- Get paid for being creative. Graphic designers express their creativity every day. As well as picking colour palettes and choosing imagery and type they also have to think ‘outside the box’ to solve challenging briefs. If you’re a creative type, with a good eye for detail, graphic design gives you the opportunity to bring your ideas to life.
- Make a real difference. Every design project from a small flyer to a major advertising campaign has the potential to make a difference. For instance a poster campaign could encourage someone to donate blood, the right logo can help a local business attract more customers or you can even just point people in the right direction through effective signage. Whatever you design, the ability to create change is a privilege. Hone your visual communication skills at college and use them to make an impact.
- The world is your oyster. Armed with a pencil, mac and the right software, a designer can work anywhere in the world. Nowadays many companies and clients don’t mind where you work as long as you produce the goods. If travelling’s your bag, why not join the growing army of ‘digital nomads’, who use their design skills to fund their travels?
- Be your own boss. There are lots of opportunities for designers to work for themselves, from freelancing to setting up your own agency. Some designers even launch their own commercial brands using their marketing and artistic skills to promote their own product ranges.
- Exciting job opportunities. Graphic designers are always in demand, particularly those with digital skills. The amount of in-house designer jobs has increased significantly in the past year with brands such as Apple, Google, Specsavers, and NSPCC all investing in their own talent and creative agencies are always on the look out for fresh new designers. A visual communication qualification opens the door to a huge range of careers including Graphic Designer, Art Worker, UI/UX Designer, Information Architect, Mobile Designer, Brand Identity Developer, Packaging Designer, Broadcast Designer, Illustrator, Production Artist, Motion Graphics Designer, Web Designer and Creative Director.
- Cash in on digital. With the rise of web and mobile platforms there is now unprecedented demand for digital led designer roles. The average salary for a User Interface Designer with up to 5 years experience in the UK is around £29,117, in comparison to that of a Print Graphic Designer with the same level of experience, at £22,599. Furthermore, over 50% of digital designers in the UK have less than 5 years experience, meaning there are excellent opportunities for graduates to make an impact early in their careers.
(source: Indeed https://www.indeed.co.uk/)
- Make your mark on the world. As a designer you will be creating unique work you can be proud of and sharing it with the world. Seeing something you designed in context – on a supermarket shelf or billboard – is always exciting and your work could potentially be seen by generations to come.
- Work across a range of industries. Every industry needs effective visual communication and therefore good designers. Whether you choose to work with different types of clients or specialise in a particular field that appeals to you, the possibilities are endless.
- No two days are the same. Life as a designer is never dull with every day throwing up a new creative challenge. You could be designing a social media post for a restaurant one day and a strategic plan for a healthcare company the next. A constant flow of deadlines keeps you focussed with no time for clock watching.
- Designers have fun! Modern design studios are vibrant and exciting places to work. If the idea of working nine to five in a corporate office environment leaves you cold, studio life may be more up your street. Creative studios value individuality with relaxed dress codes, flexible working patterns and quirky workspaces. Working as part of a creative team is inspiring and fun, and for the self-employed designer there is a wide online community of designers sharing work, feedback and advice.
Interested? With a wide range of design and visual communication courses, Ayrshire College is a great place to start your creative career. Apply now for courses starting in August here.
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