Graphic Design Pay / Salary
San Francisco, Bay Area Design Firm survey for Graphic Designer Starting Salaries.
Data year: 2009
Median salary for a typical Graphic Design Specialist in the United States is $46,461.
Source: Salary.com • Data year: 2009
Comparing salaries of various levels of designers (Junior Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Web Designer). Highest median salary goes to Creative Directors with $77,670.
Source: Payscale.com • Data year: 2010
IN PROGRESS: Research on how much the general public is willing to pay for baisc design projects. Survey will close and be posted here by September 2010.
My Favorite Graphic Design Articles
Are We Our Own Worst Enemy?
"We want it all, instantly and as cheap as possible..."
Web Development Tools
Browser Shots
View screenshots of your website in the widest variety of operating systems and browsers I have seen on any testing site.
Favicon Generator
Upload an image and turn it into a favicon. Includes instructions on how to get your favicon to appear next to the URL of your site.
SEO
Google Insights
Find out what people are searching for.
Stock Photography Websites
Graphic Design Websites
Smashing Magazine
Frequent posts for design inspiration, tips, tools, and trend updates. Also has a "how-to" section.
A List Apart
Many well-written articles about design, css, working with clents, and more.
Adobe TV
Video tutorials for Adobe products. I watch something here almost every week.
Adobe Video Workshop
Learn various useful tips about using Adobe products.
Photoshop Daily
Free resources and tips for Photoshop users.
The 99 Percent
Great tips for working in the business of design.
Social Networking Websites
Ning
Join a network, or create your own.
The Rules for Graphic Designers
Graphic & Web Design Trade Customs
Graphic Design Organizations
The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
Dues: $95 to $315 per year
"...the oldest and largest professional membership organization for design"
Graphic Artists Guild (GAG)
Dues: $75 to $200 per year
"Buy discounted art supplies; pay less for your rental car; trade magazines arrive at a discount; marketing tools, such as DM"
IDEAlliance
Dues: $900 to $26,500 per year
"collaborate with business partners from across the supply chain to improve efficiencies, lower costs and improve quality"
Art Directors Club, Inc. (ADC)
Dues: $100 to $225 per year (individual)
"All members receive complimentary entrance into all of ADC’s events and 30% discount to Hall of Fame, Awards Gala, and Portfolio Reviews."
Design Management Institute (DMI)
Dues: $150 to $400 per year (individual)
International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda)
Society of Publication Designers (SPD)
"We're still in beta mode, continuing to build a brand-new web site for publication designers and contributors"
Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD)
Dues: $305 to $340 per year + application fee (individual)
"become part of an interdisciplinary network of top designers, industry specialists, educators, and students dedicated to the professional development of environmental graphic design"
Sponsors
