Graphic designer

Graphic designers create visual branding, adverts, brochures, magazines, website designs, product packaging and displays.


Typical Salary

£20,000 – £40,000

per year

Working Hours

37–40

hours per week

Career Area

Graphic and multimedia designers

View related courses

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

Skills needed

  • 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 get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course

Career 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