Why Graphic Design Is a Good Career Choice: Salaries, Requirements, and More

Graphic designers are visual artists who use computer software, illustration, or typography to turn ideas into original concepts. A career in graphic design involves various projects that call for different art skills and design elements, depending on the role. Whether your passion is storytelling or graphic art, learn more about this career to see if it’s right for you. 

What is graphic design?

Graphic design uses software or freehand art to create visual content that communicates messages. A graphic designer uses different visual designs, such as print and digital art, to influence consumer emotion about a product or brand. 

Through graphic design, companies can connect with audiences by visually promoting their products and services. In this role, your work focuses on conveying a visual message or developing brand identity.

What does a career in graphic design look like? 

A graphic design career uses art and technology to create various visual assets. As a graphic designer, you’ll develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, posters, and magazines. When you begin a design, you’ll typically start with rough illustrations by hand or computer. 

Many designers create a process book for clients to show the process of a design project from start to finish. The process book can also include a mood board that allows the client to select colours, patterns, textures, typography, and other design elements. Process books help graphic designers establish their approach and the techniques they’ll apply to their design strategy in the final product.

As a graphic designer, your job duties might also include:

• Meeting with clients to discuss projects and present ideas

• Creating work with software programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator

• Revising designs to meet client specifications

• Testing the final product to ensure it meets graphic specifications 

What do graphic designers typically work on?

As a graphic designer, you can specialise in one type of design or various projects. You might work on the following:

• Adverts 

• Websites

• Marketing (i.e. posters, flyers) 

• Visual branding

• Company logos 

• Product packaging 

Reasons to become a graphic designer

If your goal is to work in a creative field, graphic design offers opportunities to apply your artistic talents as a remote employee, in an office setting, or as a freelancer. In this role, you can share your skills and passion for creativity. 

You’ll typically work on various projects to meet various client needs. Working with clients in different industries helps you remain inspired and broaden your creative horizons. If you prefer to be your boss, you can be self-employed and a freelancer. Choosing freelance graphic design can help you achieve more creative freedom and enjoy the convenience of working when and where you want. 

When pursuing a graphic design career, you may specialise in your preferred creative field. Whether you love working with typography, illustration, or web design, you’ll likely find opportunities to match your creative goals.

Career paths related to graphic design

Graphic designers often work with still imagery. Some related jobs require similar skills, such as proficiency with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator programmes. Below, you can find a few examples of related roles along with their average salaries.

Animator

Average annual base salary: £30,123 [1]

While graphic designers create static art, animators use moving elements. Animators bring objects or characters to life using special effects, animations, and visual images. In this role, you might work in 2-D or 3-D design, character animation, or image editing. You’ll create frames and storyboards and work out content movement. 

Art director

Average annual base salary: £44,281 [2]

As an art director, you’d typically be responsible for image aesthetics in advertisements, publications, and cinematography production. Like a graphic designer, you’ll create a design and direct others to develop artwork and layouts. 

Design teacher

Average annual base salary: £32,044 [3]

Graphic design teachers are needed in secondary and higher education degree programmes. Your teaching would fall under this role's technical or vocational education umbrella. You’ll present lectures, develop a curriculum, advise students, and more. 

User experience (UX) designer

Average annual base salary: £47,887 [4]

The UX designer looks for ways to make products and services more user-friendly and accessible. As a UX designer, you will work with digital designs for websites and apps. You’ll also work with static and animated imagery to create a seamless user experience. 

Production artist

Average annual base salary: £29,245 [5]

A production artist is a conceptual designer. In this role, you’d ensure a design works for the intended format, such as an Instagram post or billboard. This role does not typically involve design brainstorming and focuses more on executing ideas. 

Book designer

Average annual base salary: £33,061 [6]

A book designer works to create the entire appearance of a book. As a book designer, you’ll develop covers, fonts, layouts, and exterior designs. You might also select the paper type and other features to make the book visually appealing.

Salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, a graphic designer’s average annual base salary was £29,831, with a base pay range between £23,000 and £35,000 per year [7].

The UK Home Office includes graphic and multimedia designer positions on its list of in-demand skilled workers [8].

Do I need a degree to be a graphic designer?

Many employers seeking graphic designers seek a degree in graphic design or a related field paired with a strong portfolio. However, a degree isn’t mandatory. Some graphic designers at large companies only have a foundation diploma in art or design, but they’ve gained the technical skills they need to be successful.

Degrees for graphic designers

You may not have to get a degree from a university to pursue a career in graphic design, but it can give you an advantage when looking for a job. Take a look at some of the educational options available to you. 

Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design

A Higher National Diploma (HND) in graphic design can take two years, although programmes vary. You’ll learn essential theory, fundamental graphic design concepts, and software like Adobe Photoshop. You can use your class projects to build a portfolio of your creative work.

Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design

Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design typically takes three years. You’ll start your university career with design concepts and practical projects before moving on to develop your skills. The career-focused coursework in the bachelor’s degree programme will help you build your portfolio.

Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

Some universities offer a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. While entry requirements may vary, you’ll often need an honours degree in a related field to apply for a fine arts master’s programme, and you may have to submit a portfolio of your work as part of the application process. 

Certifications for graphic design

Certifications greatly enhance your resume and show you’re willing to learn about new topics. Certification programmes are available for graphic design in specialised fields, such as Adobe Certified Professional and Autodesk 3ds Max Certified.

Adobe Certified Professional

You can take exams for Adobe Certified Professional certifications in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver. A fee is due for each exam, and practice tests are available.

You can also match up different Adobe certifications to earn certification in video design, visual design, or web design.

Autodesk 3ds Max Certified

This certification demonstrates knowledge of Autodesk 3ds Max, a professional 3-D computer graphics programme in animation, games, and imaging. The course covers various software-related topics and helps you prepare for a final exam.

Is a career in graphic design worth it?

A graphic design career can be fulfilling if you’re passionate about making art, being creative, and working with technology and communication. You can explore more about what graphic design entails and the various course and certificate offerings on Coursera. 

The Graphic Design Specialisation from CalArts on Coursera can help you learn the fundamental graphic design skills you need to launch your career. The course materials are available online; you may complete the work independently. 

Although you won’t need prior graphic design experience for this programme, some knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite programmes is helpful. 

Explore a graphic design career on Coursera

Graphic design has a variety of positions that can help you find new and creative ways to communicate your ideas visually. If you’re interested in a career in graphic design, consider learning more with introductory courses such as Fundamentals of Graphic Design offered by CalArts or Graphic Design from the University of Colorado Boulder on Coursera. These courses are a great way to learn about design techniques and principles.