What is Graphic Design? About the Major. The creation and production of promotional materials for print, multimedia and the Web. It involves the selection and arrangement of text and graphic elements within a page format to communicate a message. A creative career track, this prestigious two-year degree imparts occupational skills in page layout, illustration and photographic editing software. The Graphic Design Technology program is designed to give creative students a rewarding and challenging career in the artistic field of printing, publishing, electronic communication and advertising. A comprehensive graphic design curriculum of studio projects leads to an extensive portfolio and empowers graduates to obtain lucrative employment. MDC/SEDT's Graphic Design program offers students hands-on experience and a solid academic background. What Skills Will I Learn? Page Layout Software (QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign) Illustration Software (Adobe Illustrator) Photo Editing Software (Adobe Photoshop) Graphic Design Theory and Principles. Production of Studio Projects. Printing and Graphic Arts. Graphic Design Business Practices. Portfolio Preparation. Where Can I Work? How Much Can I Earn? Graphic designers work in advertising agencies, graphic design studios, in-house art departments, magazine and newspaper publishers and even on their own as freelance artists. Wage and Salary Estimates from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics: Art Director Artist Graphic Designer Pre-Press Technician Press Operator Career Videos from America's Career InfoNet (RealPlayer required): Commercial Artist Desktop Publisher Graphic Designer Pre-Press Technician Press Operator © 2007 ela/Miami Dade College School of Entertainment and Design Technology