Editing Graphic design (section)

==Occupations==
{{Main article|Graphic design occupations}}

[[File:National Park Service sample pictographs.svg|thumb|Graphic symbols are often [[Form follows function|functionalist]] and anonymous,<ref>{{cite web | last=Currie | first=Nick | title=Design Rockism | url=http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/design-rockism | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405135726/http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/design-rockism | archive-date=5 April 2007}}</ref> as these [[pictograph]]s from the US [[National Park Service]] illustrate.]]

Graphic design career paths cover all parts of the [[creative industries|creative spectrum]] and often overlap. Workers perform specialized tasks, such as design services, publishing, advertising and public relations. As of 2023, median pay was $58,910 per year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Graphic Designers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm |url-status=live |access-date=26 March 2023 |website=www.bls.gov |archive-date=27 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027215647/https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm}}</ref> The main job titles within the industry are often country specific. They can include [[graphic designer]], art director, creative director, animator and entry level [[production artist]]. Depending on the industry served, the responsibilities may have different titles such as "[[DTP associate]]" or "[[Graphic Artist]]". The responsibilities may involve specialized skills such as [[illustration]], photography, animation, [[visual effects]] or [[interactive design]].

Employment in design of online projects was expected to increase by 35% by 2026, while employment in traditional media, such as newspaper and book design, expect to go down by 22%. Graphic designers will be expected to constantly learn new techniques, programs, and methods.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm#tab-6|title=Graphic Designers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|website=www.bls.gov|language=en-us|access-date=27 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027215647/https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm#tab-6|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>

Graphic designers can work within companies devoted specifically to the industry, such as design consultancies or branding agencies, others may work within publishing, marketing or other communications companies. Especially since the introduction of personal computers, many graphic designers work as in-house designers in non-design oriented organizations.  Graphic designers may also work [[Freelancer|freelance]], working on their own terms, prices, ideas, etc.

A graphic designer typically reports to the [[art director]], creative director or [[senior media creative]]. As a designer becomes more senior, they spend less time designing and more time leading and directing other designers on broader creative activities, such as brand development and [[corporate identity]] development. They are often expected to interact more directly with clients, for example taking and interpreting briefs.

===Crowdsourcing in graphic design===
{{Main article|Crowdsourcing creative work}}
Jeff Howe of ''[[Wired Magazine]]'' first used the term "[[crowdsourcing]]" in his 2006 article, "The Rise of Crowdsourcing."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Howe|first=Jeff|title=The Rise of Crowdsourcing|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.06/crowds.html?pg=4&topic=crowds&topic_set=|publisher=WIRED Magazine|access-date=24 October 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209044356/http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.06/crowds.html?pg=4&topic=crowds&topic_set=|archive-date=9 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gilmour|first=Julia|title=The Long History of Crowdsourcing – and Why You're Just Now Hearing About It|date=15 August 2013|url=http://www.crowdsource.com/blog/2013/08/the-long-history-of-crowdsourcing-and-why-youre-just-now-hearing-about-it/|publisher=Crowdsource.com|access-date=24 October 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829172727/http://www.crowdsource.com/blog/2013/08/the-long-history-of-crowdsourcing-and-why-youre-just-now-hearing-about-it/|archive-date=29 August 2014}}</ref> It spans such creative domains as graphic design, architecture, [[Fashion design|apparel design]], writing, illustration, and others. Tasks may be assigned to individuals or a group and may be categorized as convergent or divergent. An example of a divergent task is generating alternative designs for a poster. An example of a convergent task is selecting one poster design. Companies, startups, small businesses and entrepreneurs have all benefitted from design crowdsourcing since it helps them source great graphic designs at a fraction of the budget they used to spend before. Getting a [[logo design]] through crowdsourcing being one of the most common. Major companies that operate in the design crowdsourcing space are generally referred to as design contest sites.{{cn|date=January 2023}}]