Graphic designers combine their creativity and artistic talent with their mastery of technologies to create text and images for a variety of clients – from the designing of one small logo to the creation of an entire branding package.
Similar Job Titles:
Digital Designer, Web Designer, UX Designer, Social Media Designer
What Does a Graphic Designer Usually Do?
Graphic Designers design graphics for media products, such as magazines, labels, advertising, and signage.
Here’s a list of activities a Graphic Designer typically performs:
- Meets with clients or the art director to determine the scope of a project
- Expands on the company’s visual identity
- Engages in the Complete Artistic Process
- Presents design concepts to clients or art directors
- Incorporates changes recommended by clients or art directors into final designs
- Reviews designs for errors before printing or publishing them
Meeting With Clients To Determine Project Scope
A Graphic Designer, along with different specialists in the organization, conceptualizes and builds up the visual components that will ultimately fit the client’s needs. This involves everything from defining the goals and concepts to determining what the client has visualized in their mind.
Aside from assembling a strategy for the design work, Graphic Design specialists also plan out seasonal makeovers – for example, holiday rebranding and summer/winter designs.
Expanding on the Company’s Identity
When it comes to branding, continuity is paramount. A Graphic Designer must understand the brand’s desires and needs and create the visual identity of the brand accordingly.
This encompasses everything from the choice of graphic design colors and photographs to the visual tone that the brand uses.
Engaging in the Complete Artistic Process
A Graphic Designer should collaborate closely with all members of the branding and copywriting team, as they are someone who determines the brand personality and ensures the consistency of the deliverables.
In the brief and drafts timeline, a Graphic Designer will give constant feedback to the Art Director and client, ultimately establishing the visual identity of the brand.
Present Design Concepts to Clients
Graphic Design is important for marketing and selling products, and it is a critical component of brochures and logos. Graphic Designers often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing.
This will also involve researching the current and predicted design trends, presenting the research to the client for feedback, and refining the strategy further if need be.
Incorporate Changes Into Final Design
Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client. For example, some designers create the graphics used on product packaging, and others may work on the visual designs used on book jackets. This provides fresh eyes to a client’s goal.
There are times a client may go against a Graphic Designer’s initial design. This is when Graphic Designers should gather the data, provide valuable insights regarding the design and ultimately incorporate the client’s changes into the final design. This can involve putting together meetings and brainstorming further with the Art Director and client.
Review Designs Before Publishing
As the visual perception of the brand, Graphic Designers need to ensure that the final design represents the product accurately. This means there will be multiple reviews and edits with the design team before the design is ready to capture the targeted audience.
Roles a Graphic Designer Typically Collaborates With
A Graphic Designer may work closely with a variety of distinct positions depending on the nature of the business. The most common ones are:
| Roles Graphic Designers Collaborate With | ||
| Art Directors | Copywriters | Photographers |
| Social Media Manager | Market Research Executive | Creative Director |
| Marketing Manager | Brand Manager | Market Research Analyst |
Graphic Designer Salary
The average annual salary for a Graphic Designer in the United States is around $55,000.
Depending on the range of skills, experience, and organization, a Graphic Designer’s yearly compensation can be in the range of $39,000 and $73,000.
What Is the Graphic Designer Pay Difference by Location?
Here is how an average annual Computer Graphic Design salary differs in major U.S. cities:
| City | Average Annual Salary |
| San Francisco, CA | $69,800 |
| Seattle, WA | $61,100 |
| Denver, CO | $56,500 |
| Austin, TX | $54,900 |
| Washington, DC | $62,200 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $55,300 |
| Boston, MA | $62,900 |
| New York, NY | $67,200 |
What Is the Graphic Design Pay Difference by Experience?
A Graphic Designer’s compensation can vary depending on the level of experience. Below is a table of the average pay rates by experience level for a Graphic Designer:
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
| < 1 | $39,000 |
| 1–4 | $43,000 |
| 5–9 | $49,000 |
| 10–19 | $51,000 |
| 20+ | $52,000 |
Graphic Designer Job Description Template
[Company Name] is searching for a skilled, experienced, and inventive Graphic Designer to join our group and assist us with developing the brand’s visual identity.
As a Graphics Designer at [Company], you will be responsible for interpreting the brand and marketing needs of clients to drive sales/revenue and convey a certain message to consumers.
Some of the internal departments you’ll be working closely with include [insert departments—e.g., Creative Director, Photography, Design] to bring the brief and concept to life based on the client’s needs and vision. To thrive, you’ll need to be self-motivated, have excellent communication skills, and show keen attention to detail.
Graphics Designer Responsibilities
- Design and develop product brand identity
- Direct marketing design projects
- Collaborate with multiple departments
- Create and assemble images and graphics to produce designs for websites, print media, product design, displays and productions
Graphics Designer Requirements
- 1–3 years of experience as a Graphic Designer (or 3+ years of experience in a similar role)
- Be creative, adaptable to trends and conceptualise original ideas
- Have a strong, well-rounded portfolio that showcases your individual design aesthetic
- Good communication skills to accurately convey your concepts to clients and team members
- Be a skilled user of design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
- Mindful of client’s needs and the time and costs associated with what you will be delivering
- Have an active interest in art/design and passionate about the work you deliver