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What is a graphic designer/production and how to become one
As a Graphic Designer/Production, you will perform graphic design, assist in product design, and help in the release of printed materials for your businesses. You will work with other designers and artists to set production timelines and produce printed materials. You need to have computer skills, creativity, time management, and determine the message behind the design. You will usually design for magazines, newspapers, direct mail literature, and marketing campaigns. You may also work for computer system design services or Web design companies.
Most employees require a bachelor's degree for entry-level careers in graphic design production. A bachelor's in visual or commercial art will get you far. Experience in digital imaging, graphic illustration, and web design is essential. You also need to have hands-on experience in creating designs and have a portfolio of work. You might just make a median salary of $56,000.
What general advice would you give to a graphic designer/production?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida
Avg. Salary $48,619
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 43.00%
male 57.00%
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 designer/production career paths
Key steps to become a graphic designer/production
Explore graphic designer/production education requirements
Start to develop specific graphic designer/production skills
Skills Percentages Graphic Design 13.92% Adobe Photoshop 8.69% Adobe Illustrator 7.51% Art Direction 5.65% Adobe Indesign 4.72% Complete relevant graphic designer/production training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New graphic designer/productions 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 designer/production based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real graphic designer/production resumes.Research graphic designer/production duties and responsibilities
- Manage production of products; custom banners, t-shirts, satin flags, from concept to final product.
- Manage various publications including catalogs, catalog inserts, brochures, mailers and advertising material.
- Develop and update conference materials, including PowerPoint presentations, posters, handouts, badges, table tents, and folders.
- Produce corporate identity systems and collateral print materials, print advertising, product/capabilities brochures, direct mail and newsletters.
Prepare your graphic designer/production resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your graphic designer/production 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 designer/production 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 designer/production resume templates
Build a professional graphic designer/production 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 designer/production resume.
Apply for graphic designer/production jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a graphic designer/production 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 designer/production job
Are you a graphic designer/production?
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Average graphic designer/production salary
The average graphic designer/production salary in the United States is $48,619 per year or $23 per hour. Graphic designer/production salaries range between $35,000 and $67,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do graphic designer/productions rate their job?
Graphic designer/production 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".
I had to scroll all the way to the bottom to see the salary range.
Working in the production/preflight realm of work is great because I am able to execute the concept that the designer comes up with. I have a very technical role that requires a lot of attention to detail, which is something I enjoy. Also, the competition is stiffer considering most designers are not trained to do production work
A lot of companies and hiring directors don't understand the importance of the role and how much technical skill it requires, therefore a lot of employers tend to pay less, when they should be paying more. This role takes more training.
Updated January 8, 2025
