Graphic Designers
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.
- Overview
- Tasks
- Skills
Median Annual Wage: $45,900
Education: Bachelor's degree (81%); Associate's degree (11%); Some college, no degree (4%)
Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)
Related Job Titles: Designer; Design Director; Creative Director; Artist; Graphic Designer; Graphic Artist; Composing Room Supervisor; Creative Manager; Desktop Publisher; Graphic Designer/Production
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Graphic Designers.
- Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
- Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
- Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed.
- Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
- Use computer software to generate new images.
- Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
- Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
- Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.
- Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
- Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.
- Research new software or design concepts.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Graphic Designers.
- Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Graphic Designers.
