Options with graphic design
Over the course of your degree you develop a good mix of subject-specific and technical skills as well as transferable core skills such as:
Students often submit items to external exhibitions and competitions and many courses also offer the chance to focus on promoting yourself and your work in preparation for entering employment.
If you don’t have a full-time contract after you graduate or if you have not enrolled on a postgraduate degree, there are always plenty of opportunities. You could try and get some work experience or do some voluntary work, probably working for a film production company, television channel or even a magazine. You could perhaps take some time off, do some travelling or volunteer abroad. Finally, you may work in a completely different sector that you find more attractive.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
A graphics qualification can give you the chance to go straight into permanent full-time work in graphics or related areas such as web design/development or illustration. However, these opportunities are highly competitive and are often not widely advertised and some employers want graduates to have a mix of skills across several design disciplines.
A 2011 HESA survey of 2010 graduates show that, six months after graduation, over 70% of graphic design graduates were in full or part-time employment, and of these over three-quarters were working in the area of art and design. A common way of finding work is to do a placement or internship to build up experience, make contacts and add to your portfolio. Participating in relevant competitions can help you to promote yourself and build up your contacts.
In the private sector you can work with design consultancies, studios, advertising agencies, PR agencies and publishers. In the public sector, jobs exist in museums, local authorities, schools, colleges and hospitals.
For an insight into employment areas see:
See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do? and your degree...what next?
A 2011 destination survey shows that nearly 4% of recent graphics graduates had gone into some form of further study. Some chose a Masters degree to develop their work, gain a more in-depth knowledge of a specialist topic, e.g. typography or illustration, or move into a related area such as multimedia.
Some Masters allow you to collaborate, either formally or informally, with other creatives such as fine artists or film makers. Additionally, a Masters also gives the student additional time to enhance their portfolios and build a bigger network of contacts in the industry. A part-time MA is a way of combining study with work experience.
Comparatively few graphics graduates go on to do a PhD especially if they are interested in teaching but it will certainly not guarantee a job in the profession. Short, further education courses to learn or polish up different computer packages are another popular option.
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgrad study and search courses and research to identify your options.
Look at funding my further study for details relating to finance and the application process.
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