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Amanda Barrera
Professor Hugetz
ENGL-1301-04
15 September 2020
Career Essay – Graphic Design
Graphic design is the process of visual communication and problem solving; using
typography, photography, iconography, and illustration. Graphic designers create commercials to
meet promotional needs typically by making logos or packages for their customers. To become a
graphic designer, you must have certain skills such as being a great listener, speaker, and critical
thinker. Active listening requires listening carefully to others to then be able to ask good follow
up questions. A skilled speaker can communicate well with others by pronouncing words with
clarity and having confidence in what they’re saying. Lastly, a critical thinker knows how to
appropriately discuss the pros and cons of a topic or idea as well as offers ways to problem solve.
Although these skills are all communication skills it’s important to put them to practice.
Strengthening these skills will help you succeed in this field. There are many programs that can
help prepare for this career. Some programs or courses include: Commercial and Advertising
Art, and Computer Graphics. You can take these courses at your local community college or
university and the degree may take up to 2-4 years to accomplish. In addition, these programs
require hands on learning, which can help students form a general idea of what graphic designers
do as a living and give them a taste of what it could be like in the future. Becoming a graphic
designer comes with pros and cons. One of the pros is that those in the field have the ability to
use both their creative and analytical side of the brain to think logically and expressively. A con
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of being a graphic designer is that you spend the majority of the time in front of a computer
software device which can be detrimental to your eyesight and can cause strain to the eyes.
Graphic design peaked in the 21st century due to the use of social media. Social media
influencers from all over the world get paid partnerships with business and designers to promote
their merchandise. These promoters are often seen wearing name brand clothing, drinking
popular energy drinks, and sometimes even driving new cars. Graphic designers pitch their ideas
and logos to businesses, in hopes to get people to buy and use the company’s merchandise. In
addition, graphic design is also used in the 21st century by individuals who create digital art.
Digital art is like graphic design, they both use computer software devices to create custom
images, logos, stickers and many more products for customers. Many digital artists can be found
on social media where they typically sell and promote their products by posting and tagging to
help boost cliental. People from all over the world are buying and creating logos to help boost
their business. Album covers also incorporate graphic design. Music has been around for
decades, from known bands such as The Beetles, and from rock and roll band ACDC. Many
singers create number one selling albums for the public, but it often depends if the album cover
is generally pleasing to the consumer’s eye. Graphic designers help create the image of an
album cover. They typically pitch an idea and or create an image that represents the singer and
their songs; it helps fans understand the general idea of what the album is typically about.
Moreover, graphic designers play a big role in our music industry’s, magazines, billboards, and
TV commercials in today’s society. They help make the artist and their work more appealing to
viewers which helps boost publicity. Because of this, society has shifted into a digital age.
Graphic design has been around for millions of years dating all the way back to the Ancient
Egyptians. Monuments and architects were made by individuals who expressed themselves
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through a different form of visual communication. Just a single image can be 1000 words worth
of content. This just proves that graphic design formed millions of years ago, starting with
ancient Egyptians who carved images, symbols and shapes into stone; making them the first
graphic designers. Although graphic design is the process of using different elements, it is an
opportunity for people to work on the art of their choice.
Graphic design is the process of communicating visually with your audience. It allows
the designer to express his or her feelings through their work. In addition, Graphic designers
have the ability to freelance and tailor their work based on their interests such as popular fashion
for a clothing line, icon designs, advertisement design and many more. Its popularity makes
graphic designing the best job for potential growth. In today’s society everyone wants their
business to be the best and most successful, with graphic design dreams of becoming a popular
and successful business can be accomplished. Moreover, graphic design is the best career for
individuals who desire to be self-employed and their own boss. Because of this, graphic design
is a continuous growing industry which requires hard work and dedication.
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Works Cited
Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine,
www.careercornerstone.org/.
CareerOneStop, 27 Jan. 2015, www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/toolkit.aspx.
What Can I Do With This Major/Degree?, www2.washjeff.edu/careerservicesmajors/.
