How likely is it that I will get a Job in my field?
saa has an average Career Placement rate of 94%! That’s HUGE! Over the last 22 years, we have built quite a reputation among employers. Many prefer to hire our graduates. They consider our graduates to be among the best prepared out there. The saa graduate is able to compete for jobs against graduates from four-year colleges successfully. Our Director of Career Services is committed to helping you find the career of which you’ve been dreaming.
According to the 2007-08 Occupational Outlook Handbook:
- Among the five design occupations, graphic designers are expected to have the
most new jobs through 2014, however graphic designers are expected to face keen competition for available positions.
- Graphic designers with Web site design and animation experience will have the best opportunities.
Where can I work?
saa graduates are prepared to work in design, advertising and marketing & communications companies. Whether at an advertising agency, corporate art or design department, magazine or book publishing company, retail company, web design agency, or performance art center, you will find there is plenty to do.
Many alumni choose careers close to their hometown, while others you can find employed all over the country. Some companies who have hired saa graduates include: Electronic Arts, F+W Publications, Hafenbrack Marketing & Communications, Iams Company, IBM, Lexis-Nexis, NCR Corporation, Reynolds & Reynolds, Sabatino Day, Vanderbilt University and Yankee Candle Co.
What are the typical Salaries of saa graduates?
While income is not a reason to get involved in an industry, it is good to know what you might expect to make.
- First year saa graduates can earn an average starting salary of $25,000/year [$12/hr].
- After five years of professional experience: average $46,000/year [$22/hr].
- Another five years later [10 years of experience]: average $65,000 — 96,000 per year [$38/hr].
Many saa alumni own their own marketing & communications, design, or advertising companies and earn $60,000 — 175,000 or more a year! In larger cities, such as New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles, the salary ranges increase, as do the living expenses.
What is a Graphic Designer?
Graphic designers create visual concepts, both traditionally [by hand] and digitally [by computer]. The graphic designer develops the idea, direction, attitude and format of advertising. Logo design, magazine layouts, animation and websites are just a few examples of standard projects.
What does an Illustrator do?
Typically, illustrators are graphic designers who take their own concept and design to completed illustration. In other situations, illustrators are required to follow the established concept and design determined by the graphic designer. Also, many professional graphic designers will create illustrations as freelance projects, where a client will contract the illustrator to draw or paint illustrations. Travel poster illustrations, editorial illustrations, event poster illustrations, and portrait work are a few examples of projects.
What is a Production Artist?
A Mac Production Artist is a person who digitally completes the concept, design, and illustrations of any given advertising. In this field, the graphic designer will usually conceive, design and/or illustrate the advertising, then complete the production of the creative work. In other situations, the graphic designer or illustrator will supervise a production artist’s completion of his or her creative work.
What does it mean to Freelance, and how much money can you earn?
Freelance designers are graphic designers and artists who contract with a client to do a project or several projects at a set fee [hourly or total]. In the Dayton, Cincinnati, or Columbus area, a typical freelance designer can bill clients an average of $48 per hour for his or her creative work. If you do this full-time there is an income potential of $96,000 annually. Many designers have a steady job, but do freelance work on evenings and weekends. Many saa students also do freelance while in college, either pro bono [free] or earning money [as much as $20 per hour!].
Start Your Future Now! Request more information or call 877 300 9866.