4 answers
Isabella
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
4
Questions
Asked
836 views
How sustainable is graphic design as a career?
Is the salary good enough to live off of comfortably
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4 answers
Curt Spannraft
Content creator/graphic designer
5
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Curt’s Answer
Hello, Isabella. Yes, you can absolutely make a sustained living, especially if you can work up to an Art Director or Creative Director position. Tara is right about having as many skills as you can learn. There may still be positions that focus on one or two skills, but the more you have, the better. The best to have are graphic design (of course), web design and HTML, user interface/user experience design, some illustration if you can, and even some video editing can be useful. Knowing a bit of motion graphics can also be a nice feather in your cap.
I, however, have many friends who are just graphic designers who work mostly as Art Directors or freelance designers.
Print design used to be a big field, and although there are still opportunities there, it is slowly declining, so designing for the digital world is most likely the way to go.
I, however, have many friends who are just graphic designers who work mostly as Art Directors or freelance designers.
Print design used to be a big field, and although there are still opportunities there, it is slowly declining, so designing for the digital world is most likely the way to go.
Thank you so much for your answer! I will take this into consideration!
Isabella
David Jameson
Web Design
3
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
Hello there! Absolutely, as previously stated, a graphic design salary can certainly provide a comfortable living. I want to reinforce that the design industry is increasingly digital, and having a grasp on how the internet, websites, and graphic design principles function is a highly sought-after skill set!
Moreover, it's important to note that there are a multitude of careers that rely on graphic design as a core component. These range from graphic design in print and advertising, web design, UX design (which focuses more on functionality than aesthetics), to motion design. There are also careers that are kind of adjacent to graphic design, such as set design, food styling, photo retouching, color grading, and many more. If any of these areas pique your interest, I encourage you to delve deeper and explore them!
Furthermore, regardless of which direction you're drawn to, I would advise immersing yourself in some art history to understand the fundamental design rules!
Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Moreover, it's important to note that there are a multitude of careers that rely on graphic design as a core component. These range from graphic design in print and advertising, web design, UX design (which focuses more on functionality than aesthetics), to motion design. There are also careers that are kind of adjacent to graphic design, such as set design, food styling, photo retouching, color grading, and many more. If any of these areas pique your interest, I encourage you to delve deeper and explore them!
Furthermore, regardless of which direction you're drawn to, I would advise immersing yourself in some art history to understand the fundamental design rules!
Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Isabella
yes art history really helped to put things into perspective.
Tara Cross
Tara Cross
Business Systems Analyst
7
Answers
Charter Township of Clinton, Michigan
Updated
Tara’s Answer
Hi Isabella, It really depends on what area of graphic design a person focus on and how good they are at their craft. I always say that it can be a great starting point but it should not be all that you have to offer. I started out as a graphic designer and graduated as a multimedia designer giving me more tools to work with and more to offer to remain competitive. I think the constant upgrading of skills help as well. So can you make a living off of graphic design yes, but in this competitive market, I think you would need more depending on what industry you take that skillset to.
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Isabella
Filip Yip
Illustrator, Graphic Designer
6
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Filip’s Answer
Yes! It's possible. However, you have to love this game and continue to learn and grow. Technology is changing the field continuously, as long as you stay in the community you shall do well.
Get a college education, find a job, and slowly move into a size and reputation studio or agency, you will start building your professional network and knowledge and career. Big companies pay well. Also, try to start or move to a metropolitan city as soon as possible. There you will catch up, and accelarate your career and salary level faster. You can always move.to a slower pace cities in future after Yiu put your foot in the door.
There is an independent path but less predictable. Usually people who have been working in agencies for a while.and already established a network with other designers will have a better outlook in being independent later. I know many employed who tried to switch to freelancing ended up returning to become full staff again. It's a very different lifestyle. You may have kids at home, you may miss regualr interaction with coellegues…etc.
But yes, you can have a good career in graphic design. If you are willing to work hard, and learn continuously.
Get a college education, find a job, and slowly move into a size and reputation studio or agency, you will start building your professional network and knowledge and career. Big companies pay well. Also, try to start or move to a metropolitan city as soon as possible. There you will catch up, and accelarate your career and salary level faster. You can always move.to a slower pace cities in future after Yiu put your foot in the door.
There is an independent path but less predictable. Usually people who have been working in agencies for a while.and already established a network with other designers will have a better outlook in being independent later. I know many employed who tried to switch to freelancing ended up returning to become full staff again. It's a very different lifestyle. You may have kids at home, you may miss regualr interaction with coellegues…etc.
But yes, you can have a good career in graphic design. If you are willing to work hard, and learn continuously.