Graphic Designers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Summary

Graphic designers create visual concepts to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers.

Quick Facts: Graphic Designers
2010 Median Pay	$43,500 per year $20.92 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	279,200
Job Outlook, 2010-20	13% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	37,300

What Graphic Designers Do

Graphic designers create visual concepts, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They help to make an organization recognizable by selecting color, images, or logo designs that represent a particular idea or identity to be used in advertising and promotions.

Work Environment

Most of these workers are employed in specialized design services, publishing, or advertising, public relations and related services. In 2010, about 29 percent of graphic designers were self-employed.

How to Become a Graphic Designer

A bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field is usually required for jobs in this field. Candidates should demonstrate their creativity and originality through a professional portfolio that features their best designs.

Pay

The median annual wage of graphic designers was $43,500 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of graphic designers is projected to increase by 13 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. High job turnover should result in numerous openings. However, competition for senior graphic designer positions will be very strong.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of graphic designers with similar occupations.

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What Graphic Designers Do About this section

Graphic designers create designs either by hand or using computer software packages.

Duties

Graphic designers typically do the following:

Meet with clients or the art director to determine the scope of a project
Advise clients on strategies to reach a particular audience
Determine the message the design should portray
Create images that identify a product or convey a message
Develop graphics and visual or audio images for product illustrations, logos, and websites
Create designs either by hand or using computer software packages
Select colors, images, text style, and layout
Present the design to clients or the art director
Incorporate changes recommended by the clients into the final design
Review designs for errors before printing or publishing them

Graphic designers combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of web screens and printed pages. They may use a variety of design elements to achieve artistic or decorative effects. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.

Graphic designers work with both text and images. They often select the type, font, size, color, and line length of headlines, headings, and text. Graphic designers also decide how images and text will go together on a page or screen, including how much space each will have. When using text in layouts, graphic designers collaborate closely with writers who choose the words and decide whether the words will be put into paragraphs, lists, or tables.

Graphic design is becoming increasingly important in the sales and marketing of products. Therefore, graphic designers, also referred to as graphic artists or communication designers, often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing.

Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client. For example, some create credits for motion pictures, while others work with print media and create signs or posters.

Graphic designers also need to keep up to date with the latest software and computer technologies to remain competitive.

Some individuals with a background in graphic designers teach in design schools, colleges, and universities. For more information, see the profile on postsecondary teachers.

Work Environment About this section

Graphic designers generally work in a studio where they have access to drafting tables and computers.

Graphic designers held about 279,200 jobs in 2010. Graphic designers are most commonly employed in the following industries:

Specialized design services	9%
Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers	9
Advertising, public relations, and related services	8
Printing and related support activities	6
Computer systems design and related services	3

Graphic designers generally work in studios where they have access to drafting tables, computers, and the software necessary to create their designs. Although many graphic designers work independently, those who work for specialized graphic design firms often work as part of a design team. Some designers telecommute. Many graphic designers collaborate with colleagues on projects or work with clients located around the world.

Work Schedules

Most graphic designers work full time, but schedules can vary depending on workload and deadlines.

In 2010, about 29 percent of graphic designers were self-employed. Graphic designers who are self-employed may need to adjust their workday to meet with clients in the evenings or on weekends. In addition, they may spend some of their time looking for new projects or competing with other designers for contracts.

How to Become a Graphic Designer About this section

Graphic designers should demonstrate their creativity and originality through a professional portfolio.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field is usually required. However, those with a bachelor’s degree in another field may pursue technical training in graphic design to meet most hiring qualifications.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits about 300 postsecondary colleges, universities, and independent institutes with programs in art and design. Most schools include studio art, principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and website design. In addition, students should consider courses in writing, marketing, and business, all of which are useful in helping designers work effectively on project teams.

Many programs provide students with the opportunity to build a professional portfolio of their designs. This means collecting examples of their designs from classroom projects, internships, or other experiences. Students can use these examples of their work to demonstrate their design skills when applying for jobs and bidding on projects. A good portfolio often is the deciding factor in getting a job.

Students interested in graphic design programs should take basic art and design courses in high school, if the courses are available. Many bachelor's degree programs require students to have had a year of basic art and design courses before being admitted to a formal degree program. Some schools require applicants to submit sketches and other examples of their artistic ability.

Graphic designers must keep up with new and updated computer graphics and design software, either on their own or through formal software training programs.

Advancement

Beginning graphic designers usually need 1 to 3 years of work experience before they can advance to higher positions. Experienced graphic designers may advance to chief designer, art or creative director, or other supervisory positions.

Important Qualities

Artistic ability. Graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers. They produce rough illustrations of design ideas, either by hand sketching or by using a computer program.

Communication skills. Graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately reflect the desired message and effectively express information.

Computer skills. Most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs.

Creativity. Graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers. They develop unique designs that convey a recognizable meaning on behalf of their clients.

Teamwork. Graphic designers often work on projects with other graphic designers and marketers, business analysts, writers, and programmers. They must collaborate to produce successful websites, publications, and other products.

Time-management skills. Graphic designers often work on multiple projects at the same time, each with a different deadline.

Pay About this section

Graphic Designers

Median annual wages, May 2010

Graphic Designers: $43,500
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations: $42,870
Total, All Occupations: $33,840

The median annual wage of graphic designers was $43,500 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,200, and the top 10 percent earned more than $76,910.

Most graphic designers work full time, but schedules can vary depending on workload and deadlines.

Job Outlook About this section

Graphic Designers

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Total, All Occupations: 14%
Graphic Designers: 13%
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations: 13%

Employment of graphic designers is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Employment of graphic designers in printing and publishing is expected to increase by 2 percent and decline by 4 percent respectively, during the projection period. However, as shown in the table below, employment for graphic designers in computer systems design and related services is expected to grow by 61 percent over the same period.

Computer systems design and related services	61%
Specialized design services	27
Advertising, public relations, and related services	17
Printing and related support activities	2
Publishing industries (except Internet)	-4

With the increased use of the Internet, designers will be needed to create designs and images for portable devices, websites, electronic publications, and video entertainment media.

Graphic designers will take on increasingly important roles in the marketing of products. For example, graphic designers working in advertising or for computer design firms may influence the design of websites and publications. Designers will work with advertising and marketing staff to create graphics for websites, mobile phones, and other technology.

Job Prospects

Graphic designers are expected to face competition for available positions. Many talented individuals are attracted to careers as graphic designers. Prospects will be best for job applicants with website design and other interactive media experience.

Employment projections data for graphic designers, 2010-20
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Change, 2010-20		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Graphic Designers	27-1024	279,200	316,500	13	37,300	[XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of graphic designers.

Occupation	Job Duties	ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION	2010 MEDIAN PAY
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers	Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in a product or service. They work with art directors, sales agents, and financial staff members.	Bachelor’s degree	$108,260
Art Directors	Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions. They create the overall design and direct others who develop artwork or layouts.	Bachelor’s degree	$80,630
Craft and Fine Artists	Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition. Craft artists create handmade objects, such as pottery, glassware, textiles, or other objects that are designed to be functional. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, create original works of art for their aesthetic value, rather than a functional one.	High school diploma or equivalent	$43,470
Desktop Publishers	Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for newspapers, books, brochures, and other items that will be printed or put online. They collect the text, graphics, and other materials they will need and then format them into a finished product.	Associate’s degree	$36,610
Drafters	Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings and plans. Workers in production and construction use these plans to build everything from microchips to skyscrapers.	Associate’s degree	$47,880
Industrial Designers	Industrial designers develop the concepts for manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and toys. They combine art, business, and engineering to make products that people use every day.	Bachelor’s degree	$58,230
Information Security Analysts, Web Developers, and Computer Network Architects	Information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects all use information technology (IT) to advance their organization’s goals. Security analysts ensure a firm’s information stays safe from cyberattacks. Web developers create websites to help firms have a public face. Computer network architects create the internal networks all workers within organizations use.	Bachelor’s degree	$75,660
Multimedia Artists and Animators	Multimedia artists and animators create animation and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other media. They create two- and three-dimensional models and animation.	Bachelor’s degree	$58,510
Printing Workers	Printing workers produce print material in three stages: prepress, press, and binding and finishing. They review specifications, identify and fix problems with printing equipment, and assemble pages.	See How to Become One	$33,150
Technical Writers	Technical writers, also called technical communicators, produce instruction manuals and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information among customers, designers, and manufacturers.	Bachelor’s degree	$63,280