In the future I’d like to become a graphic designer specialist because I would like to work in a job that is related to art, as it is something I enjoy. I believe being a graphic designer is the best thing I can do in the arts field because you have to use your creativity and skills to meet a certain goal. Being a graphic designer means I would go through a lot of risk and rejection, as clients have a strong idea of what they want and if you can’t grasp the concept and do a good job of the project they give you, you would fail and have a bad reputation to other clients. A successful graphic designer has an enviable life, choosing clients and earning significant amounts of money. This is quite hard, though as an artist style can be hot one season and old the next. This is why to be successful in this career you need to be constantly changing for the better. The majority of graphic designers have a four-year degree, usually in product design, art, or art history. Graphic designers must have talent and an understanding of the business world, including issues of finance and production, and should be familiar with computer software such as Photoshop. Basic pre-professional coursework should include design, drawing, and computer artwork, among others. Every graphic designer should have a working portfolio to demonstrate their abilities to possible clients. Some good schools nearby to gain this degree would be the Art Institute of Houston or the University of Houston. Houston is probably where I would live once I gained a little experience, since I’d have more chance to find clients in a bigger city. Graphic design covers a wide range of things to design such as products in stores, websites, even illustrations in medical textbooks or commercial billboards. This is why it is best to specialize in one field, but be open to new opportunities.
Graphic designers get an average of $46 thousand for Base Salary and bonuses of 7 hundred. Also, they get $6 thousand on health care and $2 pension. Working hours are varied as designers employed by large advertising, publishing, or design firms usually work regular hours, and designers working for smaller businesses or clients tend to work more hours. Often, you have to adjust your schedule to meet your client’s schedules and deadlines. My main reasons for being a designer would be because I enjoy art and expressing myself through it. Also, that being a designer would let e use my skills to create my own unique work and that can be very rewarding. You can also work your way up to become more known and successful, as well as gaining contacts in the art world, and this would come in useful if I decide to change my job. I would also gain experience and grow each time I tried something new. Some bad things about it would be that you have to constantly be rushing to meet deadlines, so you have to work well under pressure. Also not everyone will like your work so you will probably face rejection often, not to mention the fierce competition striving to steal your client.

I believe being a graphic designer is a very good option for me to have as a job because I would be doing something I enjoy. The list of things I could have as future projects is long and varied so it would be something new and interesting every day. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll see one of my designs in a magazine or at the store.

Reason is, I’m making a flash website for them, despite the fact no one in the company knows flash but I’m still held to delivering it to a professional deadline and standard. I’ve never made a website before (don’t even want to be a web designer) and they let me work on it for three weeks before completely changing the majority of the structure and expecting all this reversed and modified in two days. This way they save £7,000 instead of giving it to a web design firm.

Am I justified in wanting the hell out of there?

So I have a couple questions:
First, do most large companies hire advertising firms, or do some have internal marketing/advertising employees?
Secondly, what are the roles of a Marketer? Do they actually design the images and advertisements, or is that soley for the graphic designer?

Thanks to all for helping a confused college student!

I have 20+ years self employed experience in graphic arts, illustration, design (Mac) – as well as copy-writing, art direction.. I currently work mostly for fashion, retail and travel clients, I have a strong work ethic.. I know there is a lot of English marketing and design already in Japan and with my experience I imagine I would be a terrific asset to a small firm.. I can also draw “kawaee” little logo characters, and do a lot of “youth-oreinted’ kind of work.
any ideas if I could find work easily? what kind of pay?

If I were to re-locate and cash out my assets here, would have in the neighbourhood of 50million Yen. How easy would it be for a Gaijin to buy a home or start a (izakaya) business with that kind of money?

domo arigato – okini! ; )

Additional Information:
I am looking to work in a graphic media or graphic design firm. I need to make some real money because I do have student loans and my own living expenses.

I don’t have any school work in my portfolio, it has been nearly 2 years since my graduation.. if I bring some of the ads i created at my current job..will those be acceptable?

ultimately i want to work as a magazine layout artist, do ad design, and possibly do some digital photo retouching on the side.

any and all suggestions would be appreciated! =)
also insights from designers in the field are most welcome!