All About Graphic Designers
Graphic Designer Definition Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Graphic Designer Responsibilities
- Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
- Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed.
- Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
- Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
- Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.
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Skills Needed to be a Graphic Designer
When polled, Graphic Designers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Other Graphic Designer Job Titles
- Advertising Designer
- Multimedia Designer
- Online Producer
- Catalogue Illustrator
- Concept Artist
Job Opportunities for Graphic Designers
In the United States, there were 266,300 jobs for Graphic Designer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,100 new jobs for Graphic Designer by 2026. The BLS estimates 26,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Graphic Designer are Utah, Washington, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Kentucky. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Graphic Designers Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Graphic Designer ranges between $29,610 and $85,760.
Graphic Designers who work in District of Columbia, Massachusetts, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Graphic Designers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,960 |
| Alaska | $59,640 |
| Arizona | $54,030 |
| Arkansas | $42,250 |
| California | $61,100 |
| Colorado | $56,670 |
| Connecticut | $60,700 |
| Delaware | $50,920 |
| District of Columbia | $71,180 |
| Florida | $48,780 |
| Georgia | $54,260 |
| Hawaii | $51,690 |
| Idaho | $45,620 |
| Illinois | $56,890 |
| Indiana | $45,030 |
| Iowa | $43,920 |
| Kansas | $46,270 |
| Kentucky | $44,550 |
| Louisiana | $45,660 |
| Maine | $45,800 |
| Maryland | $58,610 |
| Massachusetts | $64,010 |
| Michigan | $47,700 |
| Minnesota | $53,500 |
| Mississippi | $42,640 |
| Missouri | $50,350 |
| Montana | $42,220 |
| Nebraska | $47,980 |
| Nevada | $49,330 |
| New Hampshire | $51,710 |
| New Jersey | $59,140 |
| New Mexico | $44,040 |
| New York | $64,840 |
| North Carolina | $49,700 |
| North Dakota | $41,800 |
| Ohio | $50,130 |
| Oklahoma | $40,710 |
| Oregon | $56,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,050 |
| Rhode Island | $58,720 |
| South Carolina | $45,790 |
| South Dakota | $36,300 |
| Tennessee | $48,760 |
| Texas | $50,700 |
| Utah | $48,130 |
| Vermont | $50,000 |
| Virginia | $60,540 |
| Washington | $60,530 |
| West Virginia | $45,360 |
| Wisconsin | $47,980 |
| Wyoming | $38,490 |
What Tools do Graphic Designers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Graphic Designers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- jQuery
- Microsoft Access
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
How do I Become a Graphic Designer?
What education is needed to be a Graphic Designer?
What work experience do I need to become a Graphic Designer?
Who Employs Graphic Designers?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Graphic Designer in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Szilas in the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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