6 Jobs in Commercial Art that are Careers in and of Themselves

What is commercial art? Commercial art means that you are making artwork specifically to be sold, usually in an advertising context. There are six main jobs in commercial art: illustrator, web designer, graphic designer, multimedia designer, advertising manager and art director. Each of these jobs requires you to use different techniques and tools, so it’s important to learn the differences between the careers that focus on each of these things. An illustrator makes artwork that portrays what a product does or how it works in order to persuade potential customers to buy it.

Examples of Commercial art

Some people might not understand what commercial art means, so let’s start there. Commercial art is any graphic design that has a commercial purpose or output. This can include illustration (for ads, logos, etc.), web design, multimedia development, print media creation or even advertising management. You might also be familiar with some other terms such as: commercial art (or advertising), marketing or communications art. While these titles may vary by industry or locale, they all refer to work done for commercial use: either clients or companies who are trying to sell something – whether that is good or service – to consumers through an advertisement, logo design or visual representation of their brand overall.

1) Illustrators

Illustrators, also called graphic artists, create designs for various products used to advertise a company’s services or a product. They usually work independently as freelancers, but some illustrators have been hired by advertisement companies on a full-time basis. In both cases, they usually start out as assistants working under someone who has more experience. The field is always growing; according to Education Portal , it's one of only three fields expected to grow significantly through 2022. The best way to become an illustrator is either by attending art school or taking classes at an art college; both will train you on how to draft your ideas onto paper and digitally render them onto computer screens or tablets.

2) Web designers

Web designers build websites for businesses. They're responsible for how a website looks to users, as well as how it works behind-the-scenes. Most web designers specialize in certain types of websites, such as e-commerce sites or blogs. If you want to work on websites, you'll need to develop some coding skills. Those skills will vary depending on which programming language(s) you choose; HTML, CSS and JavaScript are all common options. There's a big difference between being good at designing a site with no knowledge of code and being able to craft one from scratch with just your wits—but both require hard work!

3) Graphic designers

The most common job title under commercial art is graphic designer. These professionals produce a variety of products, including advertising materials such as logos, websites, digital advertisements, newspapers, magazines and more. They're responsible for all aspects of their work from conception to final product. Designers often work closely with other commercial artists to create an integrated brand identity for their client or company. A career as a graphic designer requires at least a bachelor's degree in fine arts or a related field. Career options can be highly competitive; designers must have excellent artistic ability and excellent communication skills. The median annual wage for graphic designers was $48,250 in May 2012 (www.bls.gov).

4) Multimedia designers

Multimedia designers work to integrate elements like graphics, text, sound, animation and video into one or more visual presentations. Their ultimate goal is to produce designs that move a viewer or listener to action. Multimedia designers make use of different design programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Fireworks. Good communication skills are important for multimedia designers since they will be required to work with clients and other creative staff members. Additional qualifications include a bachelor's degree in graphic design or computer science. The median annual wage for multimedia designers was $59,990 as of May 2012.

5) Advertising managers

Advertising managers oversee all aspects of advertising, from developing marketing campaigns to creating ads and selecting venues. The majority work for marketing firms or advertising agencies; others work for media companies or corporations. According to Payscale, advertising managers made an average annual salary of $98,343 as of February 2017.

6) Art directors

If you’re an artist with a sense for color, lighting, composition, layout and design (and want to make six figures), art directing may be right for you. This career option is often a desk job—but it still requires your unique artistic vision. To get there, you’ll need a bachelor's degree in commercial art or another creative field like graphic design or web design. After graduation, look into potential internships to prepare yourself for working professionally as an art director.

How to become a commercial artist

It seems like an easy answer – just go to school and graduate with a degree, right? Not so fast. An education in commercial art is not your typical college degree plan. While some might think there's little difference between commercial art careers and other job options (like fine art or design), there's one big difference: earning potential. Career options for artists include everything from advertising managers to multimedia designers. You'll have a greater earning potential when you choose commercial art as your field of study. Here's how you can become a commercial artist: 1. Consider where you want to work 2. Research internship opportunities 3. Choose which school is best for you 4. Attend classes 5. Collaborate with peers 6 Do an independent project 7 Find a job

 1. Consider where you want to work 

The first step in deciding which type of commercial artist to become is to figure out where you want to work. For example, do you want to work from home? If so, becoming a freelance web designer might be a good fit for you; do you want to work at a big company like Google or Facebook? Then advertising manager might be a great choice for your career as an artist. Once you've decided what kind of job environment you'd like to work within, it's time to focus on how to obtain that job—and one of your main considerations should be how much education is needed for your specific type of commercial art job.

2. Research internship opportunities

Research internship opportunities to get a feel for what commercial art is like in real life. It's also a great way to start your networking! You may be surprised by how much you enjoy working as a commercial artist, so it's important to take your time (and keep an open mind) when searching for internships. As you learn more about possible career options in commercial art, think about which field or industry might be best suited to your strengths and interest. Remember, choosing something as seemingly important as your career should not be rushed. There is no need to rush into any big decision! Relax and think things through with a clear head before making anything final.

3. Choose which school is best for you

School can be a tricky part of your journey to become a commercial artist. No matter which path you choose, I recommend researching different options for school programs to help prepare you for your career. First, you’ll want to determine if a college degree is required by many employers before applying for jobs or even starting out on your own as an artist. For example, careers such as web designer or advertising manager may not require a four-year degree; however, graphic design may. It can be beneficial to spend time at a trade school or boot camp learning technical skills so that you can build up your portfolio and begin applying for work sooner.

4. Attend classes 

Once you’ve taken some art classes, you’ll want to join a class or two at your local community college. Many of these programs have articulation agreements with bachelor’s degree programs, so if you plan on getting a four-year degree in commercial art, it may be a good idea to make those connections early. Make sure your courses count toward an associate’s degree; many schools allow you to enroll for one or two classes before paying tuition. It will also help to contact commercial art major professors directly—they can give you tips on how to prepare for commercial art careers and what to expect as a student. Some of them may even be willing to provide letters of recommendation for your applications!

5. Collaborate with peers 

There is a natural progression of skills that commercial artists must master. Step 5 focuses on where you can find a career or internship to learn how to become a commercial artist. You may not be interested in earning a degree online, but you can still get practical experience by volunteering at an art fair, working for your school paper, or joining an art club. Joining an art club will also allow you to meet peers who might share similar interests while providing networking opportunities with other college students and industry professionals alike.

6. Do an independent project

Create a professional portfolio. Most commercial art jobs require applicants to have some kind of completed body of work. This can be a website, an app, or samples of actual printed pieces you've made. If you're applying for a design job, whether it's freelance or full-time, make sure to include samples of your work that show off your skills—especially if they relate directly to what you want to do with your career. An advertising manager at an ad agency will want to see examples of work done by someone who has experience designing ads. For example, if you want to become a multimedia designer, make a demo reel highlighting videos and other projects where you can show off these design skills specifically.

7. Find a job

If you want to become a commercial artist, you’ll need to start by building a portfolio of your work. But what makes a good portfolio? How can you get employers to notice your work? And how do you present yourself to potential clients or companies? Our ultimate guide to career options in commercial art has all of these answers—and more! Here, we talk about: Education in commercial art Career options 1. Illustrator 2. Web designer 3. Graphic designer 4. Multimedia designer 5. Advertising manager 6. Art director... So read on and learn everything there is to know about becoming a commercial artist!