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What is a visual designer and how to become one

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

A visual designer is responsible for providing services that will contain visually appealing graphic designs for their clients. The design for various platforms includes the internet, games, movies, etc. Coming up with creative ideas with project teams is also a major job of a visual designer. You need to design original graphics with unique colors, shapes, typography fonts, and enhanced digital images. The aim is to provide visually appealing services and also to submit visual design concepts for brainstorming and approval. For the effectiveness of workflow, you need to work with the project team for feedback and editing.

You are expected to collaborate with IT developers for visual designs with website functionalities, track advancements in visual technology and application, and develop logos and brand images by using prototypes to other products and platforms, including social media. Ability to take directions, communicate, solve problems, negotiate, and understand typography layout and designs, animation, transitions, and motion designs are skills required for this role. As a visual designer, the average salary you will earn every year is $76,228. However, a bachelor's degree in Design or other related fields is necessary.

What general advice would you give to a Visual 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.
ScoreVisual DesignerUS Average
Salary
6.8

Avg. Salary $86,495

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 46.91%

male 53.09%

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

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Visual Designer career paths

Key steps to become a visual designer

  1. Explore visual designer education requirements

    Most common visual designer degrees

    Bachelor's

    74.6 %

    Associate

    12.4 %

    Master's

    8.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific visual designer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Sketch18.82%
    Visual Design8.36%
    Graphic Design5.17%
    UI4.66%
    User Experience4.39%
  3. Complete relevant visual designer training and internships

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

    • Design, project manage, and build retail stores from sketch to completion.
    • Manage website redesign including copywriting and updating all website content.
    • Produce and deliver HTML5, CSS3 and graphical items.
    • Design team brand and logo for organization.
  5. Prepare your visual designer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your visual 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 visual 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 Visual Designer Resume templates

    Build a professional Visual 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 Visual Designer resume.
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    Visual Designer Resume
    Visual Designer Resume
  6. Apply for visual designer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a visual designer 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 Visual Designer Job

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Average visual designer salary

The average Visual Designer salary in the United States is $86,495 per year or $42 per hour. Visual designer salaries range between $51,000 and $143,000 per year.

Average Visual Designer Salary
$86,495 Yearly
$41.58 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do visual designers rate their job?

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Visual Designer 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".


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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 Feb 2020
Pros

Making people look sweet and smart

Cons

Not satisfying the need of my client.... And not able delivering my work as discussed with the client


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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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