Competition for jobs is fierce for new graduates in graphic

Competition for jobs is fierce for new graduates in graphic design. More and more qualified applicants are jockeying for coveted jobs, and it pays to stand out from the crowd. Students studying graphic design will enhance their chances of career success if they familiarise themselves with the standard software used in fields related to their own. Efficient mastery of Photoshop can help ensure success in any design related field.

Photo manipulation is not precisely part of the core skill-set that graphic designers develop. Usually, designers use tools that are more geared towards layout and presentation. Nevertheless, it is rare for a graphic designer to complete a project without needing to tweak a photo, so that it can be better integrated with their design.

Whether they are designing logos, print layout, advertising campaigns, or product packaging, skilled designers will make use of Photoshop's capabilities to ensure a polished end result.

Employers will often require that their employees are familiar with Photoshop. This familiarity will help keep large projects on schedule and within budget. Small design firms may prefer to do all of their photo manipulation in-house, and they may not employ someone specifically to do Photoshop work. In this case, designers will be expected to wear many hats. Students who think that they might like to work as freelancers will have to be the most flexible of all.

Many schools recognise the importance of teaching their students how to use Photoshop, and they offer courses in the subject. Oftentimes, at least one course that features photo manipulation will be required to in to become a graduate. If there are no required courses, it is a good idea for students to seek-out outside tutoring or make use of online resources.

Photoshop is a bit of an expensive choice of software for students. References and training can add to the cost. However, in the future, designers who have learned their way around Photoshop more than recoup the initial investment. Even a little bit of Photoshop knowledge can lead to jobs and opportunities. It is difficult to know what will spark a successful career, but any job is an opportunity to impress potential employers or clients.

The best way to master a piece of software is to use it which is why it would be a good idea for design students to purchase their own copy of Photoshop in order to experiment with it. Students should also be aware that there are places on the Internet which will give huge discounts on software such as Photoshop Extended edition to students and teachers. Students who are especially interested in finding out just how familiar they will need to become with Photoshop can do a bit of research to determine what skills are currently in demand. They may find it helpful to browse job listings similar to those that they will be applying for when they finish their studies. One way of getting insight into the current market is to seek out established designers to interview with specific questions about the skills they use to do their jobs. This knowledge can help a student focus on what is needed for success while they are in education.