You’ve always been naturally creative. You were the one getting in trouble in grade school for doodling illustrations on your math homework instead of paying attention to the long-division problem on the chalkboard. As you got older, it’s more than likely that you excelled in art class—and not only that, but you also enjoyed it!

If you’re considering becoming a graphic designer, you’ve picked an excellent career to mull over. Graphic designers create visual concepts to communicate ideas that inspire and inform customers. They generally use computer software, but many graphic designers are pretty handy in the drawing department as well. These skills can be used to make a decent living—in 2020, the median annual salary for graphic designers was $53,380, according to theBureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).¹Graphic designers can also advance to becomeart directorsand creative directors, positions that come with greater creative oversight and a higher salary.

但薪水不是唯一重要的事情。有大量的特权是图形设计师 - 所有与职位相关的职位和生活方式相关。那么如果你选择这个职业道路，那么店里是什么？这项工作是您正在寻找的优势类型的好处吗？请继续阅读，了解有关图形设计师的奖金。

8 perks of being a graphic designer

Whether big or small, these benefits to working in graphic design shouldn’t be overlooked. Read on to learn more about some of the potential positives.

1. Your employment isn’t tied to just one industry

Companies across a huge variety of industries need to promote their brands. This means that they need logos, brand guidelines and tons of other important visual materials to support them. This means there’s plenty of opportunity to work for clients across a wide variety of industries—one day you may be whipping up a promotional poster for a charity event and the next you could be working on a logo for a healthcare company.

If you’re the kind of person who has a wide range of interests and is always itching to learn something new, graphic design could provide the right outlet for you, allowing you to learn about what makes different industries tick. Paula Glynn,business coach and director of search marketing and digital strategy, loves how working within different industries keep her inspired. “I always learn something new from my clients and it has helped me grow as a designer and as a person,” she says.

Adding to this potential variety is the huge market for web graphics. No matter the industry, a website and social media presence are essential for developing a brand—which means plenty of potential project sources for graphic designers.

2. You can work in multiple environments

The way work comes to graphic designers is pretty unique. You may find yourself as part of a small, in-house team working strictly for a single client or in a fast-paced agency environment that works with multiple clients with their own distinct visual feel. Freelancing is also an option for designers who would like to tap into their entrepreneurial spirit from the comfort of home. Each of these work environments have their pros and cons, so务必阅读差异.

3. You can choose to be self-employed

Not only can you work in a variety of environments, but also many designers find that they prefer to be their own boss and choose to start their own freelance business. Not only does this mean you can work from home or your local coffee shop, but it also means you can set your own prices and hours.

Keep in mind, however, that with the freedom of self-employment comes the responsibility of all the administrative work that comes with being your own boss: sending invoices, following up with clients, setting aside money for taxes and more. It might not be for everyone, but many do find this trade off completely worth the extra administrative work. “Navigating the business side of design has pushed me to be more resourceful, resilient and more conscious of my clients’ needs and business goals. The payoff is well worth the effort,” says我ndependent designer and art directorCathylynne Ahlgren.

4. You have many specialties to choose from

图形设计人员可以专注于某种类型的设计，如果他们喜欢：typography，网页设计，插图，user experience design, 3D packaging and more. Others limit themselves by only using one palette or specific materials.

A specialization will make you an in-demand team member or freelancer; however, if you’re skilled in a variety of these areas, your versatility can help your employability.

5. It’s not boring

When it comes to graphic design, there are always new technologies and trends to learn. Style and aesthetic change so quickly in American culture, and technology shifts and evolves just as quickly. If you want to stay relevant, it’s essential to keep up with the times and make sure you’re ready for whatever is up and coming. Having a curious mind and a teachable spirit will take you a long way in this profession.

Each day you work is different. One of the things that Matthew Paton, former graphic designer and current founder ofHypernia, liked most about design was how unique each day was. From presenting your designs to eager clients to brainstorming your next design, he was hardly ever bored. “It’s hard to find a job that provides such variety to everyday life”.

你可以表达自己

设计师通过定期表达他们的创造力 - 这是工作的本质！你有很多创意想法和你想尝试的概念，这项工作允许你给他们一个机会。虽然您的客户的需求可能仍然可以保持一些更多的奢侈的创造性冲动，但它仍然令人满意，以创造目测吸引力和对您所拥有的东西。

“Clients don’t often know what they want until they see it. It’s my job to translate their ideas into a design and love that,” says Ahlgren.

Many graphic designers considered becoming artists early in their careers, but find that they get more eyes on their work and more consistent work as a graphic designer.

“我原本是一个美术专业，但很快意识到艺术的艺术的缘故很无聊，”Richard Williamson说：Richard Williamson，首席营销策略师公民高中. “I love to draw and paint, but in reality, that affects such a small number of people that it’s almost like talking to yourself. Graphic design, however, is at the heart of everything that goes on in our culture: television, news, the internet, education, advertising.”

7. You can create things for yourself, friends and family without having to outsource

Chances are good that, at some point, someone in your circle of friends and family will need a logo, t-shirt design, website or some other design venture that you could be able to help out with. Through your design skills, you won’t need to hire someone to create your wedding invitations or design your business logo—your skills make you a built-in bonus for those around you.

杰夫Greenhouse, vice president of subscriber growth at AMC Networks, says he’s been able to put his design skills to use outside of work frequently.

“As a parent, I get to constantly amaze my children by creating custom designs for their birthdays, special occasions or fun projects at home,” Greenhouse says. “As a member of my community, I have volunteered my design skills to help out with various initiatives.”

Be careful not to let people take advantage of you, however. There’s a time and place for favors, but if someone is repeatedly coming to you for work you could make money doing, you’ll need to set some boundaries.

8. You have concrete proof of your abilities

One overlooked, yet appealing aspect of being a graphic designer is that the job is absolutely a “show me” career. You can display your best work ina portfolio为了平息许多担忧，潜在客户可能对你的能力有关。有形证明您的能力是一个资产 - 例如，会计师无法真正展示他们处理复杂税法的能力。图形设计人员有能力证明他们的技能 - 这将电力放在手中。如果您想向您展示排版的诀窍，可以创建示例而不是尝试将其列为恢复上的符号点。

Plus, it’s gratifying to see your work come to life whether it’s a website or on a supermarket shelf. “It’s very satisfying to see something that was once an idea come to fruition,” says Maya Stern, CEO of创意海军.

9.你将永远是合作的

While sitting on your own and designing may seem like a lonesome task, you’ll always be collaborating with both the client and other creative individuals through the design process. You’ll get to know your client well and develop a rapport and a rewarding relationship with them.

Plus, you’ll work with copywriters, developers, and other creative professionals. Hearing their insights will help you create a better design. Their ideas may even inspire you. “Each person brings a valued skill to the table,” says Ahlgren.

但是这值得吗？

Now that you’ve read about some of the perks of being a graphic designer, it’s probably just as clear to you as it is to us: This creative profession has a lot going for it.

If you’re considering what it might mean to begin a career in graphic design, take some time to read more first-hand advice from creative professionals in our article, “How to Become a Graphic Designer: Career Advice from Creative Pros.”

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed August, 2021]www.bls.gov/ooh/. Information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.