Info on Working as a Graphic Designer in Syracuse, New York

The city of Syracuse, New York, with more than 145,000 people and about 23,000 local businesses, is home to about 150 professional graphic designers.  Commercial enterprises all over Syracuse recruit graphic design professionals for a continuous assortment of visual tasks.

Syracuse Schools and Training Programs for Graphic Design

Countless colleges and Universities in the state of New York offer degree programs in graphic design.  Leading design schools in Syracuse include Onondaga Community College and Syracuse University.  As a viable alternative, some aspiring graphic artists in Syracuse, New York earn their design degrees online.  Among the largest design colleges with online degree programs in communications design are The Art Institutes, ITT Tech, University of Phoenix and DeVry.

Graphic artists at design schools in Syracuse often major in fine arts or visual mass media.  A typical degree program at a design college in Syracuse might include computer science, sociology, online marketing and psychology, as well as basic visual arts like drawing, photography, digital graphics and typography.

Working as a Graphic Designer in Syracuse, New York

Some designers in Syracuse, New York work for leading local advertising agencies like Hugo Pinckney, Mark Russell and Total Advertising.  Some local artists design film credits, visual displays and illustrations for first-rate Syracuse movie producers like Animotion, Creative Media Solutions and GT Productions, among others. 

Communications designers in Syracuse, New York also work for travel agents, printers, art galleries, colleges, real estate offices, news syndicates and many other commercial businesses.  Local graphic design jobs for artists living in Syracuse include clinical charts, educational diagrams, product descriptions, company logos, book covers, web pages and product packaging, to name just a few. 

Employers across America sign the paychecks of more than 280,000 graphic designers.  Salaries are based partly on education, experience, expertise, commitment and, to some extent, geographic location.  The average annual salary for a professional graphic designer employed in the state of New York is around $57,525, with an average hourly rate of about $27.70.  Roughly half of all professional graphic designers employed by U.S. businesses earn between $30,000 and $60,000 a year.  New York ranks first among states in terms of average income for graphic designers.   

Skills of a Graphic Designer

As the saying goes, natural talent and a bus pass will get you on a bus.  Professional communications designers are trained in particular skills, which is why many employers require at least an Associates Degree in visual arts, even for entry level positions in the field.  Acquired graphic design skills include advanced drawing technique, digital design skills and typographical expertise, along with some web design skills and basic photography.  Preferred personality traits of graphic designers include patience, persistence and precise attention to detail.