What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design, also known as communication design, is the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. The form of the communication can be physical or virtual, and may include images, words, or graphic forms. The experience can take place in an instant or over a long period of time. The work can happen at any scale, from the design of a single postage stamp to a national postal signage system, or from a company’s digital avatar to the sprawling and interlinked digital and physical content of an international newspaper. It can also be for any purpose, whether commercial, educational, cultural, or political.

What Do Graphic Designers Do?

Graphic designers, in people’s minds, often get lumped together with fine artists – when the truth is that we’re almost opposites. Artists create to inspire, to emote, to share something that’s uniquely theirs with the world – and the best art lets each viewer find their own interpretation.

Designers, on the other hand, create to communicate – we’re visual-thinking problem solvers, and if people are interpreting our message in their own unique ways, well, then we’re just not very good at our job. This field is closely related to marketing and often create marketing images. Some of the items graphic designers create are:

Logos
Flyers
Brochures
Posters
Branding
Illustrations
Printing
Concept Art

Packaging Design
Mailers Invitations
Event Marketing
Books
Photography
Image Editing
T-Shirt Designs

And more!

How Much Can I Make?

Graphic Designers

Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos and websites

Median annual salary: $57,830

Art Directors

Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information and presentation approaches

Median annual salary: $143,963

Multimedia Artists/animators

Design complex graphics and animation using computer animation or modeling programs

Median annual salary: $53,412

Marketing Specialists

Collect and analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs and buying habits

Median annual salary: $53,433 Some careers require additional education after high school

Software Quality Assurance Testers

Design test plans, scenarios, scripts or procedures

Median annual salary: $89,962

Software Applications Developers

Responsible for design, development and modification of software systems

Median annual salary: $88,094

Public Relations Specialists

Prepare or edit organizational publications for internal and external audiences

Median annual salary: $63,047

Marketing Managers

Identify, develop or evaluate marketing strategies

Median annual salary: $135,050

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Work with various departments to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products

Median annual salary: $104,164

Why CTHS?

The graphic design program at CTHS is a 4 year program that has a lab of 27" Mac computers. Students have the option to work on Wacom tablets for drawing or may use personal devices to complete designs. The lab is a large room where we hold group critique, print and create all kinds of artwork. Students are able to work with industry standard equipment and create a print and online portfolio senior year. Upon graduation 12th Grade students walk the stage with an Adobe Illustrator Certification and, optionally, a Photoshop one as well!