| Graphic web design is a highly lucrative profession, | | | | Web site designo Commercial graphics production |
| because the World Wide Web is quickly becoming the | | | | For potential graphic designers who already have a |
| most important tool any organization, business, or | | | | bachelor's degree, a two-year associates degree in |
| individual has to get a message out to the public. Many | | | | graphic design may be sufficient, provided it comes |
| of today's graphic designers are almost entirely | | | | from a professional school. |
| self-taught, and this is entirely possible to do, but if you | | | | In addition, graphic web designers must keep |
| want to be viewed as an expert, you will need some | | | | themselves current on the software used to design |
| formal education and on-the-job training. | | | | websites. Because this is constantly changing, these |
| Internal Qualifications | | | | professionals often pursue continuing education through |
| Anyone can pursue a degree in graphic design, but not | | | | seminars, training programs, and webinars that show |
| everyone has what it takes to be a graphic web | | | | them how to use the newest programming. |
| designer. Individuals who do well in this career must be | | | | On the Job Training |
| creative, because every website is going to be | | | | Becoming a true expert in the field of graphic web |
| different. They also must be good communicators, | | | | design requires practice. Some web designers will |
| because they must be able to talk to clients in order to | | | | work alongside professional graphic designers as |
| determine what their exact needs or desires are, even | | | | assistants or interns in order to learn the ropes. Others |
| when clients are not always sure what it is they want. | | | | will do side jobs for friends and family members for |
| An ability to put ideas into visible forms is a must, and | | | | free or at a very low price so that they can gain |
| web designers who pursue graphic arts must also be | | | | some experience and some websites to link to in their |
| skilled with using computers, web interfaces, graphics | | | | portfolios. In general, one to three years of practical |
| software, and design software. Problem solving skills | | | | experience is required before someone is viewed as |
| are another must for this field. Finally, graphic web | | | | an expert. |
| designers have to have an eye for detail. | | | | Portfolio |
| Formal Education | | | | A graphic web design career centers on a winning |
| Graphic designers absolutely must have a bachelor's | | | | portfolio. The images and websites in a professional's |
| degree in graphic arts. Those who want to use their | | | | portfolio speak for themselves, lending credence to an |
| skills to design websites may want to minor in IT or | | | | individual's academic qualifications more than a resume, |
| computer sciences, if possible. The major needs to be | | | | letter of recommendation, or any other professional |
| graphic arts, however, because this is the most | | | | certification can do. Beginning designers need to focus |
| complex part of the work. | | | | on building a quality portfolio that showcases their work |
| A typical graphic arts program will include the following | | | | well, and soon they will be viewed as experts in a |
| courses or studies:o Principles of designo | | | | highly competitive field. |
| Computerized designo Studio arto Printing techniqueso | | | | |