What is a Graphic Designer?
Job Description & Duties 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.
What Do Graphic Designers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Produce still and animated graphics for on-air and taped portions of television news broadcasts, using electronic video equipment.
- Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
- Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.
- Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.
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What Every Graphic Designer Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Graphic Designers say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Other Graphic Designer Job Titles
- Visual Designer
- Advertising Designer
- Creative Director
- Designer
- Concept Artist
Graphic Designer Job Outlook
There were about 266,300 jobs for Graphic Designer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,100 new jobs for Graphic Designer by 2026. The BLS estimates 26,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Graphic Designer are Utah, Washington, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Kentucky. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Graphic Designer
The salary for Graphic Designers ranges between about $29,610 and $85,760 a year.
Graphic Designers who work in District of Columbia, Massachusetts, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Graphic Designers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,960 |
| Alaska | $59,640 |
| Arizona | $54,030 |
| Arkansas | $42,250 |
| California | $61,100 |
| Colorado | $56,670 |
| Connecticut | $60,700 |
| Delaware | $50,920 |
| District of Columbia | $71,180 |
| Florida | $48,780 |
| Georgia | $54,260 |
| Hawaii | $51,690 |
| Idaho | $45,620 |
| Illinois | $56,890 |
| Indiana | $45,030 |
| Iowa | $43,920 |
| Kansas | $46,270 |
| Kentucky | $44,550 |
| Louisiana | $45,660 |
| Maine | $45,800 |
| Maryland | $58,610 |
| Massachusetts | $64,010 |
| Michigan | $47,700 |
| Minnesota | $53,500 |
| Mississippi | $42,640 |
| Missouri | $50,350 |
| Montana | $42,220 |
| Nebraska | $47,980 |
| Nevada | $49,330 |
| New Hampshire | $51,710 |
| New Jersey | $59,140 |
| New Mexico | $44,040 |
| New York | $64,840 |
| North Carolina | $49,700 |
| North Dakota | $41,800 |
| Ohio | $50,130 |
| Oklahoma | $40,710 |
| Oregon | $56,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,050 |
| Rhode Island | $58,720 |
| South Carolina | $45,790 |
| South Dakota | $36,300 |
| Tennessee | $48,760 |
| Texas | $50,700 |
| Utah | $48,130 |
| Vermont | $50,000 |
| Virginia | $60,540 |
| Washington | $60,530 |
| West Virginia | $45,360 |
| Wisconsin | $47,980 |
| Wyoming | $38,490 |
What Tools do Graphic Designers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Graphic Designers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- jQuery
- Microsoft Access
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
How do I Become a Graphic Designer?
Learn what Graphic Designer education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Graphic Designer?
Where Graphic Designers Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Graphic Designer in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Szilas in the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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