Graphic Designers

Also Called: Designer, Graphic Artist, Graphic Designer

Bachelor's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$36,420

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Graphic Designers do

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.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing • Automotive & Machine Repair • Information Technology

Training Program Areas:

Drafting • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing • OCT-Only Information Technology • Sign & Billboard • Visual Communications

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Spend Time Sitting
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Telephone
  • Time Pressure

Tools

  • Laser printers
  • Photocopiers
  • Still cameras
  • Scanners
  • Notebook computers

Technology

Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Video creation and editing software
Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
YouTube
Web platform development software
AJAX
Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Learning

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
design
computers and electronics
Communications
multimedia
Arts and Humanities
English language
music, dance, visual arts, drama, or sculpture
Business
customer service

Education

  • 62% Bachelor's degree
  • 15% Associate's degree
  • 8% Post-secondary certificate

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Camera & Photographic Equipment Repairers

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Audiovisual Equipment Installers & Repairers

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Camera Operators, Television, Video, & Film

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Graphic Designers Currently Selected

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, TX

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

    Tifton, GA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Artistic (Creator)
    • Enterprising (Persuader)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Innovation
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Values

  • Achievement
  • Independence
  • Recognition

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Graphic Designers across the country typically make.

$17.51 / hour
$36,420 /year

Entry Level

$28.32 / hour
$58,910 /year

Median Level

$48.29 / hour
$100,450 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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