What is graphic design and how does the business work?

Question

How good do you have to be do be in the graphic design business? Like what do you actually learn in a universty that teaches about graphic design?

And are most graphic designers freelancers? B/c I wouldnt wanna be a freelancer. Like if you get accepted at a company, what exactly do you do?

I mess with photoshop on my own time, so Ionno how great you have to be to be in this field... Heres some of my stuff:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/devise

Do you have to be great like these guys?:

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/08/21/creativity-spark-from-masters-of-graphic-design/

Answer 1

Here is a link to a lot of information on graphic designers, including the nature of the work, employment options and earning potential.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm

As with any field, there are a lot of career options. Much depends on your individual abilities and the kind of companies you apply with. The most talented designers will hold the top positions, such as art director for a major publication. Others, who are maybe more technically proficient than creatively inclined, serve more supportive roles such as pre-press operators or production artists.

Answer 2

I'm not sure of the answer to this question as I'm what some people call a freelance graphic designer (I'm not, really!) and am self-employed. I began with fiddling around with photoshop (like you) and made myself a little business out of it.

But I just wanted to say that I think your work is great. If you were given the right project, I think you could definately, and quite easily, be "great like these guys".

Good luck