Graphic Design Work Alive in Washington, DC

Ask a top Washington, DC staffing agency about the demand for graphic designers and they will share some good news with you about the strong job market in the area. Emerging from the recession doldrums are the federal government, educational institutions, public relations firms, non-profits and professional associations - all creating lucrative opportunities for graphic designers.

Searching graphic design firms, the nation’s capital also returns employment needs in positions ranging from interns through graphic design managers. While the unemployment rate for the District remains higher than the national average at 9.8 percent for May 2011 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), the market for creative talent continues to improve. There is also an evident demand for freelance and fulltime graphic designers; The Washington Post recently featured nearly 200 graphic design jobs in the Washington, DC metro area alone.

Interactive media, including growing mobile applications and animation needs, is fueling this demand. However, the competition for the best jobs will be strong. The fallout from the recession has not yet dissipated. There are still more talented professionals than there are creative jobs. Those wishing to take advantage of these new freelance and full time opportunities must keep their skills current, market their ability properly and exhibit persistence and patience.

Don’t discount the print industry. Sure, the “paperwork reduction” efforts of the government are still active, but graphic artists and designers are continually needed to create materials. Even newcomers and junior creatives will find opportunities for internships and entry level jobs that give them the experience and portfolio references they need to accelerate their careers.

Use the recession recovery and economic rebound, however modest, to your advantage as a talented graphic designer. The opportunities in 2011 are there – it’s up to you to maximize your personal opportunities to improve or jumpstart your career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for graphic designers will grow at a 13 percent rate through around 2018. Perfecting your graphic design skills promises to enhance your career and income in Washington, DC and across the U.S.

Tags: freelancers, fulltime jobs, graphic design, Industry Trends, Washington DC

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 19th, 2011 at 12:57 pm and is filed under Career Resources, Design Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.