engineering businesses. For entry level positions, candidates should have an associate's degree in design fundamentals or sketching from a technical school or college. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, drafters earned $47,880 in May 2010.
Desktop Publishers
If you enjoy creating page layouts for magazines, newspapers and books, consider a career as a desktop publisher. They also import text and graphics into computer software programs, create new artwork and use scanners to turn drawings into digital images. An associate or bachelor's degree is required for an entry level position in this field. Many desktop publishers study graphic design or graphic communications in a technical school or college. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that many desktop publishers work part-time in publishing and printing industries. The median hourly wage for this position was $17.60 in May 2010.
Multimedia Artists and Animators
Multimedia artists and animators create graphics and animation for television, movies, video games and other media outlets. They also develop storyboards that display key scenes in animation and research upcoming projects to create designs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for this position was $58,510 in May 2010. Many multimedia artists and animators have a bachelor's degree in computer graphics or art and a strong design portfolio.
Graphic Communications Education Foundation: Careers in Graphic Communications
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Industrial Designers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Drafters
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Desktop Publishers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Multimedia Artists and Animators
The Professional Association for Design: Home
Dachell McSween has contributed to the "New York Daily News" and "Black Enterprise Magazine." She also writes for various online publications. McSween received a B.A. in journalism from Pace University and an M.S. in publishing from New York University.
McSween, Dachell. "A List of Graphic Communication Careers." Work - Chron.com, http://work.chron.com/list-graphic-communication-careers-13818.html. Accessed 17 January 2020.
McSween, Dachell. (n.d.). A List of Graphic Communication Careers. Work - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://work.chron.com/list-graphic-communication-careers-13818.html
McSween, Dachell. "A List of Graphic Communication Careers" accessed January 17, 2020. http://work.chron.com/list-graphic-communication-careers-13818.html
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