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What is a graphic design specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
introduction image

Graphics design specialists are innovative visual communicators. They organize pictures, text, colors, forms, and space to attract interest and communicate messages. They lend their skills to various marketing sources, including advertisements, advertisements, commercials, blogs, mobile phone apps, and movies.

Graphic design specialists could refer to anyone who works on a particular facet of graphic design, such as book and album covers, packaging design, or website design. Alternatively, they may be graphic designers with high-level and wide-ranging expertise and years of experience. Graphic designers specialists can work with design companies, but many are self-employed and have to juggle assignments for multiple clients that can be hectic and overwhelming.

Although an associate degree and advanced training in graphic design software may often be appropriate for technical positions, a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a similar discipline is the standard prerequisite for joining this career field. Through these workshops, students master conventional art styles and graphic design technologies. Courses can include design philosophy, studio art, color theory, photography, and web design.

What general advice would you give to a graphic design specialist?

Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.

Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida

I was once told, if you do what you love, you will never "work" a day in your life. I have found this true in my own career and hope our VPA graduates will find it true in theirs as well. The arts offer such a unique means of engaging and we, as arts educators, have an ability to "reach" those we have contact with, in a unique way.
ScoreGraphic Design SpecialistUS Average
Salary
4.4

Avg. Salary $55,925

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.2

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.5
Race

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%

Gender

female 50.03%

male 49.97%

Age - 37
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37
Stress level
4.2

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Graphic design specialist career paths

Key steps to become a graphic design specialist

  1. Explore graphic design specialist education requirements

    Most common graphic design specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.0 %

    Associate

    23.0 %

    Master's

    4.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific graphic design specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Graphic Design18.66%
    Adobe Creative Suite5.95%
    Visualization4.79%
    PowerPoint4.70%
    HTML3.91%
  3. Complete relevant graphic design specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New graphic design specialists 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 design specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real graphic design specialist resumes.
  4. Gain additional graphic design specialist certifications

    Graphic design specialist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific graphic design specialist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for graphic design specialists include Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP) and Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research graphic design specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Launch and manage the acquistion, design and catalog for the animation line of liscens products.
    • Lead the development and execution of several overhead presentations, advertising design, brochure marketing, and desktop publishing initiatives.
    • Create presentations from customer direction, including graphics, charts, and animation.
    • Build email campaigns, database selection, HTML presentation and quality assurance of all outbound campaigns.
  6. Prepare your graphic design specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your graphic design specialist 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 design specialist 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 design specialist resume templates

    Build a professional graphic design specialist 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 design specialist resume.
    Graphic Design Specialist Resume
    Graphic Design Specialist Resume
    Graphic Design Specialist Resume
    Graphic Design Specialist Resume
    Graphic Design Specialist Resume
    Graphic Design Specialist Resume
    Graphic Design Specialist Resume
    Graphic Design Specialist Resume
    Graphic Design Specialist Resume
  7. Apply for graphic design specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a graphic design specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first graphic design specialist job

Zippi

Are you a graphic design specialist?

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Average graphic design specialist salary

The average graphic design specialist salary in the United States is $55,925 per year or $27 per hour. Graphic design specialist salaries range between $38,000 and $80,000 per year.

Average graphic design specialist salary
$55,925 Yearly
$26.89 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do graphic design specialists rate their job?

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Graphic design specialist reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

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

Cons

When working with others who can not make up their minds as deadline approaches nor take responsibility and blames others for their own "misdoings".


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Creativity, Innovation, Intact Brand Integrity through Brand Guidelines

Cons

Interference in mid of work.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

Being able to combine creativity and analytical skills

Cons

I had to scroll all the way to the bottom to see the salary range.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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