Overview
Graphic Design is a broad field. You can even say that one specialty of graphic design is web design. Graphic design has all kinds of sub-specialties and there are all kinds of different jobs you can work with it. Like with web design and web development, any statistics I use are generalized to graphic design and averaged out.
Things You'll Need to Do
The kinds of things you do as a graphic designer vary. Sure, the gist of it is that you'll be working with images of some kind to make something visually appealing. But what exactly you'll be working with depends. A graphic designer could be working in advertising, creating logos for businesses or events, posters for an event, CD inserts and covers, page layouts in print, catalogs, brochures, and pamphlets.
Most graphic designers will use computer programs like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to get what they need done.
Like there are freelance web designers, there are also freelance graphic designers. The worries for freelancers concerning money and clients are the same. They have to manage their projects and personal life carefully, keep enough income to pay their bills, and get word out about their services.
There are businesses that specialize in creating things like banners, logos, fliers and brochures for clients who hire teams of graphic designers. There are also places like advertising firms who have their own group of designers to create the picture of the friendly tiger the advertising team envisions.
Education?
Just like with web design, most employers want someone with training and a solid portfolio (a collection of your best work). Generally, a bachelors in art or design. Most designers who do get a job will most likely train under a more experienced designer for a while as well. Some employers might want to see education in a more specific discipline. For example, a web designer might want to hire you to be a designer for their design business, but they want you to have some developer skills as well.
How Much Can I Make?
Graphic design is such a broad field that it can be hard to say what an average salary is. The number will depend on where in the country you are, some places with a higher standard of living may pay more for example. If you work for a company that provides benefits, that will pay differently than if you were working freelance. Working for an advertising company will probably pay differently than a business who makes banners, posters, and brochures.
General statistics found across the web show that a graphic designer makes between $39,000 to $58,000 a year.
Graphic design as a career is hard to talk about without getting into lots of sub-fields, and the career title is vague enough that if you decide to go into it, there will be a lot of options open as far as what you can do.
Links About This Career
WetFeet: Design Career
Here is a general basics of what the career is. It gives information "design" in general, but has specific sections about graphic design.
AIGA: What is Graphic Design?
This is the website AIGA (a professional association for design) has describing what graphic design as a career entails. It goes a little deeper into the different types of design (type-based and image-based) and reminds people that graphic design is as much art that requires a good eye and some talent as anything else.
Jessica Greenwalt: A Freelance Graphic Designer
Here is the website of Jessica Greenwalt. She's a good example of a freelance graphic designer who has someplace for potential clients to check her out before contacting her to see the rest of her portfolio.
Design Firms Directory
Here is an example of a website that offers to let businesses in graphic design advertise and connect to clients by listing the business and contact info.
How is this for graphic design?
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