Graphic Designer
A graphic designer is a professional who uses visual elements to create compelling products and promotional materials, including logos, business cards, and comprehensive branding campaigns. They primarily work with graphic design and animation software, although traditional artistic techniques like painting may still be utilized on occasion. Graphic designers typically find employment in industries such as publishing, advertising, and marketing, and they may also operate as freelancers or within design firms. The role involves collaboration with various team members, including writers, market researchers, and other creatives, to develop a cohesive brand image and aesthetic for clients. Key skills for graphic designers include creativity, problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication, as they often receive feedback and work under tight deadlines. Educational pathways usually include a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field, along with a portfolio showcasing artistic abilities. As technology evolves, graphic designers may also engage in web design, animation, and other digital media forms, continually adapting to new tools and trends in the industry.
Graphic Designer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Arts, A/V Technology & Communications, Business, Management & Administration, Information Technology
Interests: Visual arts, advertising, marketing, being creative, communicating with others
Earnings (Yearly Median): $57,990 per year $27.88 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 3% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree; portfolio
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Graphic designers create visually appealing products and promotional materials that range from simple logos or business cards to entire corporate branding campaigns. Their work is intended to convey a commercial message or otherwise draw attention to an idea, which they accomplish mostly with sophisticated graphic design and animation software. Traditional artistic mediums, such as printmaking or painting, continue to be used, but sporadically. A designer interested in a long-term career must also learn skills in animation, digital video production, copywriting, web design, or marketing, or collaborate frequently with people who possess these skill sets or perform these job functions.
Work Environment. Graphic designers work mostly in the publishing, advertising, and marketing industries, but some work for graphic design firms or government agencies. Many are self-employed. They spend much of their time working on computers but may also have access to a full art studio. If self-employed, they interact heavily with clients. If employed in a design firm or design department, they interact with a team of professionals and staff and have less direct contact with clients; however, some customer service is necessary when choosing the final design—a process that can take anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks.
Occupation Interest. People who are attracted to graphic design tend to be creative thinkers who are interested in solving problems with images or in making the world more visually interesting. They are artistic and have a good eye for detail, but are also capable of seeing the big picture and being flexible in their presentation of multiple design ideas for a single project. They must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills since they almost always work closely with members of a team. They must be able to handle criticism and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Graphic designers are responsible for planning and carrying out projects that fulfill their clients’ needs. One major specialty is branding, in which the designer works with a team of writers, artists, market researchers, and others to create a company’s image, including a recognizable logo, stylized advertisements, catchy slogans, and high-tech trade show displays. The designer will suggest colors, images, fonts, and other artistic elements and then create several sample designs for each element of the branding campaign.
Graphic designers create the covers and interior layouts for magazines, books, brochures, newspapers, and other print materials. Typically, they work with editors to acquire the articles and advertisements and then fit them into the allotted space in the most appealing manner. Graphic designers select fonts, graphics, and other design elements (in collaboration with the client or author if the project is a book) and also design internal advertisements that are presented with the final product.
The study of graphic design discipline includes the option to learn website design skills, so some graphic designers specialize in web design and are able to earn a living without working on any print design projects. Some graphic designers collaborate with programmers to create computer or video games, with authors to create graphic novels, with interior decorators to plan the interiors of businesses, or with architects to design public spaces.
Self-employed graphic designers must also spend some of their time marketing their services, billing customers, preparing contracts, and handling other administrative and business management tasks.
Fashion Artists (141.061-014). Fashion artists draw stylish illustrations of new clothing fashions for newspapers or related advertisements.
Illustrators (141.061-022). Illustrators create pictures for books, magazines, billboards, posters, and record albums.
Medical and Scientific Illustrators (141.061-026). Medical and scientific illustrators draw precise illustrations of machines, plants, animals, or parts of the human body or animal bodies for business and educational purposes.
Set Illustrators (141.061-030). Set illustrators build and decorate sets for movies, television, and theatrical productions.
Motion Picture Cartoonists (141.081-010). Motion picture cartoonists draw series of pictures for animated films shown on TV and in movies.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Graphic designers usually work in studios or offices surrounded by art samples and design reference materials. If a project has a tight deadline, the graphic designer can expect to work some evening hours or work on the design from their home computer until the project is done.
Human Environment. In larger design firms and departments, a graphic designer is often one member of a creative team comprised of photographers, illustrators, web developers, and others who collaborate on projects under the supervision of a creative director. Designers may also work with market researchers, architects, interior designers, content editors, clients, authors, and other professionals outside the firm.
Technological Environment. Graphic designers often use computer software for cover design, manipulating and creating illustrations, designing page layouts, editing and placing digital photographs, and other purposes. They also use digital still-photography and video cameras, scanners, printmaking equipment, printing and publishing equipment, and other tools. Each design project is different and may require different resources, so graphic designers should enjoy learning new skills.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. Students should pursue a comprehensive college-preparatory program that includes courses in art, graphic design, and the social sciences. Other relevant courses include film, multimedia art, photography, and industrial arts. Awareness of contemporary graphic design, web design, and animation software programs is extremely important. Most college admissions programs require a portfolio of artistic work, which might include digital designs, hand-drawn sketches or paintings, sculptures, and other sample work.
Postsecondary. Most entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree from an art school or program. Graphic design programs include courses in studio art, design, computer graphics, printing, and other graphic design specialties. Programs should include the option to work an internship. A general awareness of contemporary design is also helpful. The development of a portfolio for use in future job searches is essential, so many graphic design students make an effort to obtain freelance work.
Related Occupations
− Designer
− Electronic Commerce Specialist
− Medical and Scientific Illustrator
− Multimedia Artist and Animator
Bibliography
"Graphic Designers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.