NAME OF OCCUPATION:

GRAPHIC DESIGNER
WORK DESCRIPTION: PRIMARY WORK TASKS
Determine size and arrangement
of illustrative material and copy,
and select style and size of type.
Maintain archive of images,
photos, or previous work
products.
Prepare notes and instructions
for workers who assemble and
prepare final layouts for printing.
Produce still and animated
graphics for on-air and taped
portions of television news
broadcasts, using electronic
video equipment.
Photograph layouts, using
camera, to make layout prints for
supervisors or clients.

Prepare illustrations or rough
sketches of material, discussing
them with clients or supervisors
and making necessary changes.
Key information into computer
equipment to create layouts for
client or supervisor.
Study illustrations and
photographs to plan presentation
of materials, products, or
services.
Research new software or
design concepts.
Develop negatives and prints to
produce layout photographs,
using negative and print
developing equipment and tools.

WORK DESCRIPTION: TYPICAL DAY
Develop graphics and
layouts for product
illustrations, company
logos, and Internet
websites.
Use computer software to
generate new images.
Confer with clients to
discuss and determine
layout design.
Draw and print charts,
graphs, illustrations, and
other artwork, using
computer.

Review final layouts and
suggest improvements as
needed.
Create designs,
concepts, and sample
layouts based on
knowledge of layout
principles and esthetic
design concepts.
Mark up, paste, and
assemble final layouts to
prepare layouts for
printer

TRAINING
Education required:
Associate degree
Bachelors of fine
arts degree
What majors are
appropriate:
Agriculture, Agriculture
Operations, and
Related Sciences
Computer and
Information Sciences
and Support Services
Visual and Preforming
Arts
SKILLS AND PERSONALITY TRAITS:
Abilities and Skills:
Understand written work and related
documents
Adjusts actions in relation to others
Talk to others to convey information
effectively
Communicae effectively in writing as
appropriate for the needs of the
audience.
Analyzing needs and product
requirements to create a design

Give full attention to what people say
Take time to understand the points being
made
Ask questions as appropriate
Dont interrupt at inappropriate times
Identify complex problems and review
related information to develop
Evaluate options and implement solutions.
Consider the relative costs and benefits of
potential actions to choose the best one
Use logic and reasoning to identify the
strengths and weaknesses of problems
Understand the implications of new
information for both current and future
problem-solving and decision-making.


Personality
Characteristics:
Artistic
Enterprising
Realistic
WORK SETTING:
Where do people do this
type of work?
Well-lit and comfortable
setting
Studio with access to
computers

How would you describe
the work setting?
Sometimes alone
Sometimes working
with others
Sitting at a computer
for long periods of time

SALARY:
ADVANCEMENT:
Assistant art director
Art director
Design director
Creative director of an
art or design
department
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK:

Outlook (2010-2020)
National = 13% increase in employment

GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY
Is this occupation limited
to certain areas of
country or particular
kinds of places?
Graphic designers can
work anywhere with
access to a computer
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
Certificates

What professional
organizations are related
to this occupation?

What are some of the pros and
cons of this work?
Cons:
You dont
have a
steady
flow of
work
Pros:
You can
be
creative
NAME OF OCCUPATION:
PHOTOGRAPHER

WORK DESCRIPTION: PRIMARY WORK TASKS
1. Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera
focus based on a combination of factors such as
lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type,
and film speed.
2. Create artificial light, using flashes and
reflectors.
3. Review sets of photographs to select the best
work.
4. Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital
images to create desired effects, using
computers and specialized software.
5. Set up, mount, or install photographic equipment
and cameras.
6. Employ a variety of specialized photographic
materials and techniques, including infrared and
ultraviolet films, macro photography,
photogrammetry and sensitometry.
7. Engage in research to develop new
photographic procedures and materials.
8. Set up photographic exhibitions for the purpose
of displaying and selling work.
9. Develop visual aids and charts for use in
lectures or to present evidence in court.
1. Determine desired images and picture
composition, selecting and adjusting subjects,
equipment, and lighting to achieve desired
effects.
2. Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in
good working order.
3. Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and
numbers of exposures needed, using measuring
devices and formulas.
4. Perform maintenance tasks necessary to keep
equipment working properly.
5. Produce computer-readable, digital images from
film, using flatbed scanners and photofinishing
laboratories.
6. Develop and print exposed film, using
chemicals, touchup tools, and developing and
printing equipment, or send film to photofinishing
laboratories for processing.
7. Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and
negatives, using airbrushing and other
techniques.
8. License the use of photographs through stock
photo agencies.
WORK DESCRIPTION: TYPICAL DAY
Take pictures of individuals,
families, and small groups, either
in studio or on location
Scan photographs into
computers for editing, storage,
and electronic transmission
Use traditional or digital
cameras, along with a variety of
equipment such as tripods,
filters, and flash attachments
Mount, frame, laminate, or
lacquer finished photographs.
Photograph legal evidence at
crime scenes, in hospitals, or in
forensic laboratories
Perform general office duties
such as scheduling
appointments, keeping books,
and ordering supplies
Direct activities of workers who
are setting up photographic
equipment
Determine project goals,
locations, and equipment needs
by studying assignments and
consulting with clients or
advertising staff
Select and assemble equipment
and required background
properties, according to subjects,
materials, and conditions
Load and unload film
TRAINING
Education required:
Degree in photography

What majors are
appropriate:
Communication,
Journalism, and
Related Programs
Visual and Preforming
Arts
SKILLS AND PERSONALITY TRAITS:
Abilities and Skills:
Talking to others to convey
information effectively.
Being aware of others' reactions and
understanding why they react as they
do.
Teaching others how to do
something.
Analyzing needs and product
requirements to create a design.

Giving full attention to what other
people are saying, taking time to
understand the points being made,
asking questions as appropriate, and
not interrupting at inappropriate
times.
Considering the relative costs and
benefits of potential actions to choose
the most appropriate one.
Using logic and reasoning to identify
the strengths and weaknesses of
alternative solutions, conclusions or
approaches to problems.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of
yourself, other individuals, or
organizations to make improvements
or take corrective action.
Understanding written sentences and
paragraphs in work related
documents.

Personality
Characteristics:
Artistic
Realistic
WORK SETTING:
Where do people do this
type of work?
Studios
On a set or location of
a event

How would you describe
the work setting?
Chaotic or orderly
depends on where you
are
Uncomfortable
Dangerous

SALARY:
ADVANCEMENT:
assistants to experienced photographers
news photographers editor positions
photography teachers
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK:

Outlook (2010-2020)
National = 12% increase in employment

GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY
Photographers can
work anywhere
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
What professional organizations are related to this
occupation?
American Society of Media Professionals (ASMP)
American Photographic Artists (APA)
Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
Photographic Society of America (PSA)
Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Women in Photography International (WPI)
African-American Photographers Guild (AAPG)
Advertising Photographers of America (APA)
The White House News Photographers
Association (WHNPA)
Association of Independent Architectural
Photographers (AIAP)
Association of Independent Architectural
Photographers (AIAP)
Wedding & Portrait Photographers International
(WPPI)
Editorial Photographers (EP)
What are some of the pros and
cons of this work?
Pros:
You can be
creative
Cons:
It can be
dangerous
You dont
have a steady
flow of work