Become A Senior Graphic Designer
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Working As A Senior Graphic Designer
- Thinking Creatively
- Interacting With Computers
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
Mostly Sitting
Repetitive
Stressful
$63,786
Average Salary
What Does A Senior Graphic Designer Do
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.
DutiesGraphic designers typically do the following:
- Meet with clients or the art director to determine the scope of a project
- Use digital illustration, photo-editing software, and layout software to create designs
- Create visual elements such as logos, original images, and illustrations that help deliver a desired message
- Design layouts and select colors, images, and typefaces to use
- Present design concepts to clients or art directors
- Incorporate changes recommended by clients or art directors into final designs
- Review designs for errors before printing or publishing them
Graphic designers combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of websites and printed pages. They may use a variety of design elements to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Graphic designers work with both text and images. They often select the type, font, size, color, and line length of headlines, headings, and text. Graphic designers also decide how images and text will go together on a print or webpage, including how much space each will have. When using text in layouts, graphic designers collaborate closely with writers who choose the words and decide whether the words will be put into paragraphs, lists, or tables. Through the use of images, text, and color, graphic designers can transform statistical data into visual graphics and diagrams, which can make complex ideas more accessible.
Graphic design is important to marketing and selling products, and is a critical component of brochures and logos. Therefore, graphic designers, also referred to as graphic artists or communication designers, often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing.
Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client. For example, some create the graphics used on retail products packaging, still others may work on the visual designs used on book jackets.
Graphic designers need to keep up to date with the latest software and computer technologies to remain competitive.
Some individuals with a background in graphic design teach in design schools, colleges, and universities. For more information, see the profile on postsecondary teachers.
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How To Become A Senior Graphic Designer
Graphic designers usually need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field. Candidates for graphic design positions should demonstrate their creativity and originality through a professional portfolio that features their best designs.
EducationA bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field is usually required. However, those with a bachelor’s degree in another field may pursue technical training in graphic design to meet most hiring qualifications.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits about 320 postsecondary colleges, universities, and independent institutes with programs in art and design. Most schools include studio art, principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and website design. In addition, students should consider courses in writing, marketing, and business, all of which are useful in helping designers work effectively on project teams.
High school students interested in graphic design should take basic art and design courses in high school, if the courses are available. Many bachelor's degree programs require students to complete a year of basic art and design courses before being admitted to a formal degree program. Some schools require applicants to submit sketches and other examples of their artistic ability.
Many programs provide students with the opportunity to build a professional portfolio of their designs. For many artists, including graphic designers, developing a portfolio—a collection of design ideas that demonstrates their styles and abilities—is essential because employers rely heavily on a designer’s portfolio in deciding whether to hire the individual.
Graphic designers must keep up with new and updated computer graphics and design software, either on their own or through formal software training programs. Professional associations that specialize in graphic design, such as AIGA, offer courses intended to keep the skills of their members up to date.
Other ExperienceGraphic designers often gain their initial experience through internships. It provides aspiring graphic designers an opportunity to work with designers and experience the design process from concept to completion while completing a design program.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsCertification programs are generally available through software product vendors. Certification in graphic design software can demonstrate a level of competence and may provide a jobseeker with a competitive advantage.
AdvancementExperienced graphic designers may advance to chief designer, art director, or other supervisory positions.
Important QualitiesAnalytical skills. Graphic designers must be able to look at their work from the point of view of their consumers and examine how the designs they develop will be perceived by consumers to ensure they convey the client’s desired message.
Artistic ability. Graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers. They produce rough illustrations of design ideas, either by hand sketching or by using computer programs.
Communication skills. Graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately reflect the desired message and effectively express information.
Computer skills. Most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs.
Creativity. Graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers. They develop unique designs that convey a recognizable meaning on behalf of their clients.
Time-management skills. Graphic designers often work on multiple projects at the same time, each with a different deadline.
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Senior Graphic Designer jobs
Senior Graphic Designer Demographic
Gender
-
Male
51.1% -
Female
46.6% -
Unknown
2.3%
Ethnicity
-
White
76.5% -
Hispanic or Latino
11.7% -
Asian
9.3% -
Unknown
2.0% -
Black or African American
0.5%
Languages Spoken
-
Spanish
49.7% -
French
9.1% -
Chinese
5.6% -
Portuguese
4.9% -
Korean
4.2% -
Japanese
3.5% -
Swedish
2.8% -
Mandarin
2.8% -
Russian
2.8% -
Turkish
2.1% -
Armenian
2.1% -
Italian
2.1% -
German
2.1% -
Vietnamese
1.4% -
Norwegian
1.4% -
Estonian
0.7% -
Romanian
0.7% -
Luganda
0.7% -
Gujarati
0.7% -
Hindi
0.7%
Senior Graphic Designer
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Senior Graphic Designer Typical Career Paths
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Senior Graphic Designer 5.0 years
-
Graphic Artist 4.3 years
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Senior Designer/Art Director 4.2 years
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Graphic Designer/Illustrator 4.2 years
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Art Director 4.0 years
-
Designer/Art Director 3.9 years
-
Graphics Coordinator 3.7 years
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Graphic Design Manager 3.7 years
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Graphic Design Specialist 3.6 years
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Graphic Designer/Production 3.6 years
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Marketing Manager/Graphic Designer 3.4 years
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Graphic Designer/Coordinator 3.2 years
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Graphic Designer And Photographer 3.2 years
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Graphic Designer, Marketing 3.0 years
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Graphic Design Consultant 3.0 years
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Lead Graphic Designer 2.9 years
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Head Graphic Designer 2.9 years
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Graphic Designer/Editor 2.7 years
-
Marketing Designer 2.6 years
-
Production Designer 2.5 years
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Associate Graphic Designer 2.4 years
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Freelance Designer 2.3 years
-
Graphic Designer/Marketing Assistant 2.2 years
-
Contract Graphic Designer 2.0 years
-
Junior Graphic Designer 1.3 years
-
Student Graphic Designer 1.2 years
-
Graphic Designer Internship 0.6 years
Average Length of Employment
Senior Graphic Designer Education
-
Savannah College of Art and Design
13.5% -
Fashion Institute of Technology
8.6% -
Art Institute of Pittsburgh
7.0% -
School of Visual Arts
6.5% -
Rochester Institute of Technology
5.6% -
Pratt Institute-Main
5.1% -
Art Institute of Philadelphia
4.9% -
Virginia Commonwealth University
4.8% -
Academy of Art University
4.5% -
Full Sail University
4.1% -
Rhode Island School of Design
4.1% -
Art Institute of Houston
4.0% -
Northern Illinois University
3.8% -
Syracuse University
3.7% -
Art Institute of Atlanta
3.7% -
California State University - Fullerton
3.3% -
George Mason University
3.3% -
San Jose State University
3.2% -
Art Institute of California - Inland
3.2% -
Iowa State University
3.2% -
Graphic Design 54.4%
-
Fine Arts 9.7%
-
-
-
Communication 2.9%
-
Marketing 2.6%
-
Business 2.3%
-
-
Advertising 1.5%
-
Computer Science 1.5%
-
Photography 1.3%
-
-
Animation 1.2%
-
-
Education 1.0%
-
Journalism 0.9%
-
Management 0.8%
-
Public Relations 0.8%
-
English 0.7%
-
-
Bachelors
55.6% -
Other
15.9% -
Associate
12.2% -
Masters
9.2% -
Certificate
5.6% -
Diploma
1.3% -
Doctorate
0.1% -
License
0.0%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Senior Graphic Designer
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Senior Graphic Designer Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Graphic Designer (Global Design) | Uniqlo Global Innovation Center, Inc. | New York, NY | Aug 02, 2016 | $140,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Collins Partners LLC | New York, NY | Oct 19, 2015 | $135,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Open-Mesh, Inc. | Lake Oswego, OR | Sep 01, 2015 | $125,000 |
| Senior Interactive Graphic Designer | RDA International | New York, NY | Aug 02, 2016 | $120,000 |
| SR. Product Graphic Designer | NIKE, Inc. | Beaverton, OR | Sep 05, 2015 | $116,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Open-Mesh, Inc. | Lake Oswego, OR | Aug 01, 2015 | $113,850 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Quirky, Inc. | New York, NY | Feb 27, 2015 | $102,149 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Abercrombie & Fitch Trading Co. | New Albany, OH | Oct 14, 2015 | $100,000 - $150,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer (UX Designer) | Kidaptive, Inc. | Mountain View, CA | Feb 15, 2016 | $100,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | GLU Mobile Inc. | San Francisco, CA | Jun 24, 2016 | $98,200 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | GLU Mobile Inc. | San Francisco, CA | Feb 09, 2016 | $98,200 |
| SR. Graphic Designer | Bath & Body Works, LLC | Reynoldsburg, OH | May 25, 2016 | $96,800 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Direct Agents | New York, NY | Aug 08, 2016 | $96,637 |
| Senior Visual Designer/Graphic Designer | 24 Seven, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Nov 14, 2016 | $93,915 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Hearst Communications Inc.-Hearst Magazines Division | New York, NY | Jan 11, 2016 | $78,500 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | New York, NY | Mar 16, 2015 | $78,300 - $83,300 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Three Brothers Accessories, Inc. | New York, NY | Aug 29, 2016 | $78,300 |
| SR. Graphic Designer | Enchante Accessories, Inc. | New York, NY | Aug 28, 2015 | $78,291 |
| Senior Graphics Designer | Camp Profiles LLC | Brookline, MA | Jul 01, 2015 | $77,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | HNTB Corporation | Kansas City, MO | Dec 04, 2015 | $66,227 |
| Senior Manager Jc45-Graphic Designers | Cognizant Technology Solutions U.S. Corporation | Bloomington, MN | Dec 17, 2016 | $65,874 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Newman Moran LLC (D.B.A Co-Op Branding) | New York, NY | Sep 13, 2015 | $65,000 |
| SR. Graphic Designer | Hexacorp LLC | Dallas, TX | Aug 07, 2015 | $65,000 - $75,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Idea Design Concepts, Inc. | Hackensack, NJ | Mar 17, 2015 | $65,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Three Brother's Accessories, Inc. | New York, NY | Aug 17, 2015 | $65,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Benchmark Education Company, LLC. | New Rochelle, NY | Sep 03, 2015 | $65,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Three Brothers Inc. | New York, NY | Sep 01, 2015 | $65,000 |
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Top Skills for A Senior Graphic Designer
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Top Senior Graphic Designer Skills
- Company Website
- Brochures
- Adobe Photoshop
- Participated in strategy discussions about company website and what improvements could be implemented to provide the best user experience for customers.
- Completed multiple projects while meeting tight deadlines, projects included: brochures, direct mail, logos and company promotional items.
- Designed Graphic elements in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
- Developed national brand logos including a brand logo for a popular Denver retail boutique featured in Graphis Logo Design 5.
- Design Manager Provide art direction to experienced staff designers and contractors.
Top Senior Graphic Designer Employers
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