Info on Working as a Graphic Designer in Columbus, Ohio

The city of Columbus, Ohio, with over 787,000 local residents and as many as 75,000 commercial enterprises, currently employs hundreds of professional graphic designers.  Companies throughout Columbus maintain an ongoing demand for communications design specialists.

Columbus Schools and Training Programs for Graphic Design

Over a hundred colleges and Universities in Ohio offer degree programs in graphic design, with numerous educational options right here in Columbus.  Popular Columbus design schools include the Bradford School, Franklin University, Ohio Dominican University and Ohio State.  As well, many aspiring Columbus artists earn graphic design degrees online.  Among the leading design colleges with online degree programs are The Art Institutes, ITT Tech, University of Phoenix and DeVry.

Graphic artists at design schools in Ohio are often Communications Design majors.  A typical graphic design degree program at a Columbus design college would feature courses in drawing, photography, digital graphics and other traditional visual media, as well as more advanced topics like animation, typography, product packaging design and video game design.

Working as a Graphic Designer in Columbus, Ohio

Some Ohio graphic designers work for leading local advertising agencies.  Top Columbus ad firms include Kreber Graphics, Mobius International, Ron Foth and SBC Advertising, for instance.  Other local artists design film credits, illustrations and other visual materials for highly regarded Columbus motion picture producers.  Top Columbus filmmakers include Bartha, Live Technologies, Lyon Video and Horizons Companies. 

Communications designers in Columbus, Ohio also work for cultural arts centers, colleges, real estate offices, news syndicates, manufacturers, photography studios and many other commercial businesses.  Available local design jobs include high tech illustrations, medical charts, visual educational products, company logos, instruction manuals, book covers, web pages and more. 

Well over 280,000 people currently hold jobs as graphic designers at companies in the United States.  Salaries depend largely on education, experience, skills and geographic location.  The mean annual salary for an Ohio graphic designer is around $42,950, with an average hourly rate of around $20.75.  Nearly half of all professional U.S. graphic designers earn between $30,000 and $60,000 a year, although this figure does not account for the unreported salaries of self employed individuals.  Graphic artists employed in major cities like Columbus tend to earn more than similarly employed professionals in less populated areas.

Skills of a Graphic Designer

Professional graphic design work requires training, which is why most employers prefer a degree and some professional experience, even for entry level positions.  Essential communications design skills include drawing, photography, typography, proficiency with graphic design software and web design skills.  Preferred personality traits of professional graphic designers include precision, punctuality attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to follow specific directions, while still somehow preserving their unique, individual styles.