Graphic design represents a unique fusion of creative and technology with virtually unlimited career potential. If you're dream job involves using drawn, painted, photographed, or computer-generated images to communicate meaningful messaging, then this is your profession. Here's more on how you can turn your talents into lucrative income stream.

Graphic Design Career 411
Sale sheets. Brochures. Web pages. Video games. The project assignments for graphic designers run the gamut. Designers are charged with finding the aesthetic balance between imagery and messaging to convey information in a meaningful way. According to the AIGA, the professional association for design, graphic design is a creative process that combines art and technology to communicate ideas. Experts in the field of communication emphasize the structure of messages in successfully establishing a brand--one of the primary duties of the talented graphic designer. As you might expect, formal training in a wide range of design tools increases professional value.

Where Graphic Designers Operate
You'd be surprised at the opportunities that exist for graphic designers across industries. Basically, any organization that forms a relationship with an audience will benefit from your skill set. As digital technologies continue to flourish, those designers with Internet skills should have a decided advantage.

The industries that regularly employ graphic design pros to create high-impact communication pieces include:

    * Advertising, public relations and related services

    * Computer systems design and related services

    * Newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishers

    * Printing and related support activities

    * Specialized design services

The Demand for Graphic Designers
With respect to employment, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) paints a positive picture for high school grads and mid-career changers. The BLS reveals that employment of graphic designers is projected to increase by 10 percent through 2016; that's about as fast as the national average for all occupations. Advertisers, publishers, and computer design firms should offer the best hiring opportunities for professionals in the field.

The Income Potential
On the salary front, professionals in this field earned $42,400 as of May 2008 according to the BLS. In the same year, the bottom 10 percent earned $26,110 while the top 10 percent earned $74,660. Several factors influence income, including geographic location, experience, formal training, and working environment.

The industries offering the highest salary levels for trained graphic design professionals include:

    * Federal executive branch at $70,820

    * Motion picture and video industries at $62,130

    * Aerospace product and parts manufacturing at $62,030

    * Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services at $57,230

    * Non-depository credit intermediation at $57,170

Graphic design is so much more than basic artistic talent. It's understanding your target audience and communicating in a way that moves them to action. While natural ability is valued, the learned techniques you'll pick up along the way that should give you the edge in a competitive hiring market.