Though it requires an extensive knowledge of computers and design software, graphic design in among the most in-demand jobs for artists in the early 21st century. This job is all about balance, and giving clients what they want. Designing anything from a simple logo to computer animation may be a part of a graphic designer's day. Many publications hire graphic designers to work in-house, while others employ freelancers for one-off assignments. Graphic design is generally a means to an end, meaning it is not the design itself that a person buys, but the thing that the design points to. For example, a graphic designer may be hired to create the artwork for a new software program, but consumers want to buy the software, and not the art. The graphic designer's job is simply to make the product seem more appealing on an immediate visual level.
There are many ways in which art is used in education. In a literal sense, some teachers teach independent art classes to young students who exhibit creative talents. But art can also be used as a form of therapy, in instructional pamphlets or videos, and in other classroom settings. Art is an especially useful tool with visual learners. From kindergarten to post-graduate work in college, people learn about the process, meaning and history of art. Art education is as diverse as the concept of art itself.
Companies often use artistic images to catch the attention of possible buyers. For example, a car dealership's commercial may want an animated character talking about the great deals offered. A cartoon image on a billboard or print ad are characters usually created by a hired artist. Art is used in advertising with the specific purpose of helping a product seem valuable. If art makes a product look undesirable, the artist has not succeeded in producing good art for advertising purposes. While purists claim that true art cannot be blended with consumerism, the concept of creative visual aesthetics is an inarguable point for the artist who works in advertising.