- Established in 1914 in New York City by a group of designers led by Charles DeKay.
- Mission statement:
- Represents designers and other people who partake in the business of graphic design and provides support for people who indulge in the graphic design industry.
- Dues must be paid in order to become a member; dues vary depending on type of member. Student members can publish their portfolios and gain exposure to the industry. Also, it is possible to find jobs/ internships here.
- One publication is Design for Democracy by Marcia Lausen. It talks about using design properly in the election process.
- The organization will help with giving good jobs to its members that promote the importance of design.
- Useful articles and publications for AIGA can be found at this web address:
Production Artist:
- They make labels for products in the market that make it look appealing.
- You need a certificate program or associate's degree in order to join the profession.
- Salary: about $50,000-70,000 a year.
- This is the first step in becoming a graphic designer.
Graphic Designer:
- Assembles together text and visuals for a message
- They need to know the various design softwares and be able to visually communicate. A bachelor degree is needed. Can move up with experience. Art history and foreign language are recommended.
- Salary varies; may be $26,000 or less.
Art director:
- They work in visual communication in websites, newspapers, billboards, magazine layouts
- They come up with visual layouts, design concepts, and presentation.
- A bachelor's degree and several years of work experience is needed. Degrees in fine arts, design, and digital media are desired.
- Salary: Junior: 25,000-55,000, Senior: 35,000-120,000
Illustrator:
- They create technical and nontechnical products for all kinds of media. They illustrate for greeting cards, and textbooks.
- A degree in illustration, graphic design, or animation is required. Artistic, technical, and social skills are needed. The ability to visualize and produce artwork based on dictated concepts is also important.
- Salary: 30,000-50,000 and possibly up to 80,000.
Web designer:
- Create the look of websites.
- Bachelor's degree required. Background in graphic design is needed. High school opportunities like the school website are recommended.
- You could later become a Web manager or an Internet consultant.
- Salary: 45,000-81,000
- Need to know how to use Illustrator, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver
Package designer:
- Design the packaging of products
- Bachelor's design in industrial design or a similar field
- Salary: 33,000-75,000.
Comic book artist:
- No art degree is not needed. They look for someone who can draw figures in action, buildings, and detailed backgrounds properly.
- Someone involved in any step in creating a comic book or comic strip.
- Larger companies give 50,000; starting amount is 12,000.
Computer animation:
- They use computers to create 3-D graphics and images.
- They need to be good with working with clients
- Salary: 32,000-99,000
- A bachelor's degree is needed.
Publication designer:
- They design the layout of content in publications like magazines.
- They need to have a bachelor's degree in graphic design.
- An education in typography and color principles and graphic design is also needed.
- The starting salary is 23,000, and the highest salary is 85,000.
Freelance:
- An artist that works hands-on with a client for a short-term period
- Calls for self-motivation
- A high school/college education is recommended
- Average salary: 57,000
Storyboard artist:
- A beginner type job that makes sketches for movies and production agencies.
- Bachelor's degree, background classes in drawing, film, and art
- Salary: 25,000-80,000.
- They can work in offices or studios.
Creative director:
- Next level in graphic design industry; manager of department. Meet with clients, do design pitches, help with critiquing
- Degree for graphic design, lots of experience
- Salary: 150,000
PIAG (Printing and Imaging Association of Georgia):
- They fold and cut many things for industrial and business requirements
- Require experience and education in graphic design field
- Have to sign up on a website
- They are the voice of Georgia's printing industry.
- Supports the printing industry
SPD (Society of Publication Designers):
- Established in 1965
- Represents art directors, designers, photo editors, editors, and graphic professionals
- Concentrates on visual concerns of online editorials
- Professional/student membership is possible.
- You can put work on websites.
Copywriter:
- Write copies for the purpose of marketing and advertising.
- Work as a team for art directors and directly with clients.
- Salary: 32,000-45,000.
- Requires degree in arts and media.
- After promotion, title changes to associative creative director or creative director
Portrait photographer:
- Take pictures of individuals or groups on location or at studio
- Degree of photography and basic knowledge of photography recommended
- Salary: 26,000-63,000
Documentary photographer:
- Specialize in photography of historical events.
- Organization and willingness to adjust required
- Bachelor's degree
- Salary: 28,000-75,000
Advertising photographer:
- Salary: 27,000-200,000 (Depends on company)
- Takes pictures of promotional materials and/or subjects
- Work on magazine ads, promotional packages, billboards
- Degree in photography; more dependent on skills in photography
Editorial photographer:
- Take pictures for newspapers and magazines; picture relate to articles.
- Salary: 25,000-55,000
- Degree for photography is important, high school diploma is essential
Fashion photographer:
- Aims to represent work of fashion designers to public
- Hired for photos that are used to promote fashion products
- Necessary skills: Need to able to work with models and make them comfortable on set. Knowing about lighting and props is also essential
- Education: Good eye and artistic ability, strong ability to capture a certain mood
- Salary: 50,000-100,000 or more.
- Start off as photographer's assistant.
- Having a portfolio is advisable
- Have to be able to travel around
Photo journalists:
- Provide pictures for stories of news articles that provide clear and truthful images
- Bachelor's degree in photography
- Work is at a newspaper
- Salary: 15,000-50,000
APA (American Photographic Artists):
- A leading national organization run for and by professional photographers
- Supports photographers and offers benefits like health insurance and business insurance; also has discounts for Apple store. Can help with portfolios.
- Costs vary depending on level of experience
Sports photography:
- Travel with sporting games, races
- Take pictures in action of actual events
- Work in studios
- Bachelor's degree in photography,
- Salary: 24,000, depends on renown
PPA (Professional Photographers of America):
- Seeks to help members advance their careers.
- Mission statement: Create a vibrant community of successful photographers by providing education, resources, and industry standards of excellence.
- Helps members seek job opportunities; opens them up to many things that they would not have access to without a membership.
NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals)
- An organization in the Photoshop industry
- Helps with magazines, portraits, and other publications
- Gives discounts based on what computer you use
- Shows tricks in step by step tutorials.
NPPA (National Press Photographers Association)
- An organization for visual journalists trying to enhance their careers
- Supports people in photography, multimedia, or video.
- Has professional and student memberships
- Has a magazine
