Career Options in Visual Communications

Advancement in technology has brought the communication industry to a whole new level. Businesses around the world are using various communication methods to reach out to their potential customers, resulting in a huge demand for communication expertise. One of the most important aspects of communication is visual communication, which uses images, photographs, and videos to convey a message. Visuals are the main form of communication used in television broadcasting and film-making, and they are also an important part of advertisements, publications, and other media. If you are pursuing a career in visual communication, you will have an extensive variety of career options to choose from after you have gained the necessary academic qualifications.

Graphic Designer
Graphic design is one of the most preferred career options for visual communication majors. The work of graphic designers involves planning, analyzing, and creating visuals to enhance communication. They have to find the most effective way to convey certain messages to their target audiences in electronic or print media, and they can do so by using illustrations, photographs, animation, and other visuals. Most graphic designers work for advertising agencies, publication companies, and design consulting firms, but there are an increasing number of them who choose to offer their services on a freelance basis. The job market for graphic designers is expected to grow about 13% from now to 2018.

Web Designer
As more and more websites are being set up on the Internet, there is a constant need for web design services. Web designers create web pages or entire websites, and they have to develop visuals that are effective in communicating their clients' intended messages. They usually work for web development companies or large companies that need to update their websites on a regular basis, but they can also be freelancers.

Commercial Photographer
Commercial photographers produce captivating photographs that are used in print and electronic media for promoting products and services, places, people, and events. In order to create successful pictures, they have to be able to select and capture certain subjects to achieve the desired visual effects. They must possess a high level of creative, as well as extensive technical knowledge and the right equipment. Commercial photographers are needed by news agencies, magazine publishers, advertising agencies, web development companies, fashion houses, wedding photography businesses, and others.

Art Director
The responsibility of art directors is to create design concepts and review materials that are to be published in print, digital, and other media. In advertising and publishing, they assume full control over the visual direction of projects, and they will work with graphic designers, photographers, and copywriters to convey ideas and concepts in the most effective way possible. Art directors are mostly employed by advertising agencies, publishing companies, and design firms.

Commercial Artist
The work of commercial artists varies greatly. They can be involved in the creation of advertisements, magazines, brochures, signage, websites, posters, logos, films and videos, t-shirts, product packaging, and others. As such, they can be hired by many different kinds of companies, ranging from advertising agencies to retail companies.