How To Become A Layout Designer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a layout designer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.

Layout designers are creative individuals who work as graphic artists or graphic designers. They may be freelancers who take work on a commission basis or are employed in a creative agency. They manage client requests and set expectations based on the requirements of the client. They work with images and text that are intended for publishing or printing. The bulk of their work is ensuring that the images and texts in the projects they are working on are balanced and eye-catching. Layout designers are adept at various graphic design software, applications, or programs. They are able to use the different functions of the programs to achieve the desired effect, as agreed upon with their client.

Layout designers are bachelor's degree holders of courses related to graphic designing, visual communication, and visual arts. They should also have extensive knowledge and familiarity with editing and layout software. While there are some individuals who are creative enough to make it as a layout designer without having a formal educational background, it is still important to have one as it will anchor the individual with theories and techniques involved in designing.

What general advice would you give to a layout designer?

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.

ScoreLayout DesignerUS Average

Salary

7.4

Avg. Salary $94,509

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 39.99%

male 60.01%

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

Key steps to become a layout designer

Explore layout designer education requirements

Most common layout designer degrees

Bachelor's

56.6 %

Associate

29.1 %

Master's

5.2 %

Start to develop specific layout designer skills

Skills	Percentages
CAD	11.06%
CMOS	6.83%
Layout Design	6.75%
Cadence Virtuoso	6.59%
Virtuoso	4.54%

Complete relevant layout designer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New layout 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 layout designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real layout designer resumes.

Research layout designer duties and responsibilities

Lead development team to manage CMOS projects to meet short time frames, keep schedules sharp with excellent time management practices.
Accomplish number of I/O libraries for use in many successfully products.
Lead efforts for debugging DRC, ERC and LVS layout and verification issues.
Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.

Prepare your layout designer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your layout 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 layout 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 layout designer resume templates

Build a professional layout 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 layout designer resume.

Apply for layout designer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a layout 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 do layout designers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

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1 star

Layout designer reviews

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