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What is a graphic art designer and how to become one
Graphic art design is all about using visual compositions to communicate ideas through typography, imagery, color, and form. Graphic designers are expert communicators. They specialize in creating visual versions of brands, messages, and communications.
Typical duties of graphic designers include client management, illustrating digitally or editing photos, creating logos, and advising on a design scheme, such as color and typefaces, and concept presentations. Graphic designers shape the visual aspects of websites, books, magazines, product packaging, exhibitions, and more. They also assist with creative elements for multi-channel campaigns, including desktop publishing, email marketing, website design, and social media.
If you are interested in working in this field, you should have a strong eye for visual composition and effective time management skills. Successful graphic designers are high-energy, detail-oriented people with excellent problem-solving skills and team players.
To become a graphic designer, you'll need a Bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field. For many positions, proficiency with desktop publishing tools, such as Photoshop, InDesign Quark, and Illustrator, is required.
What general advice would you give to a graphic art designer?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida
Avg. Salary $42,598
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 3%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%
Asian 10.42%
Black or African American 3.42%
Hispanic or Latino 10.63%
Unknown 4.99%
White 70.17%
Genderfemale 48.31%
male 51.69%
Age - 37American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37Stress level is moderate
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Graphic art designer career paths
Key steps to become a graphic art designer
Explore graphic art designer education requirements
Start to develop specific graphic art designer skills
Skills Percentages Graphic Design 34.56% Web Design 13.40% Design 9.76% Autocad 8.35% Photography 6.67% Complete relevant graphic art designer training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New graphic art designers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a graphic art designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real graphic art designer resumes.Research graphic art designer duties and responsibilities
- Create ads, manage copywriting, respond to customer inquiries, generate brand unity, establish clear company identity.
- Prep customer create art for flyers, business cards, posters, etc.
- Create logos, flyers, business cards, marketing materials, and design websites.
- Design a variety of print publications including brochures, programs and banners.
Prepare your graphic art designer resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your graphic art designer resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a graphic art designer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable graphic art designer resume templates
Build a professional graphic art designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your graphic art designer resume.
Apply for graphic art designer jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a graphic art designer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first graphic art designer job
Are you a graphic art designer?
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Average graphic art designer salary
The average graphic art designer salary in the United States is $42,598 per year or $20 per hour. Graphic art designer salaries range between $25,000 and $70,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do graphic art designers rate their job?
Graphic art designer reviews
There is so much to like about working as Graphic Designer ... the seeing how all the elements of words, space, colors, visuals (photos, graphics, charts,...) come together on a page...sharing info with others to learn and use
When working with others who can not make up their minds as deadline approaches nor take responsibility and blames others for their own "misdoings".
It is something I enjoy! Something I’m good at! Something I could do as hobby and get paid for
That I don’t get to do it more often
The ability to communicate with letters and images for to me its the loudess means of communication.
I dislike being un-informed or not being informed on time, For information and time is a essential to me. My time is precious.
Updated January 8, 2025
