Graphic design is a financially rewarding career for creative individuals.  While graphic design jobs have been difficult to acquire over the past few years, some demand will always exist, particularly for those who possess other skills like web design or specific software knowledge.

Graphic Designer Job Description

A graphic designer communicates ideas and messages through a visual medium.  Graphic design is used in three main types of media: print, digital and production credits for TV and movies.  A graphic designer’s main duties vary by medium and by the type of company they work for. 

In general, a graphic designer’s duties include

• Creating and producing images and logos
• Creating layouts for magazines, newsletters, newspapers, brochures and other print pieces
• Coordinating for production of print pieces
• Creating layouts for websites and digital newsletters or email advertising
• Creating promotional displays including signs and signage systems for public exhibition
• Produce credits for TV and film

Once a graphic design or layout is created, it needs to be produced in the medium it was made for.  A graphic designer may assist or coordinate this production with printers or computer programmers.  Additionally, a high proportion of graphic designers are self employed, so many also sell and market their services.

Much of today’s graphic design is created using software like the Adobe Suite of Photoshop, Illustrator and Pagemaker.  Layout software includes QuarkXpress and InDesign.

Salary Ranges / Job Outlook for Graphic Design

While the design field in general is project to grow on pace with the rest of industry over the next eight years, graphic design in particular will outpace the field.  Decreasing advertising budgets and the dot com fallout over the past four years reduced the demand of advertising for a while.  However, advertising is making a strong comeback so demand for graphic designers is expected to increase.

The salary range for graphic designers is really good.  The median pay rate is $36,680 with the high and low range of the scale at $21,860 at the low end and $64,160 at the high end.

The discrepancy in the pay range is dependent upon experience, responsibilities and the type of employer. 

Advancement in this career is possible by managing teams of graphic designers, or specializing in a field that requires an additional skill set like web design, multimedia presentations, video game design or TV and film production.

Education / Getting Started

Obtaining employment in the design field typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.  Having an understanding of color, proportion, spacing, font use and an eye for aesthetics is very important.  Graphic design relies heavily on computer software in production, so an associates degree, or career training in these programs is beneficial for candidates lacking a four year degree.  Graphic designers receive on the job training and computer programs are always changing, so they must be prepared to update their skills.

Unless you want to start your own design business, eventually possessing a bachelors degree in fine art, marketing or design will benefit your career.

Graphic Design Summary

A career in graphic design, while competitive, can be very rewarding financially and creatively.  One third of designers own their own business.