“But, I’m Just a Designer.”

If you're considering a career in graphic design, you obviously have a great interest, talent and/or skill in art. However, it's important to remember that a successful career in graphic design in much more than just being talented. Unfortunately, being talented with an eye for design and color is a very small part of the career as a whole. You must start thinking in more broad strokes that just creating nifty creative things. If you only want to sit at the computer and create and, more than likely produce another persons idea, that's great. But, don't expect to get a corner office, expense paid trips for photo shoots and a six-figure income. A production artist is typically paid between $25,000 to $40,000 annually. Oh, you wanted to know more about the six-figure income? Learn public speaking. (huh?) “Ye who gets paid more, knows how to talk” Learn to SELL your ideas and design. Learn to talk the client's language. My first great mentor and creative director, Bob Leu, always said, “Sell the sizzle; not the steak!” The key word is SELL. Unless you can talk the talk, you'll be a production artist struggling to make ends meet; not that there’s anything wrong with that! You must communicate in a marketing language; get the clients to believe in you're opinion. If you can’t accomplish and respectable report with your client, the client will dictate the design to you, regardless of your opinion. If you can get a good mentor and make a commitment to learning how to speak to large groups of people, you'll get followers. Followers mean loyal clients and loyal clients mean YOU will be the all important connection between the client and the agency. The more valuable you make yourself; the more you'll be rewarded. Join the conversation! Comment below!