by CourseAdvisor

Though still competitive, graphic design has more job openings than most design specialties. Graphic artists or designers create visual images to communicate "messages" for advertising, publishing, and design firms. Individuals who know web design or animation in addition to graphic design for print will have the best opportunities.

Once the graphic designer has completed work on the publication, the page files and images are sent to the printer, often referred to as the printing house. There, the graphic designer's counterpart, the Prepress Coordinator, oversees the process of mechanically or digitally preparing the pages and image files for the printing press.

In some cases, often depending on the size of the company, the roles of graphic designer and prepress worker are combined into one. This job is commonly titled Desktop Publisher.

Some graphic design positions require only an associate's degree, but employers prefer designers to have a bachelor's degree in fine arts or a related subject. About one-third of all graphic designers are self-employed. The median salary for graphic designers employed by companies is about $38,000.

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Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition; Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.