Graphic Artist Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What does a graphic artist do,and is it a good trade to make a living? 1~What exactly does a graphic artist do? 2~Do graphic artist's make a good living? 3~Where do they work, who hires a graphic artist?

Answer: Graphic artists can work designing a variety of things. Stuff for company logos, ad agencies, websites, anything that needs a creative visual. There are lots of areas to go into. You can make a good living if you are good. Keep in mind there is a LOT of competition. You will not make it without a little talent and a LOT of hard work. My friend John is a very talented graphic artist and it took him about 4 years after graduating to get a job in the field he wanted. He makes about 35,000-40,000 a year. Like I said it is a very competitive field.

Question: How do i become a graphic artist? What is a graphic artist? What type of degree do you need? What types of schools can you go to? Who hires graphic artists? What is the salary range of a graphic artist? What are some jobs that a graphic artist can do? What is a graphic artist responsible for when organizing text and visual information?

Answer: graphic artist designs stuff for - web, fliers, cd covers, other signs and anything like logo's and stuff for the web and presentations and well name it if you see it someone got paid to put it there! degree - umm something in the art's sound good! I personally would go to a trade school tho! everyone hires graphic artist, radio stations, tv stations, sign and print shops, whoever does advertising or advertising companeys! salary range depends on area - can be anywhere from 25 k to 100k depends tho the responsiblies are not limited to design factors so placement of text or images, color useage, some even do print and reproduction!

Question: How long does is usually take to become a professional graphic artist? I suppose that it depends on the person on how long it takes to become a graphic artist, and how hard you try. And when I say graphic artist, I do not mean graphic designer. I mean someone who, from scratch, creates a portait of someone or something. Anyways just the usual amount of time it takes to become good at gaphic art and/or become a professional. Thanks!

Answer: 4 years to get a BFA. 2 more for the optional MFA

Question: How can a graphic artist market himself? I am tired of dirty good for nothing recruiters calling me about jobs. They are liars and I don't think they should get a peace of the pie for my work! How can I, as a graphic artist market myself to companies? Thanks Please, recruiters, don't call me names or insult me. 9 out of 10 times the recruiters are lying about the positions anyway. I have more horror stories then I care to reflect on with recruiters. Unless you have something constructive to share, then don't!

Answer: You could always look to see what companies are hiring and go set up a meeting and bring your samples of your work. Or you can be a freelancer and post an advertisement in the newspaper by using your skills.

Question: Where can I find a work at home graphic artist job? I'm looking for a graphic artist job that will allow me to work at my home comupter and sumbit the finished products over the internet. I am not interested in doing it on my own. I prefer to work for a company that does this.

Answer: That is a great question - I wish I could help you as that is what I would love to do. I do some things on my own, just by word of mouth, but it isn't consistent so that means it is either feast or famine. But it seems that there must be plenty of Graphic Artist Companies that need help with things like this. Good Luck

Question: What does one need to begin a career as a graphic artist? I am trying to help a friend get started as a graphic artist and would like to know what are some of the basic things she'll need to start out. She has worked in the field before and has studied graphic arts, but took time off to start a family and now would like to work from home. I want to help her get started if possible.

Answer: Well a MAC is a good start followed by Adabe Suite or Coral Suite.. very expensive software but it is the best. Bsiness cards and maybe a website and email small printers and advertising agents. Smaler places tend not to have there own inhouse designer and wil be more likely to send her work if the price is right. Better still tell her to get ito weding stationary, these days most of that os cutoms desiged and big designer hate doing it, brided are a pain in the backside.

Question: What kind of businesses can a creative writer and a graphic artist create? I am a creative writer (short stories, novels, etc.) and I have a friend who's a graphic artist. What sort of businesses could we create to make money? Please give us business tips too! Thanks!

Answer: One thing I have learned in the business world is that it's best to learn through a coach. When you think of it, every successful athlete has a coach, as do most business people. It's a bit of a jungle out there and a coach can help you navigate through all of the confusion. You can really earn some serious income as a creative writer and having a graphic artist to back you means you can have a beautiful website up and running in no time. You could sell your stories or write creatively to sell something else. Dr. Joe Vitale of the Secret offers many books on hypnotic marketing and with your skills, you have a leg-up on most people! There is a program out there that really teaches the ins and outs of how to market yourself and I feel it was worth every dime. What I like is that the whole program is done with videos so you are essentially looking over the teacher's shoulder so you can see exactly what you need to do. This program could change your life. Hope this helps.

Question: How can a person become a faster graphic artist? Say a person knows flash, actionscript, photoshop, dreamweaver, adobe illustrator, etc... yet they tend to take too much time on some projects. However, these projects do take time and the non graphic artists haven't a clue. What should the graphic artist do to speed things up?

Answer: The answer is simply "Time On Task" The best way to learn to work faster is to just keep practicing working faster. It is just a matter of time spent consciously practicing. As you spend time on the artistic tasks more and more things that you originally had to think about become more and more automatic. An amazing fact is that MRI and PET scans show that less than one percent of the brains electrical activity and chemical activity of the brain is dedicated to conscious thought. We are really subconsciously driven animals. The conscious mind programs the subconscious mind though. By doing the art tasks over and over on Flash, ActionScript, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator etc. you move this information to the subconscious and automatically get faster. I am a retired commercial artist and there are artists who do this stuff hour after hour, day after day and they get so fast that the computer lags far behind. They people stop, sit back, and the computer is still flashing screen after screen trying to catch up. It is amazing. And as you practice use and learn all the keyboard shortcuts. You will get faster... much faster. You'll want to do something and it'll just happen. But you'll find that no matter how fast you get technically and how facile you get at coming up with and executing exciting new ideas, most non-artists will still never appreciate how long the creative process still takes on many projects. Good Luck! Have Fun!

Question: How do you become a graphic artist? My friend is a high school graduate and has been in animation in quite a while. He did not go to college. He wants to be a graphic artist. What course should he take?

Answer: Many colleges offer specialized training in Graphic Arts. The Art Institue is the one I'm familiar with but I wouldn't suggest the Houston one. He can also take his classes online if he'd like. Many of these colleges are accredited now, and you can obtain your Bachelor's there and just transfer to a University to continue your Masters if you wish. Just make sure he likes the program he sees and feels it would be the best - don't let them push him into anything (any college I reviewed for my husband (He wants to go into Advertising with a graphic arts major (The Art Institute Online happened to have an Advertising Bachelor's Degree that fit his very needs)), that felt like they were pushy - I turned down immediately). If he's set for a University, make sure he tells them he wants a Graphic Arts focus. Though myself, I've been impressed with what the online and other tech & trade schools offer. It won't hurt him to look - like my husband he may find exactly what he's looking for (Community College or University credits for General Ed. courses should transfer - my upcoming school has many gen ed courses (something they've added back into these kind of colleges - which ten years ago, gen ed classes were stripped out of the cirriculum in favor of time - but the program also focuses on what I need for my field - that's what he needs to determine when looking at schools and picking one - which one best fills his needs and will best prepare him for the career he wants. Ask for a course list too if you can - this helps in making a decision too - it really helped me).

Question: Where can I find a graphic artist for a photo manipulation project? I have a graduation present that I had been trying to put together for my brother and seeing as how I live in the middle of nowhere, there are not really any artists who can help me with my project. i want to take his photo and have it "manipulated" and turned into a piece of cool looking graphic art. where on earth can i go to find an artist who can do this? i live in modesto,ca. is there anyone on the internet or a website/company? thanks a lot.

Answer: How bid a project is it, and what is it worth to you? ~ Send me an email...

Question: What drawing tablet currently on the market would best suited for a budding graphic artist? I would like to purchase a drawing tablet for my friend, a graphic artist. I have no idea what characterizes an good/appropriate tablet for a sketch artist! Help! I would also love it to be within a reasonable price range for a college student. Thanks!!

Answer: I've been a graphic design artist for almost 10 years and never had need for a tablet. Colossal waste of money at any price in my opinion, but if your college bud wants one, I'd say go to a site that rates and compares electronics and such items like mysimon.com or bizrate.com

Question: Must someone be a good drawer to succeed as a Graphic Artist? I want to take a course to become a Graphic Artist, but can not draw well. Is that going to be expected of me?

Answer: well if you talk to any artist they will tell you "anyone can draw" and when people hear this they are like no way in hell can anyone draw look at me i can only draw stick figures! If its your dream to become a graphic designer go for it! don't let anyone stop you! But i would draw everyday, start to drawl simple things and as you practice start to draw more complex drawling. if you draw everyday im telling you your art will improve! its not going to be an overnight change! but you will improve. but you have to try adn draw everyday and practice whenever you can! good luck to you! hope this helped! -Tar

Question: Whose problem is it, the publisher or graphic artist? I have seen a cover on a book almost identical with that designed for me for a forthcoming publication. As to copyright, is it the publisher's problem or the graphic artist's? I am responsible for paying the graphic artist. Should I do so? I paid him half on account. Can I get it back? It is self-publishing, in the sense that it is not a big publishing house. I have had no trouble in the past, but have not used this artist. It is only the artist's fees which are the subject of a special arrangement, and this one was recommended by the publisher. None of the answers fits my particular case, but thanks to all who responded.

Answer: Did you request an original design when you gave him the order. Is that specified in writing? Does the artist retain the copyright to the design or do you? Do you even have a contract or agreement? I don't think it would be the publisher's problem, you tcontracted with the graphic artist directly. Has the cover been printed? Prepared for printing?Color Seperations made? In process or waht. If not have the publisher stop the production. Make the graphic artist design you a different and unique cover.

Question: Please give me the name of a successful photogrpher, artist or graphic artist? I am doing a term paper and need the name of a photogrpher, artist or graphic artist who has successfuly marketed and licensed their work. Thanks I'm sorry, but the person must be currently living. I must be able to interview them, either by phone, in person, or e-mail. Thanks The person should preferably be living in the U.S .

Answer: Graphic Designer- Milton Glaser, still alive, best known for his "Bob Dylan" poster, the I Love New York logo, and the "DC bullet" logo used by DC Comics from 1977 to 2005. He also founded New York Magazine with Clay Felker in 1968..........here is his site http://miltonglaser.com/

Question: How to become a Graphic artist? I am in 11th grade and thinking about going into graphic design. I have been taking art classes for the past few years. The classes I have taken are studio in art, studio in drawing and painting, print making and sculpture. Next year I plan to take a graphic design class. Do you think I am on the right track to becoming a graphic artist? What else can I do besides going to college/getting experience? Also, do you think this is a good idea or is there another career I could get into with art?

Answer: Aside from the obvious art related classes that you are already on course, I would recommend business classes/workshops to help you understand the provider-to-client communication in a real world setting. Learn and rehearse interviews because that helps get you a job and gives you a feel for dealing with office dialogue. You can even take it a step further and apply for various jobs without the expectation of getting those jobs just to get familiar with the hiring/interview process. The practice makes it easier for when you are faced with a job you really want. Another essential step is to build your portfolio. You can do this in many ways, the best is getting an internship with a design/print/media firm. Have a neat ready-to-present portfolio, either online, on disk, or in book-form and always keep it updated. An overlooked possibility is volunteering your talent to needy causes. Sometimes the job is as simple as repainting over graffiti or folding/sending newsletters. What's important is that you have exposure and can add them to your resume.

Question: A company in Bahrain is hiring me as graphic artist, what is the ideal salary for this position? Hi guys, am currently undergoing an interview with an advertising company, as i was told, for a graphic artist position. I am hoping someone could help me on how much should I be asking for this kind of job position.. an ideal salary maybe?

Answer: graphic artist hmm u should ask a salary between 700 BD and 1K BD with house allowance