Career Choices for the Visual Communication Design Student

Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree in Visual Communication Design are prepared for a variety of careers. We list the following types of services to illustrate the wide range of possibilities that exist. Please note that the following are not academic majors; rather, they are career paths that Visual Communication Design students may choose to pursue upon graduation.

Animator
Draws animated cartoons for use in motion pictures or television. Also, renders series of sequential drawings which become animated.

Architect
Provides professional services in research, development, design, construction, alteration, or repair of real estate property such as office buildings and private residences.

Architectural Graphic Designer
Works with architects using type and color to design the graphic symbols that identify buildings. May also design presentation brochures and other materials.

Art Director
Formulates concepts and supervises workers engaged in making layout designs for artwork or copy to be presented by visual communications such as books or magazines.

Art Therapist
Provides a therapeutic service by enabling others to make art. May work in abuse clinics, general hospitals, shelters, and alcohol treatment centers. Helps others to express themselves by making art and may be used as a treatment plan.

Book Designer
Specializes in use of typography to transform a typewritten manuscript into a book balancing type and illustrations on pages.

Cartoonist
Has a unique point of view and ability to illustrate in a pen-and-ink technique. May do spot drawings on a freelance basis or by syndicated as a comic-strip artist.

Clothing/Fashion Designer
Designs garments, shoes, handbags, and other accessories. Also makes rough and detailed drawings and writes specifications describing the items' factors like color.

Commercial Artist
Draws or paints illustrations for use by various media to explain printed or spoken words. Studies layouts and sketches of proposed illustrations and determines style, technique, and medium to produce desired effects and conforms with their requirements.

Costume Designer
Conducts research and designs authentic costumes depending on scenes. The costumes are worn in plays, the stage, concert, and television.

Designer Engineer
Designs machinery, systems, processes, and other products for efficient and economical performances. Also, designs industrial machinery and tools used to manufacture goods. Designs, plans, and supervises construction of buildings, highways, and rapid transit systems. Designs consumer products such as automobiles and also does automation of manufacturing, business, and management processes.

Desktop Publisher
Desktop publishers prepare graphic materials such as: brochures, flyers, calendars, advertisements, newsletters, books, proposals, business cards, forms and the like. Desktop publishers may also service clients in word processing services. They use computers, laser printers and sophisticated software programs to produce high quality graphic materials for their clients. They format and combine text, numerical data, photographs, charts and other visuals. Written skills are very important especially if a desktop publisher needs to write and edit text. A desktop publisher may be asked to create graphics or special effects, convert photographs and drawings into digital images, or manipulate the graphics. Their job may also consist of designing page layouts, developing presentations, typeset and color separation, and translating electronic information onto films. If designing for the web, HTML is very important to know. The knowledge of cameras, scanners and other external hardware should be learned to improve desktop publishing skills.

Drafter
Develops detailed design drawings and related specifications of mechanical equipment. Often calculates strength, quality, quantity, and cost of materials.

Furniture Designer
Designs furniture for manufacturer and shows knowledge of different design trends. Sketches detail of the article and then originates scale and proposes blueprints for the manufacturer.

Game Designer/Developer
There are many elements of a game developer. These consist of:

  • A programmer who is the heart of game development, the one who brings the work of the artist alive.
  • The artist (or animator), the ones who draw and design the figures.
  • The musician who makes the music and sound effects.
  • The producer who oversees game development and sees everything is running smoothly. In some cases, the programmer or artist may be the producer of the fame.
  • The designer is a loose term that can also mean the producer, programmer, or artist working on the game.
  • Play tester (beta tester) who plays the in progress game or working game for errors.

Graphic Designer
Design art and layouts for material to be presented. Studies illustrations to plan presentations using design concepts.

Industrial Designer
Originates and develops ideas to design the form of manufactured products. Establishes design concepts with other workers in other departments such as marketing.

Interior Designer
Plans, designs, and furnishes environments of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Works with clients to determine architectural designs and subcontracts fabrication, installation, and arrangement of interior items.

Landscape Architect
Gives professional advice on land-planning problems; selects suitable sites and makes preliminary studies, reports, sketches, and models. Also, prepares "working" drawings, cost estimates, specifications for contactor's bids, and supervises construction and quality of work.

Legal Photographer
Works for lawyers and photographs accidents, crime scenes, and any other areas where the lawyer needs a visual record. Not only needs knowledge of photography, but also some knowledge of legal areas as well.

Medical Photographer
Photographs medical phenomena to provide illustrations for scientific publications. Makes still and motion pictures of patient's anatomical structures.

Museum Director/Curator/Archivist
Archivists are responsible for collecting, organizing, cataloging, preserving, and finally storing historical documents and other important records for museums, libraries, and other institutions interested in preserving these records. Some specialize in a particular type of document, such as letters, manuscripts or films. They research and analyze collections and prepare exhibits. Curators and museum directors take care of the administration of a museum or gallery. They acquire, authenticate, and evaluate collections, arrange and oversee exhibitions, and write grants and proposals. Conservators clean, restore and take care of the physical condition of the collection. Archivists, curators and conservators require advanced degrees in museum studies, but a solid background in the subject is also valued.

Museum Exhibit Designer
Designs display for periods in art history. Must have basic knowledge of graphic design, type, color, and color drafting.

News Photographer/Photojournalist
Photographs newsworthy events, locations, individuals, educational, or other materials for use in publications and telecast.

Product Illustrator
Uses any required medium to make realistic presentations of manufactured items such as toys, automobiles, and garden equipment.

Staff Designer
Employed by large companies, hotels, and franchises to plan and coordinate interiors, furniture, and accessories in their buildings.

Textile Stylist
Originates designs for fabrication of cloth; specifies weave patterns, color, and gauge of thread to produce new fabrics according to functional requirements and fashion preferences.