Graphic designers have a wealth of new opportunities opening up in the workplace. The importance of web usage in business today has put virtually every operating concern in need of some sort of employee or consultant who can assemble a good graphics and / or multimedia driven web page.
Career oriented graphics designers today need a bachelor's degree. It is required for most entry level jobs. Graphic designers bring creativity and imagination to their work, but they must also bring a mastery of the tools, and those tools include sophisticated software programs and computer techniques as well as paper and drawing utensils. Computers are use to generate images, animation and multimedia presentations. It takes a lot of study to master the programs in use today and to keep up with the constant changes in graphic design technology.
There are several major business functions that require the services – and sometimes the leadership – of a graphics designer. In general, the use of graphics and multimedia is only expanding as more communications options are brought into the marketplace, such as the social networks and now the rapidly improving platforms for mobile devices.
Graphics design is at the heart of every advertising agency's products. It is one of the principal job sources for graphics professionals. Sometimes a graphics designer comes up with a design for an ad, but often the designer is also responsible for color, animation if needed, sound, shading and other effects. For ad campaigns, an account manager may want storyboards for presentation of an ad campaign's conceptualization and it is the graphic designer's job to prepare those, either on paper or as a digital slide show.
Graphic designers are also the anchor talent in many web development and design businesses . It is in this environment that the importance of understanding computer software for multimedia use becomes crucial. Web sites have become critical to all types of businesses, from small retailers to major corporations. Web presentations may include sketches and well lit photographs, or elaborate video presentations, or anything in between.
The video game business uses graphic artists and multimedia professionals in game development. In these environments, a graphic designer may work with a computer programmer on an animation scene and focus on such issues as shading, character movement and simulated lighting in the scene.
Over twenty five percent of all graphic designers are self employed . People who contract out their services may work for advocates who need graphic presentations, for publishing houses, for real estate firms, for fashion designers, for architectural forms or for sign companies . These are a few examples of businesses that occasionally need the services of a graphics designer. Many professionals become specialists in one business sector or another; and build a clientele based on recommendations.