Graphic Designer

Job Description

Do you enjoy creating eye-catching work that fits into a broader strategic picture? A position as a Graphic Designer might be the creative, face-paced role perfect for you.

Graphic Designers use a variety of traditional and digital tools to develop layouts and designs for an array of promotional materials and products. These assets may include magazines, print and digital advertisements, product packaging, corporate messaging, and more. A great Graphic Designer can communicate big ideas through visual concepts that capture consumers’ attention and compel them to act.

Graphic Designers work closely with Copywriters and Art Directors to select the best combination of text and images to convey a piece’s overall message. Graphic Designers are often responsible for selecting fonts, colors, and sizes for a job. Other skills in a Graphic Designer’s toolkit include creating compelling logo designs and other visual elements.

Graphic Designers should be able to articulate and defend their design choices in creative and client reviews. It follows that the best Graphic Designers are also great presenters with strong interpersonal communication skills.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend kickoff meetings with the client or Art Director to assess project scope
• Identify the message and objective of the piece
• Design visual assets that capture the desired product or message
• Select fonts, colors, photography, and other elements for layout and design
• Present concepts and assets to the client or Art Director
• Receive and implement client feedback

Education and Background

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in digital media, fine art, visual communications, or a similar field. However, companies will make exceptions for candidates with outstanding portfolios and hands-on work experience.

Skills and Competencies

• Expertise in traditional and digital graphic design tools, such as Adobe Creative Cloud
• Strong knowledge of visual design principles
• Robust multitasking and time management skills
• Ability to thrive under tight deadlines

Compensation

According to Payscale, the median annual salary of a Graphic Designer with

1 Year of Experience:

• Orlando, Florida: $41,000
• Tampa, Florida: $41,000
• Jacksonville, Florida: $40,000
• Miami, Florida: $42,000
• Atlanta, Georgia: $50,000
• Chicago, Illinois: $50,000
• Houston, Texas: $48,000
• Los Angeles, California: $58,000
• New York City, New York: $59,000
• Seattle, Washington: $55,000
• Overall: $49,000

5 Years of Experience:

• Orlando, Florida: $44,000
• Tampa, Florida: $44,000
• Jacksonville, Florida: $43,000
• Miami, Florida: $46,000
• Atlanta, Georgia: $60,000
• Chicago, Illinois: $54,000
• Houston, Texas: $50,000
• Los Angeles, California: $62,000
• New York City, New York: $64,000
• Seattle, Washington: $60,000
• Overall: $55,000

Similar Titles

• Production Artist
• Studio Artist
• Layout Artist
• Web Designer
• Multimedia Developer
• Digital Graphic Artist
• Art Production Manager
• Visual Image Developer
• Junior Graphic Designer
• Senior Graphic Designer

Career Path

The road to becoming a Graphic Designer can take several twists and turns.

Many candidates begin their journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in one of the arts and design majors. These degrees include fine art, visual communications, photography, digital media, and more.

It is also possible to start a career in graphic design without a degree by building an outstanding creative portfolio. Be it spec work designed on your own time, smaller projects for local clients, or pro bono work, a strong portfolio can make the difference for aspiring Graphic Designers.

Position Trends

Although traditional publishing houses are declining, the rise in digital advertising means Graphic Designers will remain an integral part of any marketing team.

As creators, marketers, and industry thought leaders connect and share their work online, graphic design trends continue to evolve at a fast pace. Motion, animation, and other rich media-friendly elements will help Graphic Designers create compelling interactive content. Learning the tools required to produce these assets will be essential for any Graphic Designer candidate.

Job Outlook

Employment opportunities for Graphic Designers are projected to grow by five percent through 2026, according to CareerPlanner. As more candidates enter the job market, competition for Graphic Designer roles will remain strong. Candidates with excellent creative portfolios and knowledge of design trends will be best prepared to land a Graphic Designer position. Staying up-to-date on the latest graphic design tools will also be critical.

Typical Hours 

The work hours for a Graphic Designer are typically from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in an office setting. However, longer or different hours may, at times, be necessary.

Where You Can Find Jobs

• 4 Corner Resources
• Career Builder
• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Monster
• Zip Recruiter

Are You Interested in Becoming a Graphic Designer?

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