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| Job Placement |
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As demand for graphic designers continues to grow, the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics expects employment of artists, designers and related workers to
grow by approximately 10 percent for all occupations through 2016. Annual
wages can range from $26,000 for entry-level locally up to more than
$40,000, depending on experience. Salaries also can vary widely depending
upon industry and location.
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ADP graduates can look forward to exciting, fast-paced career opportunities
throughout Texas and the country. While larger advertising firms are usually
concentrated in major cities such as New York, Dallas or Los Angeles, many
opportunities exist with smaller outfits, including magazines, newspapers,
television stations, printing firms, production houses, outdoor billboard
designers and direct mail advertising operations. In fact, the BLS reports
graphic designers held about 261,000 jobs as of May 2006. Such a career path
is also an excellent way to freelance or work for yourself. About 25 percent
of designers were self-employed, according to the BLS. According to the
American Institute of Graphic Arts, solo designers who freelanced or worked
under contract to another company reported median earnings of $60,000.
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| ADP students use many materials and computer applications to gain the competitive edge, such as: |
- An array of artists' tools and supplies;
- Adobe PhotoShop—for sizing, scanning and manipulating photographs;
- Adobe Illustrator—for designing and maneuvering graphic images and illustrations; and
- QuarkXPress—for crafting ad components like headlines, body copy and artwork.
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| ADP graduates can network through organizations such as the American Advertising Federation, the Advertising Club of Waco, the Texas Fine Arts Association, the Texas Visual Arts Association and the Central Texas Watercolor Society. |
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