May 22, 2006
by Jessica Santina
Local Education Columnist
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that of all design occupations, graphic designers will have the most new jobs through 2014. For graphic artists, there's no better place to put down roots than Portland, Oregon--the arts hub of the Pacific Northwest.
Getting Paid to Create: Graphic Artists
Most artists agree: making art full-time is a difficult way to make a living. But one of the most lucrative art careers, and the one that offers the most exposure, is the field of graphic design. Graphic designers are responsible for the artwork you see every day--from billboards to magazine ads, web sites, and even product packaging.
Graphic artists are responsible for planning, analyzing, and creating solutions for communicating a client's message visually, in the most cost-effective way possible. Graphic design requires enormous talent in visual art, as well as a bit of tech savvy, since all their work is created with computer software.
The Portland Graphic Design Scene
Since 1995, Portland has experienced a widely publicized art renaissance. During the dot-com boom of the mid-90s, Portland saw a tremendous influx of graphic artists, web designers, and artists of all disciplines because of the caliber of its local colleges, the area's natural surroundings, and its urban opportunities.
By 2000, the U.S. Census indicated that over 10,000 artists were living in Portland, and even today, artists continue to migrate to this city that nurtures and treasures its artists. For instance, the Portland Center for the Performing Arts has been recognized as one of the top 10 performing arts venues in the nation.
Graphic Design in Portland
Because of Portland's commitment to its artists, graphic design programs thrive in many local colleges. In fact, these local colleges often exhibit the work of their students in campus galleries and through local exhibitions. And because these colleges are located in a city with one of our country's most beautiful natural environments, offering excellent opportunities to all artists, enrolling in a graphic design program in Portland makes great sense.
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About the Author
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.
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