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Jobs in Graphic Design

The Graphic Design element of Media has many career options.

Marketing - Marketing executive, branding designer, logo design, content strategist, email marketing, advertising designer, director or advertising.

Product Development - Package design - label and physical container, production designer.

Editorial - Editorial design, layout artist, information graphics design.

Development - Front end web designer, designer/developer, user interface (UI) designer, user experience (UX) designer, information architect, mobile designer, motion design, visual design

Creativity - creative services manager, creative director, typographer, imagineer.

PR - Presentation specialist, exhibition designer, environmental graphics designer.

Printer - print designer, textile designer, poster designer.

Other industries - Graphics coordinator, multimedia designer, film title designer, photography, broadcast designer, visual image developer. Emojis designer.

I would like to focus on:

Multimedia designer -  A mixture of all trades, from television to set design to production design.

Marketing executive - creating promotional materials, like coupons or ads that show shoppers what the latest sales are. Brading / logo designing 

Visual image developer - similar to an illustrator, uses techniques like image editing, photography and 3D modelling to show a concept.

Progression opportunities

Freelance opportunities (you work for someone else on a job by job basis)

Freelancing is not ideal straight after Sixth Form as more experience is required. If not attending University focus should be given to a specific niche or speciality. Developing a deeper knowledge of a specific skill set could give a competitive advantage.

Master software particularly Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Particularly necessary if not taking a degree route. Invest in a good computer. Commonly an Apple Mac in this sector.

Develop a style and build an online portfolio. If necessary take logos, website or posters and place them beside your own improved versions as examples - just need to state it’s an unsolicited design. Essentially creating an online shop front to display your work and start networking.

Work experience will really help any freelance opportunities.

Possible business opportunities (You set up a company)

Not really applicable after Sixth Form unless Freelance work takes off and expansion required.

Employment opportunities (permanent or salaried job)

Employment opportunities applicable following sixth form college or degree course.

Apprenticeship/Entry level options:
Trainee graphic designer
Graphic design apprentice
Artworker apprentice
Junior graphic designer

KickStart scheme may offer opportunities but nothing at the moment.

Higher education options

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

Graphic Design (BA Honours)

Norwich University of the Arts (NUA)

Graphic Communication (BA Honours)

Graphic Design (BA Honours)

University of Arts London (UAL)

Graphic Design (BA Honours)

Current Opportunities

Apprenticeships are hard to come by in the media industry, but they would be what I want the most as I can get out there and gain practice to show off for a showreel of my work or work I have helped with.