Graphic designers
Additional Information
Duties
Typical graphic designer tasks include:
- Meet with customers or the art director to determine project scope.
- Edit photos and create designs with digital tools.
- A logo, a painting, or a sketch can help express a message.
- Color palettes, images, and typefaces are all used in design.
- Advising clients or art directors on design ideas
- The customer or art director should be consulted on final designs.
- Verify designs before printing or publishing.
Graphic designers, often known as graphic artists or communication designers, integrate art and technology to create images for websites and printed publications. Some design elements can be used to achieve specific aesthetic or decorative purposes.
Graphic designers employ text and images. They commonly design headlines, headers, and body text, including font, size, color, and line spacing. Graphic designers also decide how much space each image and text will have in print or online, as well as their order. In layouts, authors and graphic designers collaborate to choose words and arrange them in paragraphs, lists, or tables. Visual representations such as diagrams and graphics can help explain data.
Brochures and logos are used to market and sell products. As a result, graphic designers typically work with advertising, PR, and marketing experts.
Designers frequently target a certain type of customer. Some designers specialize in book covers, while others specialize in product packaging.
Graphic designers must keep up with new software and computer technology to be competitive.
Postsecondary graphic design teachers can work at design schools, colleges, and universities.
Some graphic designers are keen on creating interactive designs. These designers and the other disciplines they collaborate with benefit museum exhibits, public art events, and retail outlets.
Education
Graphic designers frequently need a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a closely related fine art. Those having a bachelor's degree in another field can pursue technical graphic design courses to meet most hiring standards.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits over 360 art and design schools. Most degree programs involve art, digital design, commercial graphics production, and printing techniques. Students should take additional writing, marketing, and business classes to help them perform better on project teams.
Interested high school students should take basic art and design classes. Many bachelor's degree programs require students to complete a year of fundamental art and design courses before being admitted. Several colleges and institutions require creative work samples as part of the admission process.
Portfolios are a collection of finished works that reflect an artist's style and talents. Many artists, including graphic designers, must create a portfolio due to the importance of portfolios in the hiring process.
Graphic designers must keep up with the latest computer graphics and design tools, either on their own or with formal software training programs. Professional organizations like AIGA offer courses to keep their members' skills current.
Internships are a typical approach for students to gain real-world experience. Internships allow aspiring graphic designers to see the creative process first-hand.
Permits and Permit Numbers
Software vendors supply the majority of certification programs. Certification in graphic design software shows expertise and may provide job seekers an edge.
Advancement
Graphic designers can become chief designers, art directors, and other managers.
Pay
The median annual wage for graphic designers was $61,300 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,030.
Job Projections
Employment of graphic designers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations.