The Art of Advertising

By Gabriel Traverso
Career Training Directory Columnist

If you feel dominated by your right brain, finding a career that plays off your artistic talents can seem daunting. However, if you can develop a head for business you just might find a way to successfully launch your career as an advertising artist.

James Bingham made a name for himself in the world of advertising art by developing a style that helped define the advertising industry. He developed a style that earned him acclaim and more advertising accounts than most artists before or since have ever had. It wasn’t just his art that propelled him to success—his visual problem solving demonstrated an ideal synthesis of art and business.

Getting Paid to Paint in the Advertising Business

Media has changed wildly since Bingham’s success in the 1940’s and 50’s, but the principles remain the same. An artist has to be able to work well with people, must have excellent communication skills, and be able to render ideas visually.

If you can develop these skills, you can earn an excellent living as an artist. Across the country salaries vary widely for designers. According to a recent survey conducted by AIGA, the national annual average for a designer is $40,000. In metropolitan hubs like New York, you can earn upwards of $51,900.

Advertising Degree Programs

The typical program in advertising and commercial art will cover a variety of media, from lithography to computer graphics programs. You’ll gain an understanding of fundamental concepts and composition. In the process, you’ll start building your portfolio. Focusing on the business of advertising will help enhance your value to prospective employers.

With time and experience you might earn a salary approaching six figures and work your way up in an organization. If you can combine the left brain needs of the business world with your right brain abilities, you just might find yourself in a career that rewards your soul and your pocketbook.

Sources

AIGA Association for Design Salary Survey
American Art Archives

About the Author

Gabriel Traverso is a freelance writer, independent musician, and artist. He resides in Reno, NV.