What Does a Graphic Designer Do?
A graphic designer creates visual concepts and design materials that help organizations communicate effectively with their audiences. They use layout, typography, imagery, and color to produce digital and print assets that align with brand guidelines and support strategic goals. From logos and brochures to social media graphics and website banners, their work shapes how a brand is seen and remembered.
Graphic designers collaborate with marketing teams, content creators, and developers to bring ideas to life. They must understand the project’s objective, audience, and message, then translate that into clean, functional, and visually engaging designs. Strong communication and feedback skills are essential as they revise work based on input from stakeholders and clients.
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Graphic Designer Core Responsibilities
- Develop visual assets for print, web, social media, and digital marketing
- Design layouts, infographics, presentations, and promotional materials
- Collaborate with writers, marketers, and developers to meet creative objectives
- Ensure brand consistency across all deliverables
- Prepare files for print production and digital deployment
- Edit and retouch images using Photoshop or other design tools
- Contribute to concept development and creative brainstorming
- Manage multiple design projects and meet established deadlines
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
- Strong understanding of layout design, typography, and visual hierarchy
- Experience creating content for both print and digital media
- Familiarity with tools like Canva, Figma, or Sketch (depending on workflow)
- Basic understanding of file formats, color modes (CMYK/RGB), and print specs
Soft skills
- Creative thinking and attention to detail
- Ability to take and apply constructive feedback
- Time management and multitasking in fast-paced environments
- Clear communication and collaboration across teams
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, or a related field
Certifications
Not required, but recommended certifications include Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) and UX/UI design certifications (e.g., from Coursera, Google, or Springboard) if working on digital products.
Preferred Qualifications
- Portfolio demonstrating a range of design projects and creative solutions
- Experience with motion graphics, web design, or branding development
- Familiarity with project management or asset management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, DAM systems)
National Average Salary
Graphic designer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Graphic Designer is:
$77,578
Sample Job Description Templates for Graphic Designers
Junior Graphic Designer
Position Overview
We’re hiring a Junior Graphic Designer to assist in creating marketing and branding materials across print and digital formats. This entry-level role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career designer eager to learn and grow in a fast-paced creative environment.
Responsibilities
- Support senior designers in layout, image editing, and production tasks
- Create social media graphics, flyers, and basic digital ads
- Format presentation decks, sales collateral, and internal documents
- Prepare print-ready files and assist with file version control
- Help maintain brand consistency across all design deliverables
- Receive and apply feedback from multiple stakeholders
Requirements
Hard skills
- Working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
- Familiarity with file formats, color spaces (RGB/CMYK), and layout principles
- Basic understanding of design systems and brand guidelines
Soft skills
- Receptive to feedback and direction
- Organized and able to manage multiple tasks
- Strong attention to detail and layout accuracy
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field
Certifications
- None required; Adobe coursework or portfolio samples recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or freelance experience with real clients or campaigns
Senior Graphic Designer
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Graphic Designer to lead high-visibility design initiatives across digital and print platforms. This role requires a strong visual storyteller with the ability to guide branding, mentor junior designers, and deliver polished creative work from concept to execution.
Responsibilities
- Lead creative development for campaigns, brand updates, and marketing launches
- Design polished assets for websites, events, social media, and paid advertising
- Oversee and refine brand guidelines, ensuring consistency across all platforms
- Review and provide feedback on junior team members’ work
- Collaborate closely with copywriters, marketers, and developers
- Present creative concepts to internal teams and stakeholders
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
- Strong visual identity development and layout composition skills
- Understanding of production processes for both digital and print deliverables
Soft skills
- Creative leadership and conceptual thinking
- Strong interpersonal and presentation skills
- Ability to juggle multiple projects with tight deadlines
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field
Certifications
- Adobe Certified Professional preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of agency or in-house design experience
- Experience with motion graphics or basic video editing is a plus
Brand Designer
Position Overview
We’re looking for a Brand Designer to help shape and evolve our visual identity across channels. This designer will be responsible for maintaining consistency and creativity in how our brand is expressed—from logo use and typography to campaign graphics and collateral.
Responsibilities
- Design and maintain brand assets, logos, icon sets, and typography systems
- Create and update brand guideline documents and templates
- Collaborate on campaign visuals, packaging, and signage
- Develop cohesive visual systems across web, print, and event materials
- Work closely with marketing and product teams to ensure brand alignment
- Audit and improve existing design assets and templates
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in Illustrator, InDesign, and brand documentation tools (e.g., Figma, Canva)
- Strong knowledge of brand strategy, typography, and color theory
- Ability to scale a visual system across different mediums
Soft skills
- Brand-first thinking with excellent attention to detail
- Strong collaborator who works well with creative and strategic teams
- Ability to maintain consistency while evolving brand elements
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in design, visual communication, or branding
Certifications
- Adobe or branding-related certifications are a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working on brand refreshes or new identity systems
Marketing Graphic Designer
Position Overview
We’re hiring a Marketing Graphic Designer to create visually engaging assets that support our advertising, email, social media, and sales campaigns. This role is essential to shaping the creative output of our marketing department and driving audience engagement.
Responsibilities
- Design graphics for social media, digital ads, landing pages, and email campaigns
- Support sales teams with brochures, one-pagers, and presentation materials
- Create visual content aligned with campaign strategy and brand guidelines
- Collaborate with copywriters and marketing managers to develop compelling visuals
- Manage creative asset libraries and templates for ongoing use
- Track and iterate on designs based on engagement metrics
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Canva or Figma
- Experience designing across digital marketing formats (email, banner ads, etc.)
- Strong understanding of file optimization and cross-platform specs
Soft skills
- Deadline-driven with excellent multitasking skills
- Adaptable and collaborative with copy, strategy, and web teams
- Ability to translate marketing goals into visual concepts
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, marketing, or visual communications
Certifications
- Certifications in digital marketing design tools or platforms (optional)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in B2B or B2C marketing environments
- Familiarity with HubSpot, Mailchimp, or ad platforms like Meta and Google Ads
Web Graphic Designer
Position Overview
We’re seeking a Web Graphic Designer to design high-quality digital visuals that enhance user experience and elevate our web presence. This role works closely with UX designers, developers, and content strategists to produce assets for websites, landing pages, and digital interfaces.
Responsibilities
- Design web graphics, homepage banners, CTAs, and digital ad assets
- Ensure design consistency across all web properties and mobile formats
- Collaborate on UI mockups and visual components in Figma or similar tools
- Optimize images and layouts for web performance and accessibility
- Align designs with responsive design principles and UX best practices
- Support product launches with custom graphics and campaign assets
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency with Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch
- Strong knowledge of web resolution standards and responsive design
- Familiarity with HTML/CSS (not required to code, but beneficial)
Soft skills
- Detail-oriented with an understanding of digital behavior and flow
- Strong communicator who can interpret web goals into visual content
- Comfortable collaborating with developers and UX designers
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, digital media, or a related field
Certifications
- UX/UI coursework or certifications are a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with A/B testing visuals or CRO optimization graphics
- Background in SaaS or eCommerce environments