What does a graphic artist do?
A graphic artist is either an illustrator or an animator who creates art work that will be used in graphic projects such as advertisements, posters, or even book covers. Although a graphic artist has his/her own style of artwork, he/she may be often commissioned to create art specifically for a particular project. A graphic artist may work with a graphic designer in order to convey the overall message of a project. The portfolio of a graphic artist includes cartoons, illustrations, and graphic novels.
Graphic artist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real graphic artist resumes:
- Manage external communications such as brochures and other sales collateral for direct mail from inception to circulation.
- Develop, debug, and maintain client websites using HTML & CSS, WordPress, and basic use of JavaScript.
- Flash & Dreamweaver software assisting in production of the company website.
- Create custom graphic art for cars, windows, store fronts, business signs.
- Design and implement the company's first Facebook app and engages in designing everything encompassing pixels and print.
- Design, develop and maintain websites as projects present themselves with the use of HTML and WYSIWYG web development tools.
- Create internal and external publications including monthly newsletters and seasonal brochures.
- Handle in-depth costumer service with regional clients for desktop publishing specifications.
- Implement a company Facebook page to strengthen customer loyalty and publicity.
- Perform desktop publishing and print preparation for training materials and relate publications.
- Create original artwork and produce print-ready designs for in-house screen-printing and embroidery.
- Translate designs through digitization into embroidery, applique/twill, and sequin placements.
- Design and produce logos, business/personal stationery packages, advertising and typesetting.
- Develop critical in-depth multimedia PowerPoint presentations for executive staff for use in sales meetings.
- Design advertisements, integrating typesetting, print preparation, color separation, and proofreading.
Graphic artist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Graphic Artists are proficient in Graphic Design, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Graphic Artists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Graphic Design, 12%
Designed brochures and other promotional documentation for the credited and noncredit programs of study Graphic Designer - National Center for Public
- Adobe Photoshop, 10%
Created the company's online presence using HTML, Flash, and Adobe PhotoShop.
- Adobe Illustrator, 9%
Utilized Adobe Illustrator to design logos and manipulate artwork for in advertisements.
- Art Direction, 7%
Collaborated on art direction, graphic content and marketing initiatives.
- Photography, 5%
Transitioned the multimedia services center from film-based photography to digital imaging in compliance with air force regulations.
- Brochures, 4%
Managed external communications such as brochures and other sales collateral for direct mail from inception to circulation.
Common skills that a graphic artist uses to do their job include "graphic design," "adobe photoshop," and "adobe illustrator." You can find details on the most important graphic artist responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a graphic artist to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." Additionally, a graphic artist resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "updated fluid dynamic website dreamweaver and notepad ++ using all w3c standards including metadata, and alt image info. "
Artistic ability. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling graphic artist duties is artistic ability. The role rewards competence in this skill because "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers." According to a graphic artist resume, here's how graphic artists can utilize artistic ability in their job responsibilities: "provide artistic support to management and staff, including scanning, high-resolution digital touch-up and color correction work. "
Communication skills. graphic artists are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to graphic artist responsibilities, because "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." A graphic artist resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "design and complete desktop publishing tasks, craft compelling graphics imagery, and display creative skills to support communication goals. "
Computer skills. A big part of what graphic artists do relies on "computer skills." You can see how essential it is to graphic artist responsibilities because "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical graphic artist tasks: "managed and built out company's internal lan while supporting all desktop computers. "
Creativity. A commonly-found skill in graphic artist job descriptions, "creativity" is essential to what graphic artists do. Graphic artist responsibilities rely on this skill because "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." You can also see how graphic artist duties rely on creativity in this resume example: "achieved this via my ability for color correction, retouching, image manipulation, creative page composition. "
Time-management skills. Another skill commonly found on graphic artist job descriptions is "time-management skills." It can come up quite often in graphic artist duties, since "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day graphic artist responsibilities: "worked as a graphic artist for the magazine, insight, which was a weekly publication of the washington times. "
The three companies that hire the most graphic artists are:
- Northrop Grumman10 graphic artists jobs
- Advantage Solutions8 graphic artists jobs
- Nexstar Media Group6 graphic artists jobs
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Compare different graphic artists
Graphic artist vs. Associate designer
An Associate Designer helps in developing sketches on paper and in graphic design software. They usually are supervised by the junior staff and interns.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, graphic artist responsibilities require skills like "art direction," "photography," "brochures," and "adobe creative suite." Meanwhile a typical associate designer has skills in areas such as "sketch," "customer service," "human centered design," and "space planning." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Associate designers tend to make the most money working in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $61,366. In contrast, graphic artists make the biggest average salary, $68,382, in the non profits industry.On average, associate designers reach similar levels of education than graphic artists. Associate designers are 2.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Graphic artist vs. Visual merchandiser
A visual merchandiser is responsible for arranging product displays at retail outlets, attracting customers to purchase the items. Visual merchandisers should be updated with the latest trends in the market to prioritize retail displays and floor plans. They must also be knowledgeable on product information to assist customers with their inquiries and concerns. Visual merchandisers should be creative in setting up the uniformity of the store's visuals within the budget goals. The designs must be appealing enough to drive the customers around the premises, potentially generating revenues and increasing profitability.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real graphic artist resumes. While graphic artist responsibilities can utilize skills like "graphic design," "adobe photoshop," "adobe illustrator," and "art direction," visual merchandisers use skills like "customer service," "ladders," "sales floor," and "store management."
Visual merchandisers may earn a lower salary than graphic artists, but visual merchandisers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $37,869. On the other hand, graphic artists receive higher pay in the non profits industry, where they earn an average salary of $68,382.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Visual merchandisers tend to reach similar levels of education than graphic artists. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for graphic artists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida
Graphic artist vs. Visual designer
A visual designer is someone who creates designs for a variety of platforms such as Internet and intranet sites, games, and wearables. The duties of visual designers depend on the specific project or industry in which they are working. Duties include creating user-centered interaction models, working with information technology and business teams to resolve complex issues, and designing logos, icons, and infographics. The qualifications to become a visual designer include possessing strong problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills and obtaining a bachelor's degree in design.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a graphic artist is likely to be skilled in "brochures," "posters," "mac," and "sample layouts," while a typical visual designer is skilled in "sketch," "visual design," "ui," and "user experience."
Visual designers make a very good living in the start-up industry with an average annual salary of $121,675. On the other hand, graphic artists are paid the highest salary in the non profits industry, with average annual pay of $68,382.Most visual designers achieve a higher degree level compared to graphic artists. For example, they're 5.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Graphic artist vs. Junior designer
A junior designer is an entry-level professional who is responsible for creating high-quality designs according to the requirements of clients. Under the supervision of senior designers, junior designers must understand project requirements and projects and use various techniques to create drafts, models, and prototypes. They collaborate with team members to pitch in creative ideas and produce final design solutions that can include banners or logos. Junior designers must also take on specially design tasks and use feedback from other designers to improve.
Types of graphic artist
Updated January 8, 2025
