Graphic Designer

Description: Graphic designers devise and develop numerous visual concepts, either by hand or through computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform and entertain consumers.

Knowledge Required: Basic principles and techniques of art and design, website design, graphic design

Skills: Artistic ability, communication skills, computer skills, customer service, complex problem solving, management

Career Path: Graphic designers undergo training in design, photography or drawing, among other forms of art. They take on many projects to gain design experience and include the resulting work a portfolio. Experienced graphic designers may advance to creative director, chief designer or other supervisory positions. A graphic design career map can be found at: https://www.zippia.com/graphic-designer-jobs/#career-paths

Best Cities for this job: California, New York, Texas, Florida and Illinois have the highest concentration of graphic designers.

Median Annual Income: National: $43,500 California: $62,000

Future Growth: The Bureau of Labor Statistic predicts a 13 percent growth in employment from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

From the field: "Design is really about a process of thinking creatively and critically about how to solve something in a way that not only makes sense to people, but produces a solution to a problem." - Maurice Woods, Graphic Designer, Co-Founder of the Inneract Project

Did You Know?: The Nike swoosh was designed by Carolyn Davidson in 1971, while she was a student at Portland State University. She was paid $35.