Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Graphic Designers
Graphic Designers design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Table of contents
What they do
Graphic Designers design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
- Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy and select style and size of type.
- Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
- Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Graphic Designers use computer software to generate new images. They key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
A typical day for a Graphic Designer will also include:
- Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy and select style and size of type.
- Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
- Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Graphic Designers also confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design. They may also study illustrations and photographs to plan the presentation of materials, products, or services.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Graphic Designers maintain an archive of images, photos, or previous work products. They might also research new software or design concepts.
In addition, they draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using a computer.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for the printer.
To some Graphic Designers, it is also their responsibility to prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.
Featured Schools
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
64% said they were satisfied with their job and 34% said they found their job meaningful.
My Typical Day You never know what your email holds for you. Whatever long jobs are in the queue (like brochures, books, and logos), the day is always peppered with “little jobs” (or so they are viewed by clients) that have to be strategically inserted into the day to meet deadlines. Advertising and marketing never … Read More
I design custom truck window decals for customers at my own business. While there is no typical day per se, the way I work is to gather all the info I can from our customers – files, ideas, measurements, etc. I then layout a few options and email them a proof. Depending on when they … Read More
I am a freelance graphic designer and have done this both part-time and full-time for the past 19 years. I have also worked inside a company as a graphic designer in several positions. Home workspace My typical work day as a freelancer (which is my current full-time job) looks like this… Wake up and get … Read More
I am a communications designer. We express information through visuals. Communication designers are especially adept at marketing design on both digital and print mediums. As the lead designer, I’ve built a specialty in infographics and data visualization also. Infographics involve high visuals and typography to bring facts to users. Design for a dashboard solution for … Read More
I am a self-employed graphic designer. Designing is obviously a creative job, but being a freelancer/business owner requires structure and routine. I wake up early every morning, fuel up with breakfast and coffee, feed my dogs and ideally get to work by 8am. I use a digital project management system to help me stay organized … Read More
I’m a graphic and web designer working across print, web, digital. In particular, I design websites, logos, branding, print collateral. I divide my time between in-house and client work – this means I produce design work to market our own company (in-house) and also produce designs for our clients. This can include: Quoting for new … Read More
I’m a graphic designer that designs logos, websites, and supporting graphics for multi-million dollar sales presentations. I graduated with a BFA with an emphasis in graphic design in 1996 and have been a professional designer ever since. I typically respond to emails in the morning and potentially put out a few small fires. Graphic edits … Read More
I am a graphic designer, working across motion graphics, textile design, and branding. I previously worked as an agency packaging designer with brands such as Nescafe and Johnnie Walker and Cadbury’s. I now run my own Art and Design agency. My typical day Very early mornings (5am) are my time for exercise and learning. Whilst … Read More
My name is June and I’m a graphic designer. As a graphic designer, I spend most of my time on design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Fixing photos, creating logos, posters, changing sizes of artwork, presenting my work to clients are my daily work routine. I would say what takes most of … Read More
I worked for a baseball venue as a graphic designer in the Chicagoland area back in 2016. My typical day was a 9-5 of preparing for the actual games that would happen in the evening. I would prepare graphics for the video board, print flyers for upcoming venue events, and any other prep work needed … Read More
It can be rewarding, but it’s a balancing act. What I mean by that is it’s about creating beautiful work, but it’s not fine art. You have to recognize the balance between creating something attractive and functional for your client and the fact that it’s not something you do for self-expression – you’re there to … Read More
I’ve been a graphic designer for 2 years now with a 19-year-old magazine, CATALINA. It’s in print and in a digital, interactive version. Being a graphic designer means I get to transform a white space into functional art for others to enjoy. I get to fill space with something beautiful. When you’re impressed by your … Read More
My name is Katie Dooley and I am the owner and lead designer of Paper Lime Creative, a boutique graphic design and branding studio in Edmonton, Canada. I have been in the graphic design industry for 9 years and I can’t imagine doing anything else. What’s it like being a graphic designer? Let me tell … Read More
For me being a graphic designer is me having my dream job. Ever since I was a child I always tweaked and formatted my assignments and have never stopped. I design business and documents. I say the more pages the better. I get to be in the zone. It is soothing for my methodical, systematic … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Demand for this career is growing.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
Salary is below average.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Graphic Designers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $31,720 to $40,160 per year or $15 to $19 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $93,440 | $45 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $71,310 | $34 |
| Median | $53,380 | $26 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $40,160 | $19 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $31,720 | $15 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Graphic Designers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $88090 | $42.35 |
| Software Publishers | $81610 | $39.23 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $80000 | $38.46 |
| Legal Services | $77790 | $37.40 |
| Cable and Other Subscription Programming | $77090 | $37.06 |
| Nondepository Credit Intermediation | $74980 | $36.05 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | $74830 | $35.97 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $73640 | $35.41 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | $73060 | $35.13 |
| Individual and Family Services | $72990 | $35.09 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Graphic Designers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Graphic Designers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialized Design Services | 24260 | $59670 | $28.69 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 20430 | $60330 | $29.00 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 17400 | $45770 | $22.01 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | 11820 | $50010 | $24.04 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 10790 | $62180 | $29.90 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 8440 | $46770 | $22.48 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 8310 | $66240 | $31.85 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 6800 | $65890 | $31.68 |
| Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses | 4530 | $58820 | $28.28 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 3940 | $54490 | $26.20 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Digital Arts
Design and Visual Communications
Commercial and Advertising Art
Industrial and Product Design
Graphic Design
Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
Computer Graphics
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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