Graphic Designer
Are you creative, artistically talented, and familiar with computers? If so, becoming a graphic designer might be a good fit for you.
Graphic designers are visual communicators who design and create digital art pieces using specialized software and devices. They communicate ideas to inspire, inform or captivate audiences through physical and virtual art forms, including images, words or graphics. They create many diverse types of content, such as an idea or identity to be used in advertising and promotions. Graphic designers draw up concepts for new designs, choose fonts, design elements and color schemes for designs, and typeset copy and arrange photos for publications.
Frequently, a graphic designer may collaborate with other communicators and artists, including copywriters, editors, videographers and multimedia animators.
To become a graphic designer, you need to improve your graphic design skills by practicing drawing, sketching and using color palettes, as well as using digital mediums, like drawing tablets and programs like the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Most graphic designers have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, computer graphics, or digital arts. It’s also important to build up a portfolio showing the design work that you have created.
$31,465
entry level salary estimate
$60,646
experienced level salary estimate
1,766
projected annual job openings
Programs for Graphic Designers
Dallas College (AAS degree, certificates)
Midwestern State University (BA, BFA degrees)
North Central Texas College (AA degree)
Southeastern Oklahoma State University (BA degree)
Texas A&M University - Commerce (BFA degree)
Texas Woman’s University (BFA degree)
Tyler Junior College (AAS degree, certificate)
The arts are thriving in Texas – and you can too!
Feeling creative? You’ll be in good company in the arts and culture industry. If you’re technically inclined, you’ll find lots of opportunities to work behind the scenes – designing, directing, producing, writing and publishing multimedia and other creative content. Short-term training (usually from a few months to about two years) can get you started in some of these positions, while you’ll need more advanced training or a bachelor’s degree for others.
Additional In Demand Careers in Arts and Communications
Sources:
Texas Labor Market Information, Texas Workforce Commission. Statewide wages by occupation, 2021. Statewide projections by occupation, 2020-2030.
Get in touch
Stay connected
Interested in learning more about the college and career options that might be right for you? Whether you are a student, a parent, or counselor, sign up to our email list and we’ll keep you updated as our site grows to include even more programs and areas of interest.