Graphic Design Job Description: Skills, Requirements, and Career Outlook

Graphic designers transform ideas into captivating visuals, using digital tools or hands-on techniques to engage audiences and communicate with consumers. You may do this using computer software or manually by hand. As a graphic designer, you will work in a variety of different industries, such as advertising, marketing, and publishing, to reach clients. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 21,000 job openings for graphic designers each year for the next decade [1]. 

Learn more about how to pursue this growing occupation.

What is a graphic designer?

Graphic designers work to captivate clients and communicate ideas to consumers in a visual way. This is typically done through graphics, art, and images using a wide range of tools and can be digital or traditional. Graphic designers utilize elements of shape, color, and typography to introduce ideas to an audience. As a graphic designer, you can either work in-house or as a freelance artist depending on the types of clients you wish to work for.

What are the job duties of a graphic designer?

The job duties of a graphic designer range from creative responsibilities to ensuring quality, scheduling, and brand guidelines. The principal goal of a graphic designer is to reach a client, meaning that an essential duty of a graphic designer is to communicate with a client to create various layouts, designs, and logos for a company. 

Examples of typical duties for a graphic designer include: 

Creating visual concepts

A visual concept refers to the style of a product or brand that a graphic designer is responsible for bringing to life. Specific colors and shapes bring a visual concept to life, accurately representing the client’s vision.

Choosing typography and colors

Typography and color are essential elements in graphic design. Typography refers to the art of type and font. It communicates the message clearly and in an aesthetically pleasing way, which sets a certain tone for the visual. Similarly, color can help communicate sentiment in a graphic design project by directing where the audience focuses their attention. 

Collaborating with clients and teams

Graphic designers work closely with clients such as copywriters and marketing professionals. Fostering these relationships requires effective communication to ensure the designs you create align with a particular marketing strategy. 

Producing designs for multiple platforms

Designing for different platforms is an essential skill in today’s digital age of graphic design. These platforms may include social media, website design, print media, and email marketing. 

Revising and editing designs

Constructive feedback from clients is essential to ensuring the graphic designer meets the requirements of the business. This process involves revising and editing designs according to client feedback in order to enhance the quality of the project. 

Graphic designer job requirements

Graphic designers typically hold a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a similar field. Getting a degree in graphic design includes curriculum such as 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, typography, and digital imaging. You can additionally receive a master’s degree, which may positively influence the decisions of future employers when you’re applying for jobs. While a master’s degree is not a requirement to pursue a graphic design profession, it may be beneficial to expand your skills in more advanced topics such as color theory, design research, and entrepreneurship. 

Graphic designer job requirements often include relevant experience and a detailed portfolio. Relevant experience might include from three to six years of experience in the field, depending on the level of position you are pursuing. When hiring a graphic designer, employers typically look for a well-rounded portfolio demonstrating a visual collection of your work. Creating a portfolio with a wide range of examples and work samples can market you as an artist with a diverse skill set. 

What are the skills required for a graphic designer? 

Graphic designer skills range from technical ability to general creative and strategic competencies. A versatile graphic designer will acquire a combination of these skills.

Technical skills

Technical proficiency is essential for a successful graphic designer. Artists often use design software to create digital art for companies and clients. Learning and adapting to different design software is important in a technologically evolving climate. Some examples of commonly used design software include:

• Adobe Photoshop

• Affinity Designer 2

• Canva

• Adobe Illustrator

Workplace skills

Along with technical proficiency, graphic designer skills also require a variety of workplace expertise to succeed in the profession. While graphic design is a creative job, it revolves around the needs of clients and businesses. Developing a professional relationship with these clients requires a combination of business insight and professional skills such as:

• Professional communication

• Project management

• Problem-solving

• Marketing

Graphic designer salary and career outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that graphic designer employment will grow 2 percent from 2023 to 2033. The median annual pay for a graphic designer in 2023 was $58,910 [1]. While employment growth is steady, the demand for creative professionals with diverse skills in digital media continues to offer opportunities in various industries.

How to become a graphic designer

Becoming a graphic designer involves a combination of creativity, education, and technical skills to sell yourself to a client. Becoming well-versed in graphic design theory, skills, and common tools can aid you in your path. 

Education and training 

A typical bachelor's program in graphic design takes four years to complete unless you choose an accelerated degree path. You can also pursue an associate degree, which typically takes two years to complete. Certifications may also be helpful when pursuing a graphic design field, as they can help you stand out to future employers. An Adobe Certified Professional certificate can help you specialize in a specific area.

Portfolio

A comprehensive portfolio is essential for an emerging graphic designer. The portfolio gives you the opportunity to describe each project you have worked on and your accomplishments. A portfolio can also include your resume to lay out your history of graphic design experience and knowledge. A good portfolio typically involves 10 or more projects that showcase your personal style and design abilities, as well as the specific type of graphic design you wish to focus on. 

Build skills listed in a graphic design job description on Coursera

A career in graphic design can be a rewarding choice, as it combines creativity, technical skills, and strategic thinking to bring visual ideas to life across industries. To build your graphic design skills, consider CalArt’s Graphic Design Specialization course available on Coursera. You could also complete an Adobe Graphic Designer Professional Certificate on Coursera to help turn your passion for graphic design into a career.