This is probably the number one benefit influencing your decision to become a graphic designer. You get to share your ideas and if you are a freelancer seek jobs that interest you.

1. Pros and Cons of a Graphic Design Career
Pros
Creativity
This is probably the number one benefit influencing your decision to
become a graphic designer. You get to share your ideas and if you are a
freelancer seek jobs that interest you. Each job you do also adds to your
portfolio increasing your chances of obtaining the jobs you want. Visually
telling a story or promoting an idea is what graphic design is all about.
Flexibility
This is especially true of freelancers but graphic designers are needed in all
field of business which means that if you are finding yourself tired of the
same type of design you can look for jobs somewhere else. An ad designer
may find that they want to learn more about layout design for a magazine
and can make the switch. The switching can continue throughout your
entire career ensuring that you are never bored with your work.
Job Outlook
While the pay may not be the top of the charts finding a job is actually
looking pretty good for recent graduates. Despite the downturn in the
economy the demand for graphic designers is projected to increase by 13
percent from 2010-2020 (according to the US department of labor). This
growth rate is about average across all fields. There should be around
37,000 new jobs between 2010-2020. While the growth in the industry is
good the number of jobs is limited and competition can be very fierce.
Cons
Promotions
Well, the lack of promotions actually. In the world of graphic design there are really only three main
positions that you can pursue. One is a graphic designer, the second is an art director, and the third is a
teacher or professor. To be honest there is little opportunity for advancement within the graphic design
world. While salaries will range greatly based on your reputation and demand for your work if you are
in an organization you probably are in a career stasis. If you are hoping to grow freelancing is probably
the way to go (although you give up the stability of a consistent paycheck).

2. Salary
This could easily go in the Pros or the Cons section
depending on your outlook, but the median pay for
graphic designers is around $43,500 with a span
ranging from $32,000 to $57,000. If you become an
art director or are a very successful freelancer you
can make $94,000 a year (90th percentile of earners
in graphic design). While the pay is decent there is
definitely a ceiling to your pay potential. In order to
get the better paying jobs you will most likely need a
Graphic Arts (AAS) to even be considered.
Creative Limitations
Being creative can be described as a gift and your
best work comes from inspiration but how would
you feel if you were expected to feel inspired all the
time? As a graphic designer you will be working
under a lot of pressure with tons of deadlines. You
need to be able to meet these deadlines and have
your designs ready on time. If you feel you can pay
attention to detail and handle to time constraints
graphic design may be just the thing for you.
Photo Credit: Lee, Vector Hugo