Graphic Designer Job Description

Graphic Designers work on a huge variety of images and objects that people interact with daily, probably without realizing it. Whether you’re looking at a layout in a magazine or browsing eye-catching book covers in a store, a Graphic Designer likely had a hand in those designs. As a whole, the field of graphic design aims to communicate a message or bring awareness to a brand through a combination of images and text.

This overview will explain more about what a Graphic Designer does, what they typically earn, and how to learn the skills required to land a job. 

What is a Graphic Designer?

Graphic Designers use various software tools to create imagery that efficiently communicates an idea to customers. Their work is displayed everywhere, from billboards and magazines to product labels and social media. If that sounds broad, that’s because what a Graphic Designer does depends heavily on where they work. One who works for a publishing company might spend their days developing layouts and editing photos for a magazine. At the same time, one who designs packages will focus on typography and colors so their designs pop.

Where a designer works depends on the method they choose to find employment. Graphic Designers can work for a particular agency, but a vast majority work as independent contractors; some estimates are as high as 90%. Freelance designers can choose their projects, but that doesn’t mean they work independently. Often reporting to a Product Manager or Creative Director, Graphic Designers usually work within a larger team to ensure their designs communicate a client's wishes while remaining on time and on budget.

Knowing more about what a Graphic Designer does, you may wonder whether this career is a good fit for you. Since a design profession is about much more than being creative, it’s essential to understand what sets good designers apart from great ones. The best Graphic Designers are those who can handle criticism and quickly implement feedback; opening your artwork up to critiques puts you in a vulnerable position, so having a thick skin is critical. Since designers often work on multiple projects for multiple clients, strong time management and communication skills are also essential.

Job Requirements

Generally, a Graphic Designer’s portfolio and experience are the most important job requirements. Even entry-level positions will require some experience with graphic design, which you can find through internships and freelancing. Your portfolio represents the work you’re proudest of; it shows a hiring manager your style and allows them to see how your skills have improved over time. Depending on the industry you’ll be designing for, you may also be expected to have more niche experience. 

A high school diploma or GED is a fairly standard requirement to start a career in graphic design. Some positions may require a post-secondary degree (either an associate’s or a bachelor’s), but this is becoming less common as employers recognize the importance of hands-on experience over an education; a candidate with a strong portfolio but no degree will likely land a job over a college graduate with less impressive skills. Other positions might require mastery of specific software programs, which you can demonstrate through an official certification in programs like Photoshop, InDesign, or Illustrator; these aren’t mandatory to find a graphic design job, but they can help you stand out. 

Read more about the job requirements for a Graphic Designer.

Job Responsibilities

Depending on the industry they work in and the designs they help create, the daily responsibilities of a Graphic Designer can vary widely. Below is a list of common tasks a Graphic Designer may have to complete regularly. You can also browse job postings in your area to understand how these responsibilities vary across companies and industries.

• Use design briefs to understand the scope and requirements of an assignment
• Implement knowledge of design principles to create images that will appeal to a wide audience
• Develop logos, illustrations, and other images using professional-grade software programs like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign 
• Collaborate with clients and other team members to ensure a design communicates a brand’s message effectively
• Make changes to designs based on feedback from other stakeholders
• Conduct testing to ensure the graphics remain high-quality across various media
• Review designs before distribution to ensure they are without error
• Continuing education to stay up-to-date on graphic design software tools and trends

Skills

To succeed as a Graphic Designer, you’ll need to start with a solid background in design principles, like typography, composition, and textures. Knowing how these factors work together will help you design images that appeal to the widest audience possible. Graphic Designers should also be familiar with various software programs, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign. Most available positions require experience with at least one of these programs; many require all three.

Since it’s becoming more common for designers to create images for the web, learning some basic coding skills in HTML and CSS can also be beneficial. Other required skills will depend on the specific designs you create in your role. For example, designers who want to focus on improving the user experience of a product will need to be proficient in using programs like Adobe XD or Figma. 

Outside of the technical demands of a career in graphic design, an ideal candidate will also possess several soft skills. Creativity likely goes without saying, but creativity is about more than enjoying and creating art in all its forms; it’s also a skill that needs to be honed. Many creative professionals will complete brief, daily exercises to ensure they’re practicing creative strategies and keeping their skills up-to-date. Graphic Designers should also have excellent communication skills; not only is their work designed to communicate with an audience, but they also frequently work in large teams and need to balance multiple stakeholders' requests as they fine-tune their designs. 

Read more about what skills you need to become a Graphic Designer.

Why Do Businesses Need Graphic Designers?

We often think of communication as words, but the power of visual communication is not to be underestimated; the human brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than text. If a business needs to build awareness of its products efficiently, it will often employ Graphic Designers for this vital task. These professionals have specialized training in concepts like formatting and typography, meaning they know how to create images that appeal to a wide audience.

With Graphic Designers in charge of creating all the branding imagery, a company can be consistent in its messaging, thereby appearing more trustworthy to customers. The most successful designers will continue their education to stay on top of current trends and best practices. This allows them to thoughtfully alter their designs as trends change so a company can appeal to new customers.

Where Do Graphic Designers Usually Work?

Because visual imagery is crucial for any business that wants to engage its audience, Graphic Designers are in demand across nearly every industry. You’ll often find these professionals working in unexpected places, like the healthcare industry, where they can help design fitness apps and care management software. However, there are a handful of industries that most commonly employ Graphic Designers. 

Marketing and advertising simply cannot be done without the work of Graphic Designers. They work as part of a larger team to design visual components of marketing campaigns. A Graphic Designer who works in advertising must pay special attention to creating a recognizable brand while ensuring their designs are unique enough to spark conversation. Graphic Designers also commonly work in manufacturing. In these roles, designers are responsible for creating packaging that will appeal to consumers or sometimes designing the look of a product itself. Graphic Designers who specialize in manufacturing can apply their skills almost anywhere, from cosmetics to food and beverages. 

Graphic Designer Salary and Job Outlook

The average Graphic Designer earns around $54,000 per year, but this can vary widely depending on additional factors like years of experience (Graphic Designers with over ten years of experience earn closer to $70,000) and which city they work in. Some of the highest-paying cities for Graphic Designers include New York, NY, Atlanta, GA, and Los Angeles, CA. Those who work freelance typically charge between $25 and $50 an hour for entry-level work, but more experienced designers can bill over $100 an hour. 

The job outlook for a Graphic Designer depends significantly on their subset of skills. Static images and images for print are becoming less popular as businesses expand their digital footprint, so a Graphic Designer will need to train in creating digital designs to remain competitive. In addition to the standard software programs that Graphic Designers typically use, they can ensure a more stable career path by learning to use programs like Adobe XD for user interface design or Adobe After Effects to learn animation skills. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts only a 3% growth rate for graphic design positions, digital design careers are predicted to grow by 23% by 2031.

Read more about Graphic Designer salaries.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Graphic Designer?

The amount of time it takes to become a Graphic Designer is challenging to pin down because it depends on various factors. A bachelor’s degree in art or design from a college or university will take four years, but some people choose to acquire associate’s degrees or certificates, which can take significantly less time. Students can often complete a graphic design bootcamp in a few weeks or months. Some rare designers are entirely self-taught through video tutorials and design forums, but this method is rarely advised. 

Learning the skills that every Graphic Designer needs may only take a few months if you go the bootcamp route, but it will take additional time to land a job. Many aspiring designers freelance through websites like Fiverr and Upwork to gain experience and build their portfolios as they search for more stable employment. Attending a college course or a bootcamp is an excellent way to reduce the time you’ll spend searching for a job since these programs generally provide networking opportunities and other career support.

Graphic Designer vs. UX Designer

If you’re curious about careers similar to graphic design, you may want to learn more about user experience (UX) design. A UX Designer is responsible for creating a positive and intuitive interaction between a customer and a product. They typically work on applications in the digital sphere, but there are UX Designers who work with physical products as well.

There are plenty of similarities between these two careers. For instance, both positions require experience with some of the same software programs, like Photoshop and Illustrator. However, UX Designers typically work with more advanced technologies, requiring additional computer skills. Both jobs are also in demand in many industries and require solid communication and organizational skills. 

The primary differences between these two roles lie in their salaries and the overall purpose of their work. UX Designers earn higher salaries than Graphic Designers; the average salary for a UX Designer is around $98,000, while Graphic Designers earn closer to $54,000 annually. In terms of their overall goals, a Graphic Designer creates designs that communicate a coherent message to a target audience. UX Designers also want consumers to connect with their work, but their primary focus is ensuring a quality experience for the user.

Learn the Skills to Become a Graphic Designer at Noble Desktop

If you want to start a career in graphic design, the graphic design classes offered by Noble Desktop are an excellent place to start. Students can take all their classes remotely or in-person at their Manhattan campus. For students who want to start slow by just learning one popular design program, Noble offers an Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp, an Adobe InDesign Bootcamp, and an Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp. These beginner-friendly courses take just a few days to complete and will provide students with foundational design skills.

For those who feel ready to dive into a more comprehensive program, Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate might be a better fit. Students will complete hands-on assignments using popular design programs, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. This program is ideal for those hoping to start a career as a Graphic Designer. Certificate students at Noble Desktop receive individual career mentorship, where experts in the design industry help craft resumes and portfolios and provide helpful tips for finding lucrative employment. 

If a class isn’t feasible for your current schedule, Noble Desktop has a host of resources on its website to help start your graphic design career. You can browse their collection of articles about Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign if you’re curious about how each program works. You can also review information about other design tools to see if another field might interest you more.

Key Takeaways

• A Graphic Designer develops various images to help a business communicate its goods and services to customers. They collaborate with their clients and team members to ensure their designs meet the requested standards.
• They can work in a variety of industries or choose to freelance depending on their schedules and preferences.
• Graphic design roles require significant experience with design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. 
• It can take anywhere from a few months to several years to begin a career as a Graphic Designer, depending on your training and experience.
• Graphic Designers typically earn a little over $50,000 a year, but they can improve their job outlook by training in additional programs and learning to create digital images.
• Noble Desktop offers in-person and live online classes to teach prospective students the skills to become Graphic Designers.