You've graduated with your graphic design degree in hand, and now you, along with millions of other recent college graduates, are looking for a job. Fortunately, the field of graphic design continues to expand at a steady pace. Traditional media such as magazines, newspapers, and book covers still provide steady source of work, but more and more jobs are related to movies, video games, TV, computers, and internet-specific media. Basically, there's a niche for whatever an aspiring graphic designer's heart desires. If you can imagine it, someone is selling it, and that someone needs a strong and compelling design to reel the buyers in.

261,000 graphic designers were working in the U.S. in 2006, and 25% of those were freelancers. Apparently, more people prefer the steadier hours and team environment of a graphic design company to the flexible but often arduous status of self-employment.

It's a competitive field. Not only are there hordes of talented graphic designers out there, but when it comes down to it, each customer has personal preferences and has enough options to be very choosy about who they hire, what styles they want, and how quickly they want it done. The most successful graphic designers will need to be technology-savvy as the field leans towards web applications and products. It doesn't hurt to have some training in business or communications as well, because you might have to be your own salesperson.

"Somewhere in the world is the world's worst doctor. And someone has an appointment with him tomorrow." - George Carlin
Someone failed that mysterious doctor by not sending him to a good school. We make sure you get the education you need, and if you can't travel or have to work during the day, education might be for you. There are many great photography colleges. You can get a bachelor or masters at an one of the excellent interior design degree programs. Fashion only has a location in time, which is why you can excel in one of the online fashion design degree programs. Students all over the world are getting degrees from one of the film colleges and there is an emerging trend towards digital media focused graphic design degree programs. While the component presents a challenge, there are great performing arts degree programs. Many students are working during the day who attend one of our architecture classes, and the web is the place to be for game design classes.

Where should you go to find who's hiring? Graphic designers make a strong showing in Washington D.C., Vermont, New York, Utah, and California. The best paid of the bunch reside in the San Francisco metropolitan area, with New York City and parts of Massachusetts also boasting high salaries.

Take a more in-depth look at how much graphic designers are making.