Advertising Art a Unique Blend of Several Roles

By Kelly Richardson
Career Colleges Columnist

Have you ever dreamed of being paid to draw? How about earning a healthy salary designing Web and direct mail advertising campaigns? If you can consistently create attractive marketing promotions using the latest in graphic design software, you have what it takes to make it as an advertising artist.

The world of advertising art is attractive and alluring. Imagine sitting in a state-of-the-art design studio, planning your next major advertising campaign for a million dollar client. Sipping your strong cup of java, you take the Adobe Creative Suite to its limits and beyond. This is no dream. This is a day in the life of an advertising artist. These creative professionals combine artistic ability with business acumen to become a versatile part of an advertising team.

Advertising Art Skills

If you want to break into this phenomenal industry, you have to have the right training. Typically that means earning your advertising degree, though some pros earn graphic design degrees, tackling the business side of the equation on-the-job. Here's what you should know:

Computer Design. A good advertising art professional is one third graphic designer. Because most direct marketing pieces and Web campaigns are computer designed, knowledge of art software is a must
Commercial Trends. Advertising artists must also have their fingers on the pulse of the target market. Their designs must pull on emotion to increase sales for their clients' products or services.
Project Management. A final skill common among crack advertising artists is the ability to multitask a campaign through to its launch. Project management is a large part of the industry's business side.

The Career Profile

The advertising industry is in a period of exciting transition. New technologies combined with age-old communication principles make the advertising art field one of great promise. According to Career Services, a New Zealand professional organization, this is what you need to make it in advertising art:

Entry Requirements. Most employers prefer a bachelor's degree in graphic design, animation, or some other creative credential.
Earnings Potential. Most seasoned advertising art professionals earn between $50,000 and $180,000 per year based on experience and agency.
Employment Outlook. The advertising art industry will see a modest increase in employment opportunities over the next several years.

It's time you turned your artistic talents into a great career. Check out the opportunities in advertising art. It's truly on the way up.

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in a variety of respected educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.

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