One disadvantage of working in advertising design is that you often must start at the bottom rung, usually an intern -- sometimes unpaid -- position. Advertising designers have one goal: to create a visual representation of a product or service that generates new customers. These representations can be for print, Internet ads, billboards, video animations and more uncommon avenues, such as park benches, bus boards and coffee mugs. Advertising designers must be extremely proficient in graphic design software programs, such as Photoshop, Illustrator and QuarkXPress, but they also must be knowledgeable about production, including the printing process, time frames and Web color requirements. Because of this extensive knowledge base that is required, advertising designers must work their way up the ladder from low-paying, entry-level positions.