Graphic designer
Also called Creative designer.
Graphic designers create printed and digital materials for magazines, packaging, branding, websites and social media.
- Potential salary
- £25,000 starter to £40,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 37 to 40. Working pattern: evenings occasionally.
- Career area
- Creative and design
- Where they might work
- You could work in a creative studio, in an office, at a client's business or from home.
- A typical task
- discuss your client's requirements and come up with creative ideas
- Subjects that may help
- a foundation diploma in art and design
- Typical route
- You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a design related subject, such as: graphic design; art and design; graphic communication; illustration.
- Interest area used here
- Art, design and performance
What you might do
- discuss your client's requirements and come up with creative ideas
- work out budgets, timescales and deadlines
- produce design drafts for images, wording, colours, style and layout
- prepare artwork and templates using design software
- present ideas to the design team and clients for approval
- update materials and online content to match changes to branding
More tasks (1)
- keep up to date with design trends and developments in software
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of media production and communication
- knowledge of the fine arts
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- excellent verbal communication skills
More skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Routes into this career
University route
- You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a design related subject, such as: graphic design; art and design; graphic communication; illustration.
- Getting work experience during your course will give you an advantage when you start applying for jobs. Talk to your university careers service about work experience, internships and year placement opportunities, as well as any support to help you put together a portfolio.
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Animation
Common route. Animation can lead to visual roles. A design portfolio still matters.
- Fine Art
Alternative route. Some artists move into design. The degree is not a design training course.
- Games Development
Alternative route. Art roles need an art portfolio. A programming games degree may not provide one.
- Graphic design
Common route. A usual degree route. A portfolio matters as much as the certificate.
- Illustration
Common route. Illustration can sit beside design work. The portfolios are not identical.
- Product Design
Alternative route. Visual skills overlap. Product design is not graphic design.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could take a college course, which may help later when applying to join a company as a design assistant.
- Courses include: graphic design; art and design; creative and digital media; photography.
- As part of your course, you would build a portfolio to showcase your creative ideas and skills to employers.
Career progression
- With experience, you could: become a senior designer or creative director; move into project or studio management; go freelance or start your own design agency; work in related professions like advertising, marketing, illustration or web design; take up teaching or lecturing.
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- a foundation diploma in art and design
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree