What does a graphic designer do?
Graphic designers are visual communicators who create graphic ideas to deliver a message through art and images which inspire, inform, and motivate consumers with the use of computer software, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or by hand. They have the ability to design stunning illustrations that are easily understood, even without a lot of thinking or based on the demand of their clients. It is very crucial to them as well to be flexible and to stay on top of the design trends. They create websites, posters, packaging, logos, advertising, and marketing materials, depending on the nature of the business.
Graphic designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real graphic designer resumes:
- Lead the transition from paste-up, typesetting, pasting up page layout to digital ad/page building and web printing.
- Design new template for magazine as well as ads, flyers, brochures, and cards for a variety of events.
- Plan the development of a social networking site website using HTML, CSS, PHP, and a WordPress management system.
- Compose and create daily advertisements for national automotive dealerships utilizing typography and design concepts while adhering to corporate brand standards.
- Follow style guide requirements to maintain brand integrity with specific treatments of photography, typography, graphic elements and team/sponsor/arena logos.
- Create UI kit for the website.
- Maintain company website in WordPress.
- Design and supply POS material for retail stores.
- Photograph all products and edit in PhotoShop and LightRoom.
- Enhance power point presentations with animation and more attractive graphics.
- Develop new branding, packaging, logos, animation and HTML/CSS.
- Assist designer in cad drawings using illustrator ready for tech packs.
- Place vector artwork and reset any type on cad per customer specs.
- Work closely with members of the sales team to conceptualize and execute marketing strategies.
- Create textile designs for leading men's wear apparel; work with patterns and colors.
Graphic designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Graphic Designers are proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, 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 Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
Designed company logo utilizing Adobe Creative Suite while collaborating with client to determine their visual needs
- Adobe Photoshop, 6%
Created and designed enclosure of incense box enclosure using Adobe PhotoShop, and CorelDRAW.
- Adobe Illustrator, 6%
Focused on creating digital and print marketing materials for small to mid-sized businesses and local non-profit organizations using Adobe Illustrator.
- Typography, 5%
Developed, protected and maintained brand identity through careful management of logo usage, photo selection, typography and messaging.
- Brochures, 5%
Designed print and digital advertising materials, including brochures, direct-mail postcards, sponsorship advertisements, invitations and digital ads
- Design Concepts, 5%
Administered significant value and maximized client exposure by effectively applying design concepts through various campaigns and mediums.
Most graphic designers use their skills in "adobe creative suite," "adobe photoshop," and "adobe illustrator" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential graphic designer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a graphic designer 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 designer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "revamp logos and edit photos/ package design and web design/ new customer, invoices, and quotes data entry/ filing artwork"
Artistic ability. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling graphic designer 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 designer resume, here's how graphic designers can utilize artistic ability in their job responsibilities: "reduced photo editing time by creating custom photoshop actions for color correction and artistic retouching. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of graphic designers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday graphic designer duties, as "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "image manipulation and color correction communication with outside print vendors to receive pricing and to ensure deadlines are met"
Computer skills. A big part of what graphic designers do relies on "computer skills." You can see how essential it is to graphic designer 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 designer tasks: "developed product and package design of jewelry items using hand drawn and computer generated art. "
Creativity. Another crucial skill for a graphic designer to carry out their responsibilities is "creativity." A big part of what graphic designers relies on this skill, since "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." How this skill relates to graphic designer duties can be seen in an example from a graphic designer resume snippet: "guide creative process' from beginning to completion package design/dvd/ posters p.o.p and promotional material production"
Time-management skills. Another skill commonly found on graphic designer job descriptions is "time-management skills." It can come up quite often in graphic designer 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 designer responsibilities: "insert documentation, labels, and package designs while following company branding guidelines under tight deadlines. "
The three companies that hire the most graphic designers are:
- CBRE Group224 graphic designers jobs
- ICF51 graphic designers jobs
- Robert Half45 graphic designers jobs
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Compare different graphic designers
Graphic designer 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a graphic designer are more likely to require skills like "adobe creative suite," "typography," "brochures," and "flyers." On the other hand, a job as an associate designer requires skills like "cad," "customer service," "design projects," and "human centered design." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Associate designers earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $61,366. On the other hand, graphic designers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $59,067.On average, associate designers reach similar levels of education than graphic designers. Associate designers are 2.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Graphic designer vs. Assistant designer
Assistant designers act as administrative support to senior designers in creating innovative designs by negotiating with the vendors about the prices of decoration materials. They are keen and up-to-date to the latest fashion and trends by conducting surveys and research. They are exceptionally creative and innovative and have excellent IT skills as they use illustration, typography, and photography layouts in the design process. However, being an assistant designer, career development relies on his/her /her specialism, reputation, and experience depending on how its opportunities are influenced by the company he/she works for.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, graphic designer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "adobe creative suite," "typography," "brochures," and "graphic design." Meanwhile, an assistant designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "tech packs," "line sheets," "trend research," and "garment construction." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Assistant designers may earn a higher salary than graphic designers, but assistant designers earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $57,526. On the other hand, graphic designers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $59,067.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Assistant designers tend to reach similar levels of education than graphic designers. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for graphic designers 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 designer vs. Graphic artist
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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from graphic designer resumes include skills like "typography," "flyers," "product photography," and "sketch," whereas a graphic artist is more likely to list skills in "photography," "web design," "motion graphics," and "pc. "
Graphic artists earn the highest salary when working in the non profits industry, where they receive an average salary of $68,382. Comparatively, graphic designers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $59,067.graphic artists typically earn similar educational levels compared to graphic designers. Specifically, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Graphic designer vs. Web designer
A web designer is a creative professional responsible for creating and redesigning the content and layout of websites. Web designers are required to meet clients and users to discuss the needs and goals of their clients. To create graphics, colors, and fonts, web designers usually use HTML coding to alter the website's layout. Web designers must build their portfolio by taking on unique projects for themselves and the people they know.
Types of graphic designer
Updated January 8, 2025
