Tennessee Career Guide | 2026 75 designing a logo, or as complex as laying out an entire magazine or catalogue. Com- panies can hire a freelance artist for one project, or keep them on an ongoing re- tainer as a consistent contract employee. What Kind of Person Is Best Suited? The graphic artist position requires some- one with amazing creativity, an advanced eye for design, the ability to work well with a group or team of people, and the ability to turn an idea into reality. An artist must also be willing to accept criticism and di- rection, as a design they feel very strongly about, might not have the same impression on the other members of the creative team. An artist that wears their feelings on their sleeves will go home on many days feeling anything but happy. It is important for artists to remember, the best design might not be what looks the best, but what sells the best. Those decisions will come from the art or marketing directors. Those seeking a career as a freelance artist must also possess superior sales and mar- keting, as well as business skills. On top of the actual time one spends being an artist, freelancers must also spend time looking for new business, meeting with potential clients, billing invoices to clients for work accom- plished, and maintaining business records and files needed to operate a small business. Advantages of being a freelance artist in- clude potentially making higher wages, set- ting one’s own work hours, and the free- dom to work on a variety of projects rather than being pigeon-holed to one product or service. The downside of being freelancer includes a lack of job security, no benefits such as sick or vacation pay, and the costs of operating a business. What Kind of Education is Required? Most companies or agencies seek a person with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field. Artists must be familiar with the latest design software such as Pho- toshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Quark, and perhaps web-based software. Some com- panies will be PC based, while others utilize Apple computers for design. It is always good to be experienced in both platforms. What is an Artist’s Average Salary? Graphic artist salaries are varied according to the size of the company and the experi- ence and skills of the potential employee. Starting salaries inside Tennessee can be anywhere from the low $30,000’s to low $40,000’s. The average salary for a graphic artist in Nashville, Tennessee, according to Glassdoor.com is $42,655. A freelance artist can have a lower or significantly higher salary based on the amount of work they receive, and the number of clients they maintain. Keep in mind, freelance artists are responsible for paying their own taxes, insurance, equipment costs, and business fees. What Growth is Possible? Those working for a company or within a creative team many times can advance into higher positions including creative or art director, and in some cases, marketing director. Growth and advancement is more likely for persons with not only superior artistic skills, but also abilities in marketing, management and client relations. How Much is This Career in Demand? Projections show a moderate growth for graphic artists over the next ten years (5% annually) with stronger growth in positions originating in the tech and healthcare industries. The same statistics would apply to freelance artists who draw their business from companies within those sectors. Some Tennessee Colleges Offering Graphic Design Programs These are a few of the Tennessee colleges and universities offering graphic design pro- grams. There are other for-profit institutions providing graphic arts programs as well. n Belmont University, Nashville n East Tennessee State University, Johnson City n University of Memphis, Memphis n Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro n Tennessee State University, Nashville n University of Tennessee at Chattanooga n University of Tennessee Knoxville, n University of Tennessee at Martin n Tusculum College, Greeneville n Union University, Jackson Tennessee’s Top Careers
