Careers

American Institute of Graphic Arts

• Founded in 1914
• Mission statement: "AIGA’s mission is to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force." 
• What they do: "inform about best practices, standards for ethical conduct and professional expertise, communicate design’s importance to the public and business leaders about the power of design, inspire through articles, online galleries, profiles, videos and exhibitions, represent the profession through a network of chapters and student groups, stimulate discussion of the industry through events, social media and websites." Who they represent: Graphic Designers 
• How to become a member: apply for membership as a professional, associate, student, full time faculty, or group, receive membership materials. Student member opportunities: "Gain exposure by posting your portfolio in the AIGA Member Gallery. Find jobs and internships in AIGA Design Jobs. Network and learn at local and national events. Access exclusive member benefits."
• This organization does help its members seek job opportunities. 

Production artist 

• the last person to see a design before it is published, help edit, have have a working knowledge of the programs 
• have a background of graphic design classes, a year of past experience in other areas of graphic design, a bachelors degree in graphic design 
• salary: $60 - $250 per hour 

Art Director 

• supervise and critique the visual appearance so that it meets the clients needs
• need to be good with people and able to not offend when making corrections
• need to have skills with certain computer programs, a degree in the field of graphic design or advertising 
• salary: $35,000 - $83,000 

Creative Director 

• oversees the project, keep staff in track with deadlines, make sure the needs of the client are being met
• need to be good in management and able to lead a team, a certain amount of management experience 
• salary: $52,500 - $115,500 

Illustrator 

• creates images from printed materials, everything from books to greeting cards to advertisements  
• need to have good techniques and a creative mind, a past internship, a bachelors in fine arts
• salary: $40,000 - $74,000 

Web Design 

• Responsible fro creating World Wide Web pages for a client and giving a look and or feel for the website
• strong verbal and visual communication skills, knowledge of FTP and other programs, a two or four year in a related subject 
• salary: $51,000 - $74,000

Package Designer

• create and design packaging for different products 
• bachelors degree in communication design, a general knowledge of the folds and creases in packages
• salary: $40,000 - $80,000

Comic Book Artist 

• create comics for the viewing pleasure of the people who read them 
• having a degree in fine arts or drawing, active listening and learning, keeping up with current trends
• salary: $53,000 - $70,000

Graphic Designer 

• communicate visually through design
• be able to use the programs, bachelors degree 
• salary: $35,000 - $60,000

 Publication Designer

• create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, develop graphics and layouts for companies
• requieres strong graphic design and page layout skills, a bachelors degree in graphics
• salary: on average $48,000 

Storyboard Artist 

• translate screen plays or sequences into a series of illustrations
• good drawing skills, a degree in fine arts 
• salary: under $30,000

SPD

•  the society of publication designers 
• promotes and encourages editorial design 
• have events to show work

Portrait Photographer 

• take photographs with creativity to capture the body and face, not background 
• need to be creative and know the equipment, bachelor in art of photography and a portfolio
• salary: $20,000 - $46,000 

Computer Animator

• work with computers to make their ideas come to life 
• artistic ability, familiar with computer animation programs, creativity 
• salary: $61,000
• knowledge of animation programs and artistic experience  

PIAG

• printing and imaging association of georgia 
• to educate the public of the importance of print, to act as the catalyst for growth of the printing and imaging industry, and o strengthen and support its members through valuable educational and business resources. 

Documentary Photographer 

• used to capture significant and historical events 
• a bachelors degree in photo journalism, training in photography and graphic design software
• experience in photography, passion for current events, adaptable to change
• salary: $39,000

Advertising Photography 

• take pictures of various subjects and products for promotional materials 
• need to know how to use a digital camera, how to process film, how to use photoshop and other programs, it would help to have experience in other types of photography, a bachelors in anything involving photography or fine arts 
• salary: $35,980 - $150,000

Editorial Photography 

• take pictures for magazines
• need to know how to use a digital camera, how to use photoshop and illustrator, a bachelors degree in photography or fine arts 
• salary: $17,000 - $61,000

Fashion Photography

• a genre of photography devoted to clothing and other fashion items 
• knowledge of photography, good communication skills, an association or bachelors degree in photography
• salary: $20,000 - $100,000+

Photo Journalism 

• take pictures that tell stories, take pictures that complement news articles
• photography skills, knowledge of cameras and editing programs, familiar with different picture taking techniques, a college degree in photography or something related
• salary: $25,000 - $60,000

Sports Photography

• take pictures involving sports and sporting events
• knowledge of cameras and lighting, composition skills, a baachelor of art and photography, a good portfolio
• salary: $24,000 - $45,000

PPA

• professional photographers of america
• represents photographers, largest non profit organization for photographers, helps people get jobs

APA

• American photographic artists
• school to learn about photography, help photographers, can enter contests 

NAPP

• National association of photoshop users
• help prep photos for online printing, need a bachelors degree a major in digital photography 

NPPA

• National press photographers association 
• represents and protects photo journalists in the field 

Copywriters

• write the text for the graphic 
• be good with text, creative, be able to think cleverly, able to write copy, a journalism or english degree, can freelance or work for a company 
• salary: $75 - $125 an hour 

Freelance

• when you work for yourself vs a company, do all of the administration work and client work 
• a degree in graphic design, be able to use all of the programs, able to market yourself
• salary: $50 - $70 an hour 

GAG

• Graphic art guild 
• to promote and protect the interests of its members, committed to improve commissions for graphic artists