Drafting and design jobs require various kinds of education, depending on the position or profession being sought after. An architect usually requires at least a bachelor's degree in architecture, and some architects have master's degrees or even doctorates. Graphic design jobs often require only an associate's degree or training at a technical college, but higher education is available in that field also. Fashion design jobs are probably the most difficult to obtain, and there is a whole range of education available. But no matter what your education, landing a job in fashion design is almost like winning a contest. It is as much an art as it is a job, and like all artists, there are a few who are rich and famous and make millions of dollars, and a lot who are scraping to find work, receive little recognition, and cannot find a market for their services. These jobs are not all in the New York and Hollywood glamour scene though. Some more common, down-to-earth positions are available working for mainstream retail outlets, such as Sears, Nordstrom's, JCPenny's, and the like. These jobs may involve working in a typical office for typical wages designing clothing and fashion for typical people.
On the other end of the spectrum, Web design jobs are highly rewarding for almost anyone who is qualified, and there is always a high demand for these services. The degree of education required varies greatly depending on the job and the person. There are advanced degrees and education available in Web design, but many entrepreneurs have no formal education in the subject. Some of them simply grew up with computers and are familiar with the technology. Some people just seem to be good in this field while others are very intimidated by all the technology and the terms and do not have the desire or the know-how to design their own websites.
Many people think that with the burst of the dot-com bubble in the year 2000, that these types of jobs are no longer as numerous or high paying, but there is still a demand for Web designers. Almost every business of any type now needs to have a website to compete in the modern world. Many business owners, or schools, or government entities, or even individuals who want to have a website have their area of expertise in something else and do not know how—or do not want to take the time—to design and create a website on their own. While most people could figure it out with a little patience and work, many would rather just hire a professional to do the work for them. A Web designer might cater to a large government agency or corporation, or maybe to the individual who just wants to design their site for social networking, such as for MySpace or Facebook. Many people have no problem paying $100 for a small website, and the experienced designer can produce a product that makes them happy in less than an hour. Therefore some Web designers can make around $100 per hour in wages. Large corporations and Internet retailers require full-time Web design staff that constantly monitor and update the company website.
Graphic design jobs are available working for newspapers, magazines, and other publications such as brochures and websites. The layout of your daily newspaper is the result of a graphic designer, as are most of the print advertisements inside it. A graphic designer may be an artist with a degree in art from a university. On the less-creative side, a graphic designer's job may involve fitting different advertisements and articles to a page.
Drafting and design jobs have changed quite a lot in the last generation. Workers in these positions do not necessarily have to be architects, but they may have graduated from a community or technical college with an associate's degree. There are also advanced degrees available depending on the type of work the drafting design job will entail. They may work independently or as an assistant to an architect, similar to the way a paralegal works for an attorney. A generation ago, much of their work was done with rulers and pencils and graph paper. Today, almost all drafting and design jobs require the use of an CAD (computer-aided design) program. Computer knowledge and experience is therefore essential for the successful drafter.
Using auto CAD programs, designers have become far more productive and are a good example of how modern technology has helped the modern worker to become more productive, and therefore more highly paid, without the corresponding increase in price for their product. Using an auto CAD program, a design drafter can produce in a day what used to take weeks. This has been a win-win situation for the customers and the drafters and has even resulted in cheaper fees and higher wages.
Drafting design jobs involve everything from designing buildings to landscaping; from plumbing, sewer, and electrical systems to urban street and residential zoning and subdivision planning. They may involve designing a set for a movie or theatrical production or designing parts for a toy or the body of an automobile. Drafting designers may help in the design of a home or the parts for a space shuttle. You can see how for different tasks, there would be a wide range in the amount of training and education required. Of course there is a wide range in pay. These are all good jobs, and one of the most rewarding aspects of this career is you would have the satisfaction of seeing something you have designed actually be manufactured or built. When you see it in its finished state you would have the sense of accomplishment that you have designed something.
Whether you go into drafting, or fashion or Web design, perhaps a job in design or drafting is the career path for you.
