Career Trends for Graphic Designers

New York-based undergraduate Michael “Mike” Paulercio balances his position as a grocery clerk at a Yonkers, NY, supermarket with a course load towards a degree in physical education. In addition to making the Fall 2017 semester Dean’s List, Mike Paulercio earned a credential in graphic design.

The most popular positions for qualified graphic designers include web production artists, user-experience designers, and infographic designers, all of which are in high demand. Listed below are some of the defining employment trends for graphic designers.

1. Flexible Scheduling. Improved cloud-based platforms and the development of portable devices with increased memory and processing capacity have made it easier for graphic designers to carry out their tasks outside of the office. More companies are offering work-from-home and telecommuting options to attract and retain talented designers.

2. Contract Positions. Approximately one out of every five graphic designers work for themselves. There are a growing number of online job platforms that connect freelance designers to clients in diverse industries. Graphic design is also a popular career path for digital nomads, or people who work online while traveling or living abroad.

3. Soft Skills. While successful graphic designers must have a strong technical background and expert knowledge of design software, employers also look for designers with well-developed soft skills. Graphic designers must be able to work well in a team, complete tasks on time, and communicate clearly with their clients.

Procreate 4.1 Boosts Artists' Illustration and Perspective Capacities

Michael “Mike” Paulercio is a Yonkers, New York, student who is pursuing a physical education degree at community college. Also maintaining a position as a grocery clerk, Mike Paulercio enjoys graphic design and has achieved certification in the field.

One of the essentials for many graphic designers is Procreate, an app designed for the iPad that amplifies digital painting, sketching, and illustration capacities. Released in mid-2018, the latest version Procreate 4.1 includes the Liquify filter, which enables 120fps pixel manipulation and results in extremely fluid effects. 

Those who work with characters can take advantage of the Symmetry Drawing Guide, a new feature that mirrors brush strokes in real-time and boosts workflow. In addition, Perspective tools have been augmented with isometric and 2D guides, and more accurate. control-over-grid measurements. The end result is that pictures from various perspectives are quickly created and rendered, without sacrificing any detail within the overall artwork.

Westchester Community College Awarded Largest Grant in Its History

Yonkers, NY-based undergraduate student Michael “Mike” Paulercio enrolled in State University of New York‘s Westchester Community College in 2016 to pursue a degree in physical education. During his time at WCC, Mike Paulercio has been an active and successful student who served as a peer mentor to first-year students and made the Dean’s List in 2017.

In October 2018, WCC received a multimillion dollar federal grant, the largest in the school’s history. The U.S. Department of Education's Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) program bestowed a five-year grant totaling $2.7 million to support the operation and expansion of Westchester’s Caminos al Exito (Pathways to Success) program, which is geared toward supporting at-risk Hispanic students. Between 2010 and 2015, Westchester’s Hispanic student population grew by more than 30 percent, which qualifies the school as a Hispanic-Serving Institution..

A portion of the grant will fund the creation of the Office of First Year Students, which will aim to reduce attrition rates and help students define an attainable career path earlier in their college experience. Funding will also be used to modernize school-wide technology systems and improve student access to advising and mentoring.

United Nations' World Autism Awareness Day

Michael (Mike) Paulercio of Yonkers, NY, is on track to receive an associate's degree in physical education at the end of 2018. Before enrolling in a New York State community college, Mike Paulercio gained hands-on experience doing volunteer work with young people with autism.

Since 2008, the United Nations has recognized April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. Proposed by a Qatari representative, the special day promotes the discussion of autism research and the support and well-being of autistic people throughout the member countries. 

Each year, the UN focuses on a theme or area that impacts individuals with autism. In the past, Awareness Days have focused on employment, education, self-empowerment, and gender-specific challenges faced by girls and women diagnosed with autism. At UN headquarters on World Autism Awareness Day, the secretary general customarily speaks before the UN body and outlines how UN policy will consider and empower people with developmental disabilities.