Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019

TRANSMITTAL
To: Career Services
From: Michael Eugene Belmonte Jr.
Subject: Career analysis on Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019
Date: 11/22/19

Dear Career Services,

The attached report explains the similarities and differences between graphic design and web
development. This will hopefully help Career Services understand the areas of study and help
students make career choices.

This report analyzes the careers by looking at education requirements, job duties, working
conditions, career outlook, and salary. It also discusses the pros and cons of each career, to help
students decide which career would be better for them.

I hope that this report will help Career Services understand the differences between these two
careers. While they have many similarities, there are many differences that career specialists
need to know. Please let me know if there are any other questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Michael Eugene Belmonte Jr

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 Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND WEB DEVELOPMENT REPORT

2019 Report

Prepared by Michael Eugene Belmonte Jr.

Report Distributed November 22, 2019

Prepared for
College of DuPage Career Services

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 Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019

ABSTRACT

The report explains the differences and similarities between graphic design and web
development. This report was prepared for Career Services to help them understand specifics of
the two careers. Since many students go to Career Services looking for guidance, it is important
that the staff knows the difference. Both careers were analyzed by looking at required education,
job duties, working conditions, career outlook, and salary. While these careers have a lot of
similarities, there are differences. If the Career Specialists understand the two jobs, they can
better serve the students who come to them for guidance.

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 Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………… 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY……………………………………………………………… 3

INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………. 4

GRAPHIC DESIGN……………………………………………………………………… 4

Education………………………………………………………………….. 4

Job duties………………………………………………………………….. 4

Working conditions……………………………………………………….. 4

Career outlook…………………………………………………………….. 5

Pay scale………………………………………………………………….. 5

WEB DEVELOPMENT………………………..……………………………………….. 6

Education………………………………………………………………….. 6

Job duties………………………………………………………………….. 6

Working conditions……………………………………………………….. 6

Career outlook…………………………………………………………….. 7

Pay scale………………………………………………………………….. 7

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………….... 8

REFERENCES….………………………………………………………………………. 9

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 Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Many students are interested in working with computers or design, but don’t know which field.
Some students may not know the difference between graphic design and web development, but
Career Services can help the students to accomplish their goal and choose their career path. This
proposal will help explain more details about careers in graphic design and web development.

Graphic Design: Graphic design is a popular choice for students who enjoy design and
computers. Most jobs typically require a bachelor’s degree, though it is possible to get a job after
graduating with an associate’s degree. Job duties typically include working with visual concepts,
using computer software, digital illustration, typography, and working with clients. Working
conditions for graphic designers typically include working as a team, or being self-employed.
Graphic designers are sometimes expected to work either evenings or weekends. This career is
expected to grow at a rate of 3%, which is slower than average. Their salary is an average of
$50,370, which is higher than the average of other careers.

Web Development: Web development is another popular choice for students that love to work on
computers. These kinds of jobs typically require an associate’s degree. The job duties include
designing a website, creating a website, meeting with clients, coding, knowing how to use
HTML and CSS, sketching a layout, and monitoring websites. The working conditions for web
development jobs are mostly done by working either as a team, or being self-employed. In either
case, most web developers work full time. This career is growing at a rate of 13%, which is
higher than the average of other occupations. The average salary is $69,430, which is higher than
average.

Based off the research that is mentioned above, both of these careers are a good choice for
people who are either good at coding, or good with designing. Web development has more job
growth, higher salary, and requires less education. That being said, this career requires coding
skills, which is sometimes difficult for people who are not familiar with coding. In this case,
graphic design maybe a better option. Even though graphic design has a lower salary and
requires more education, it is a good career for people who like to work visually and artistically.

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 Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019

INTRODUCTION

This report discusses graphic design and web development. More specifically, the report will
compare and contrast the two careers. These two careers are often confusing for people that do
not work in the field. This report will talk about required education, job duties, education,
working conditions, career outlook, and pay scale. This report is intended for the Career Services
office to help them better serve students interested in either graphic design or web development.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Education

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a bachelor’s degree is typically required for
entry level jobs. It is, however, possible to get a job with an associate degree or a certificate for
graphic design. An associate’s degree prepares the person to focus on technical aspects, whereas
a bachelor’s degree focuses more on developing the art. A certificate focuses on covering the
basic concepts. This could be completed by someone who wants to further their education or has
an unrelated degree.

Job duties

A major aspect of being a graphic designer is working with clients on their projects. A graphic
designer has a wide variety of job duties. Other than working on a computer, some graphic
designers actually create things by hand. For instance, graphic designers often begin by
sketching their ideas before they decide to create their work on a computer. They make layouts
of how they want their work to appear as. Other times they tend to rely on photography and
Photoshop to extend their creative work. Graphic designers also come up with color schemes and
ideas that best fit into their projects. They also use typography to extend their art style. Graphic
designers often use Adobe software for their graphic design projects. Graphic designers also
comes up with layouts for websites, but do not typically program the website.

Working conditions

Graphic designers are able to work at a firm, or be self-employed. 22% of graphic designers are
self-employed. This means that they need to be more flexible with their work when it comes to
helping a client with their request. This may include working weekends or evenings. They can
either work at home, or in their own office/studio. 78% of graphic designers work with
companies or firms. These typically include specialized design services, advertising, public

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relations, printing, newspapers, or books. The main difference between working at a firm and
being self-employed is that working with a firm requires a lot of collaboration.

Source: U.S Bureau of Labor Stat, Work environment

Career Outlook

Graphic design careers are projected to grow at a rate of 3%. This is slightly lower than other
occupations, which is 5% growth. While 3% seems very low, the statistic does not explain the
whole story. It is true that certain graphic design jobs are decreasing, such as newspapers and
periodicals. On the other hand, computer design is projected to grow at the rate of 24%. This
shows that today’s society is focused on electronics. Certain states have a better career outlook
for graphic designing. These include Illinois, California, New York, Florida, and Texas.

Pay Scale

Graphic design pay varies depending on if they work for a firm or if they are self-employed.
Graphic designer’s average salary is $50,370, with a range between $29,610 and $85,760. Art
design workers made slightly less at $46,660. This is higher than the median for all occupations,
which is $38,640.

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 Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019

WEB DEVELOPMENT

Education

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, an associate’s degree is typically required for
an entry level job. However, it is possible to get a web developing job with just a high school
diploma. The education requirement depends on the job duties. For example, basic coding can be
done with no college education, while more advanced web devolving needs a bachelor’s degree.
Web development is always changing, so it is important to continue education even after
graduating. Often, employees who have computer degrees and a graphic design degree are
wanted because both the function and the graphics of a website are important.

Job duties

Web developers focus on creating and designing websites. More specifically, web developers
create applications, program coding, determine layouts, and incorporate graphics into the
website. They must have a good understanding of programs such as HTML, CSS, and other
software. It really depends on what company they work for.

Working conditions

A majority of web developers work for companies or firms, including computer system design,
publishing industries, and advertising. 16% are self-employed. Most work full time, whether they
work for a company or are self-employed.

Source: U.S Bureau of Labor Stat, Work environment

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 Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019

Career Outlook

Web development is expected to grow more in upcoming years at a rate of 13%. This is
substantially higher than other occupations. This is because websites and mobile devices are
becoming more popular. One concern is the fact that some web development is done in countries
where they pay their employees less. Job opportunities for web developers are expected to be
plentiful in upcoming years.

Pay Scale

Web developers have an average salary of $69,430, with a range of $37,930 to $124,480. This is
higher than the salary for graphic design. It is lower than other computer occupations, which is
$86,320. The highest paid web developers work in publishing industries, while the lowest paid
employees work for public relations and advertising.

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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

With the increase of the internet, graphic design and web development careers are popular
choices. I recommend getting a bachelor’s degree in graphic design with an emphasis in web
development. This allows the students to continue with their career in graphic design or web
development. This will make a student more marketable for employers since they have
experience in both topics.

In the graphic design field, it is typically required to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
The growth of this career is slower than average, but does have benefits such as being able to be
self-employed. If flexibility and design is important to you, then graphic design would be a good
choice.

In the web development field, it is usually required to have an associate’s degree. The growth for
this career is over 2 times the average of other careers, which makes it easier to get a job. If job
security, salary, and less education is important to you, then web development would be a good
choice.

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 Graphic Design and Web Development Report-2019

REFERENCES

"Graphic Designers". Occupational Outlook Handbook. United States Department of Labor,

Bureau of Labor Statistics. 4 Sept, 2019. Retrieved from www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-
design/graphic-designers.htm#tab-1.

“Web Developers”. Occupational Outlook Handbook.” United States Department of Labor,

Bureau of Labor Statistics. 4 Sept. 2019. Retrieved from www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-
information-technology/web-developers.htm.

"What Education is Required for a Career in Graphic Design?". Learn. Retrieved

from https://learn.org/articles/What_Education_is_Required_for_a_Career_in_Graphic_
Designing.html

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