4 answers
Joseph
Student
1
Question
Updated
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What specific skills or experiences do employers in the graphic arts field value the most in new graduates, and how can I make sure my degree program helps me build those #fall25?
I graduate highschool in May. I have been taking the graphic arts classes the past couple years and I am one of the top students in that class. I would love to make a career out of this and this is what I enrolled to do in College next August. I am from a small town, so I just want to be sure that I am making the right choice, can be successful and make a good career.
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4 answers
Edward Lucky Obi
Product Designer
1
Answer
Miami, Florida
Updated
Edward’s Answer
Hi Joseph,
Here’s what really matters when you’re starting out in the graphic arts world and how your college program can help you build it.
First, build a strong portfolio. Your degree is important, but employers look at the work you’ve actually created. Use your college classes to gather as many real, well-finished projects as possible. Try different areas of design and see what feels natural to you. You can explore things like 2D illustration, 3D art, product design, UI and UX, and graphic design. You’re not limited to one area, but having a clear direction makes your portfolio stronger.
Next, learn to pay close attention to details. The small things in a design usually decide how professional the final result looks. Your projects in school are a good place to practice catching those little details early.
Communication is also a big part of the job. You need to be able to explain your ideas clearly, both through your designs and when talking to classmates, clients, or your team. College projects, group work, and critiques will help you practice this in a comfortable way.
Make sure you become familiar with the tools designers use. Programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and tools like Figma or even Canva are used everywhere. It also helps to get comfortable with AI tools such as ChatGPT or Gemini because they’re already part of the industry. You do not need to learn everything at once. Just start, experiment, and improve as you go.
It also helps to understand the basic principles of design. Things like typography, color theory, layout, contrast, and visual hierarchy will guide every project you make. When you feel stuck or unsure, research what others are doing in the same field and use that as inspiration. Do not copy, just aim to understand and create something better in your own way.
Finally, college will give you the chance to get real experience. School assignments, personal projects, freelance work, volunteer designs, and even internships all teach you how to handle deadlines, feedback, and teamwork. Employers care a lot about that.
You’re already one of the top students in your class and you’ve been doing this for years, so you’re on the right path. If you stay curious, keep practicing, and use college to grow your skills and your portfolio, you can absolutely make a great career in this field.
Good luck on your journey.
Here’s what really matters when you’re starting out in the graphic arts world and how your college program can help you build it.
First, build a strong portfolio. Your degree is important, but employers look at the work you’ve actually created. Use your college classes to gather as many real, well-finished projects as possible. Try different areas of design and see what feels natural to you. You can explore things like 2D illustration, 3D art, product design, UI and UX, and graphic design. You’re not limited to one area, but having a clear direction makes your portfolio stronger.
Next, learn to pay close attention to details. The small things in a design usually decide how professional the final result looks. Your projects in school are a good place to practice catching those little details early.
Communication is also a big part of the job. You need to be able to explain your ideas clearly, both through your designs and when talking to classmates, clients, or your team. College projects, group work, and critiques will help you practice this in a comfortable way.
Make sure you become familiar with the tools designers use. Programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and tools like Figma or even Canva are used everywhere. It also helps to get comfortable with AI tools such as ChatGPT or Gemini because they’re already part of the industry. You do not need to learn everything at once. Just start, experiment, and improve as you go.
It also helps to understand the basic principles of design. Things like typography, color theory, layout, contrast, and visual hierarchy will guide every project you make. When you feel stuck or unsure, research what others are doing in the same field and use that as inspiration. Do not copy, just aim to understand and create something better in your own way.
Finally, college will give you the chance to get real experience. School assignments, personal projects, freelance work, volunteer designs, and even internships all teach you how to handle deadlines, feedback, and teamwork. Employers care a lot about that.
You’re already one of the top students in your class and you’ve been doing this for years, so you’re on the right path. If you stay curious, keep practicing, and use college to grow your skills and your portfolio, you can absolutely make a great career in this field.
Good luck on your journey.
Eloy Costa
Learning Experience Designer
5
Answers
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Updated
Eloy’s Answer
Hi Joseph! That's a great question. What we value most is the ability to commit to projects, and try hard to level up, upskill and improve on your game, specially as you get started as a junior member of any team. You have to make up for your lack of experience and technical skills with a great attitude and willingness to collaborate, make yourself available and have a positive attitude towards others in your team and the projects you tackle together. Professional life is more about attitude than anything else, and you will see that making a difference more often than not.
Mike Cefaratti
Digital Designer
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Hello. Employers mainly look for two things: a good eye for design and a professional attitude. Having just one won't get you far. First, focus on creating quality work in school that shows your design variety. Show employers you can handle different types of projects like mobile apps, animation, websites, kiosks, and videos. Make some work practical and applicable to the real world, while one or two can be more creative. In interviews, employers want to see that you're serious but friendly, not someone with a big ego. Companies need team players who can work well with clients and teammates. Hope this helps, and good luck! You can do it!
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Joseph !
It is wonderful that you will be enrolled at college as a Graphic Arts Major !
Since art is an opinion business, no one can tell you what your success level would be or how your career will go. It is a process that you will have to feel comfortable with and motivated to start and continue with.
During your education and for your portfolio, the types of things you should master are Drawing and sketching, Printmaking, Typography, Digital Art, and design and layout. Even if you've already had some high school level experience with these skills, you will become more advanced in your college major for Graphic Design.
You seem to like this work and do very well in it, so that should be the deciding factor as to whether or not to go into it professionally. Trying to predict or worrying about the future of your career before you've started college can be a barrier that holds you back. Right now, it's important that you keep up with your current class work and art projects and explore more about the work as a career and the market for graphic artists.
You mentioned that you live in a small town but didn't say where, so I am unable to refer you to exact resources. It's fine to go to a local college, but at some point, you're going to want to relocate to a big market for graphic arts. As an actress I did that 3 times, so I know that every time I did it, it was something I really wanted to do. Take things slow and during your college experience, based on opportunities and the people that you meet, relocating may not seem like such a bad thing after all.
For now, make a list of all nearby companies that hire people to do advertising, branding, web design, signage, and publishing. For now, see if you can connect with them to do volunteer work which will mean a lot on your resume, for your portfolio as well as needed experience for future work. And don't be surprised if, during your four years as a college student, you even get some paid projects while being a student. I started getting paid acting work after my sophomore year. College is one of the best ways to professionally network and make contacts.
Start an online and hard copy portfolio for the work you've done thus far and you can add or remove work as you progress showing your best work. Some free online portfolio sites are Behance, Dribbble, Adobe Portfolio, integrated with Creative Cloud, Coroflot, Crevado. Register at Linked In also and create a profile. On there, you can post your work to a feed and you can connect or follow other professionals connected to the Graphic Arts world.
So please do not worry about this career. You can be employed by a company, create your own service business freelancing, do both at the same time. It's not worth trying to predict how it will go, but if you keep up your already found productivity, creativity and are willing to do lots of professional networking, you will have opportunities in the future.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best for this awesome career !
It is wonderful that you will be enrolled at college as a Graphic Arts Major !
Since art is an opinion business, no one can tell you what your success level would be or how your career will go. It is a process that you will have to feel comfortable with and motivated to start and continue with.
During your education and for your portfolio, the types of things you should master are Drawing and sketching, Printmaking, Typography, Digital Art, and design and layout. Even if you've already had some high school level experience with these skills, you will become more advanced in your college major for Graphic Design.
You seem to like this work and do very well in it, so that should be the deciding factor as to whether or not to go into it professionally. Trying to predict or worrying about the future of your career before you've started college can be a barrier that holds you back. Right now, it's important that you keep up with your current class work and art projects and explore more about the work as a career and the market for graphic artists.
You mentioned that you live in a small town but didn't say where, so I am unable to refer you to exact resources. It's fine to go to a local college, but at some point, you're going to want to relocate to a big market for graphic arts. As an actress I did that 3 times, so I know that every time I did it, it was something I really wanted to do. Take things slow and during your college experience, based on opportunities and the people that you meet, relocating may not seem like such a bad thing after all.
For now, make a list of all nearby companies that hire people to do advertising, branding, web design, signage, and publishing. For now, see if you can connect with them to do volunteer work which will mean a lot on your resume, for your portfolio as well as needed experience for future work. And don't be surprised if, during your four years as a college student, you even get some paid projects while being a student. I started getting paid acting work after my sophomore year. College is one of the best ways to professionally network and make contacts.
Start an online and hard copy portfolio for the work you've done thus far and you can add or remove work as you progress showing your best work. Some free online portfolio sites are Behance, Dribbble, Adobe Portfolio, integrated with Creative Cloud, Coroflot, Crevado. Register at Linked In also and create a profile. On there, you can post your work to a feed and you can connect or follow other professionals connected to the Graphic Arts world.
So please do not worry about this career. You can be employed by a company, create your own service business freelancing, do both at the same time. It's not worth trying to predict how it will go, but if you keep up your already found productivity, creativity and are willing to do lots of professional networking, you will have opportunities in the future.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best for this awesome career !