Graphic Designers

Employers

Graphic designers hold 267,200 jobs in the United States. They work in many different industries, including the wholesale and retail trade (such as department stores, furniture and home furnishings stores, apparel stores, and florist shops); manufacturing industries (such as machinery, motor vehicles, aircraft, metal products, instruments, apparel, textiles, printing, and publishing); service industries (such as business services, engineering, and architecture); construction firms; animation companies; film and television production companies; computer and video game design companies; and government agencies. Public relations and publicity firms, advertising agencies, and mail-order houses all have graphic design departments. The publishing industry is a primary employer of graphic designers, including book publishers, magazines, newspapers, and newsletters.

About 18 percent of all graphic designers are self-employed, a higher proportion than is found in most other occupations. These freelance designers sell their services to multiple clients.

Starting Out

The best way to enter the field of graphic design is to have a strong portfolio. Potential employers rely on portfolios to evaluate talent and how that talent might be used to fit the company's needs. Beginning graphic designers can assemble a portfolio from work completed at school, in traditional art, digital art, Web design, and animation classes, and in part-time or freelance jobs. The portfolio should continually be updated to reflect the designer's growing skills so it will always be ready for possible job changes. Many designers now post their portfolios at their personal Web sites or at social media sites.

Those just starting out can apply directly to companies that employ designers. Many colleges and professional schools have career services offices to help graduates find positions, and sometimes it is possible to get a referral from a previous part-time employer or volunteer coordinator.