Graphic designer
Graphic designers create visual branding, adverts, brochures, magazines, website designs, product packaging and displays.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a graphic designer, you could:
- discuss the client's requirements and come up with creative ideas
- work out budgets and deadlines
- produce drafts and present your ideas on wording, images and layout
- prepare designs using specialist software
- review what you've done to make sure it meets the design brief
- make presentations to clients for feedback and approval
- keep up to date with design trends and developments in software tools
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio, in an office, at a client's business or from home.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- become a senior designer or creative director
- move into project or studio management
- go freelance or start your own design agency
- take up teaching or lecturing
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of media production and communication
- knowledge of the fine arts
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- excellent verbal communication skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a design related subject like:
- graphic design
- art and design
- communication design
- illustration
Getting work experience during your course will give you an advantage when you start applying for jobs. Talk to your university careers service about work experience, internship and year placement opportunities, as well as any support offered to help you build a portfolio.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- a foundation diploma in art and design
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You could take a college course in graphic design or art and design, and use this to join a company as a design assistant.
You would need a good portfolio to showcase your skills to employers.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
Career tips
There's a lot of competition for graphic design work. You'll need a portfolio that shows your creative ideas, skills and work experience to help you get started.
Experience of using publishing software will also give you an advantage.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Chartered Society of Designers and the International Society of Typographical Designers for professional development and to make industry contacts.
Further information
You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.