Types of Graphic Design—Exploring Various Design Disciplines

Graphic designers use their artistic talent and design skills to create a wide range of graphics for products, advertising, entertainment, print publications, and more. If you want to start a career in graphic design, you will have the opportunity to work on many different kinds of graphic design projects, often with a different job title than simply “graphic designer.” Explore six areas of graphic design you can specialize in, as well as the job titles and average salaries specific to that field. 

What is graphic design?

Graphic design is the art of creating visuals that communicate a message or idea. Graphic designers use text, images, and other visual elements to create cohesive and aesthetically pleasing designs for various uses. You will use design elements and principles, such as colors, shapes, sizes, textures, lines, and white space, to create balanced, proportionate, and engaging visuals. 

Graphic design salary and job outlook 

According to Glassdoor, the average graphic designer’s salary is $67,327 [1].* 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that graphic designer jobs will grow by 2 percent from 2023 to 2033 [2]. Although that is slower than the average 4 percent growth rate for all industries, Next Move Strategic Consulting reported that the global market size for graphic design reached $57.5 billion in 2023. They project the market will grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 4.5 percent through 2030, reaching a market value of $78.25 billion [3].

*All annual base salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of December 2024 and does not include additional pay, such as commission and benefits.

Types of graphic design 

Various types of graphic design exist across different industries, including UI/UX design, visual branding, marketing and advertising, product and packaging, print and publication, and motion graphics. You can explore these design types, job titles, and average salaries to determine if you want to start a graphics design career in that field. 

User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design

User interface (UI) design and user experience (UX) design are types of graphic design where you focus on creating websites, applications, and other development projects that users will interact with to use the product. While jobs like web designer, user interface designer, user experience designer, and application designer have slightly different responsibilities and roles, all require graphic design skills to create aesthetically pleasing, enjoyable, and easy-to-use products. In user interface design, you may work on a product’s overall aesthetic or focus on more minute details, such as the number of individual interactions a user has as they click, scroll, and otherwise navigate the website or app. In user experience, you will take a more holistic view of the user’s total experience with the product. 

If you specialize in user interface design, you may have a job title other than “graphic designer.” A few other job titles you might pursue in user interface design and the average salary in those roles include: 

• Website designer: $69,261

• User interface designer: $93,988 

• Mobile app designer: $78,435

• User experience designer: $82,801

Visual branding

Visual branding is a type of graphic design where you use art and images to tell a brand’s story and support its marketing efforts. You will use brand assets like logos, typography, colors, and characters or mascots to create consistent marketing materials that help potential customers recognize your imagery and associate it with the brand. 

If you specialize in branding, you may have a job title other than “graphic designer,” especially as you build your skills and take on more varied responsibilities. A few other job titles you might pursue in visual branding design and the average salary in those roles include: 

• Brand designer: $69,466 

• Visual designer: $77,650

• Art director: $91,206

Marketing and advertising design

Marketing and advertising design is a type of graphic design where you create the visual components of advertising. In this field, your work may overlap with visual branding graphics design as you may help create logos and make other creative decisions. You may help set marketing strategy directly or work with other professionals, such as a creative director.

If you specialize in marketing and advertising, you may have a job title other than “graphic designer.” Other job titles you might pursue in marketing and advertising and the average salary in those roles include: 

• Marketing designer: $74,332

• Promotions designer: $71,233

Product and packaging design

Product and packaging design is a type of graphic design where you use your eye for design to create products that people enjoy using or the products’ packaging. You will ensure that your designs contribute to your company’s marketing message and branding experience, translating them into 3D visuals. 

If you specialize in product and packaging design, you may have a job title other than “graphic designer.” Other job titles in product and packaging design to consider and the average salary in that role include: 

• Product designer: $94,588 

• Packaging designer: $83,279

Print and publication design

Print and publication design is a type of graphic design where you use your skills to create compelling print or publication experiences. Despite the prevalence of digital media, you can explore many types of print and publication designs, from printed promotional or marketing items to the layout of magazines, books, or catalogs. In this role, you will use images, shapes, and text to create an engaging layout that appealingly presents information and draws readers in. 

If you specialize in print and publication design, you may have a job title other than “graphic designer.” A few job titles you might pursue in print and publication design and the average salary in those roles include: 

• Layout designer: $80,796

• Magazine designer: $72,968

• Print designer: $65,648

Motion graphics design

Motion graphics design is a type of graphic design that allows you to utilize your skills to create cartoons, video game elements, animations, or special effects for television or movies, and more. You will use specialized software to create graphics that move, often working in a team with other professionals, such as artists, directors, designers, and clients. 

If you specialize in motion graphics or animation, you may have a different job title than “graphic designer.” A few job titles you might pursue in motion graphics design and the average salary in those roles include: 

• Motion graphics designer: $75,428 

• CGI animators: $90,356

• Visual effects artist: $102,674

How to become a graphic designer

To become a graphic designer, you’ll need to gain the education and skills necessary to succeed in the field. You can consider certifications to make yourself more attractive to potential employers and work on building a portfolio to demonstrate your skills. 

Step 1: Complete your education.

Most graphic designers will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field to start working. However, you don’t need to earn a bachelor’s degree to begin taking graphic design work, so you can also focus on learning the skills you need through non-traditional programs. You will need to learn how to use graphic design software, the principles of design, and, if you choose to specialize in an area of graphic design like marketing or print publication, the principles and tools specific to the kind of graphic design you want to do. 

Step 2: Pursue certifications.

You can pursue graphic design certifications to help demonstrate your skills. The most common kind of certification you will find in this industry is a software-related certification offered by the vendors of those applications, such as:

• Adobe Certified Professional (ACP)

• Apple Final Cut Pro Certifications

You can also explore professional certificates to help you learn job-specific skills, like Google’s Google UX Design Professional Certificate. 

Step 3: Build your portfolio.

You can use your portfolio to demonstrate your skills to potential employers. You can create a portfolio that reflects your best projects, a range of projects, or projects specific to the type of graphic design job you want. For example, if you want to become a brand designer, you can create mockups of the brand assets for a fictional company to demonstrate your thought process and skill. 

Learn more about graphic design with Coursera

You can use graphic design skills to create everything from a digital product’s user interface and experience to a company’s brand materials, products and packaging, and special effects in movies. 

If you want to learn more about using your graphic design skills to become a UI/UX designer, consider enrolling in Google’s Google UX Design Professional Certificate on Coursera, a seven-course series designed to help you understand the foundational UI/UX concepts and build a professional portfolio that you can use in job interviews.