What does a graphic designer do?

Graphic design is a style of visual art generated by computers. It can use form, typography, and even texture to communicate a message. In some cases, the message may evoke a feeling or emotion, as with an abstract design or a logo. In other cases, the message may be more literal, as in marketing materials or on a website.

Graphic design can often encompass UX (user experience) design, meaning that graphic designers must consider both human experience and functionality. For example, when designing a website, it's essential to understand how users will navigate it and make that experience as easy as possible. In other cases, when creating a graphic such as a logo or an abstract piece, the focus will be less on functionality and more on emotion.

A brief history of graphic design

The modern approach to graphic design explicitly states that graphic design is computer-generated using programs like Photoshop or Illustrator; however, graphic design has a much longer history than that.

Graphic design dates back to 38,000 BC. How is that possible if computers didn't exist back then?

Well, it's important to point out that, at its core, graphic design is nothing more than human communication, or how human beings communicate with each other using images. During the earliest times of human history, the primary form of communication was cave paintings. These paintings are an example of the use of graphics to send messages and tell stories, making them a magnificent example of graphic design in action before the advent of computers.

In summary: Graphic design boils down to human communication through visual elements, but for our purposes, we will focus mainly on digital graphic design, as it is the most common in our modern era.

Becoming a graphic designer requires time, money, and dedication to learning a new skill. That said, let's answer some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a professional graphic designer and building a portfolio website.

We'll delve into what a graphic designer actually does, how to build an online portfolio, what skills are needed to be a logo designer, and how to price your first logo design project. By the end, you'll have all the answers you need to make an informed decision about whether you want a career in logo design or graphic design .

More and more workers are choosing digital careers, so it's no surprise that graphic design has become a very popular sector.

If you're interested in starting a career in graphic design, but don't know exactly where to begin, this guide will give you all the tips, tricks, and information you need to ensure you're as familiar as possible with this field.

Read on to learn everything about graphic design.

What does a graphic designer do?

Before embarking on the journey to become a graphic designer, it's important to know exactly what you're getting into. The responsibilities of a graphic designer can vary greatly depending on factors such as whether you work as a freelancer or as a contractor for graphic design firms.

However, the common factor is that graphic designers create visual concepts and communicate ideas through their work. This can mean working on design projects such as logos, websites, brochures, and other marketing materials, among many other potential job opportunities. A graphic designer combines text and images using a broad knowledge of design trends and the ability to tell a story through visual elements.

In general, graphic designers receive a brief which they translate into a visual element using digital illustration and design software such as Adobe Creative Suite. However, the design process is actually much more complex than it may initially seem. A graphic designer must be familiar with corporate identity design, photo editing software, and desktop publishing software, as well as being able to strategically communicate ideas and emotions, all while marketing their business through their online graphic design portfolio website .

In addition to all the technical knowledge needed to create brand elements using a combination of art and technology, graphic designers are often responsible for other tasks, such as:

• meet and communicate with your clients

• Understand how to create original designs that appeal to the client's target audience

• to present thoroughly researched concepts for approval and critique

• incorporate changes in clients or artistic directors

• to ensure the absence of errors in the designs before sending them to print

Generally, a graphic designer will have a few main areas of specialization or a specific type of client or job they accept. This means developing your identity as a designer and determining what kinds of projects you're most interested in working on. Once you've decided that, it's about showcasing relevant work in your online portfolio so potential clients can clearly understand what you specialize in.

Graphic design is something every business needs when it comes to marketing, and that means there are a lot of different industries that hire graphic designers. Here are some examples of the different types of projects you might end up working on as a professional graphic designer.

• product packaging design

• book cover design

• corporate brand identity

• communication designers

• production design

• user experience

• web design

• art and illustration

One of the best things about working as a graphic designer is that you have many opportunities to work on a wide variety of projects. In fact, the more specific you are about the type of projects you can accept, the easier it will be for you to stand out and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

What are the different types of graphic design?

As we've already mentioned in this article, there's no single approach to graphic design. There are many different types of graphic design you can specialize in, and for the most part, each type will require different skills or, at the very least, a different approach.

Read about the different types of graphic design and think about which one would best suit your talent:

Brand identity Graphic design

If you love everything related to branding, this might be the perfect type of graphic design for you. This type of graphic design, which involves creating a visual brand identity for a company, can include everything from the color schemes used on the brand's website to the logo or the typography used on packaging.

In fact, in most cases, the brand identity will be consistent across all platforms, so with this type of graphic design, you're not only helping to design a website, packaging and/or marketing materials, but you're also devising all the visual elements that will be used across all platforms.

This type of graphic design also requires you to think about the emotion, the audience, the feelings, the messages, and the personality you want to help give the brand.

Marketing and advertising Graphic design

If you have a background in graphic design and you like marketing, this is a great option for you.

With this graphic design style, you'll work on graphics for social media ads, print ads like in a magazine, landing pages, and even infographics if teaching customers about the product can help sell it.

Probably one of the most traditional types of graphic design, this type of graphic design isn't going anywhere anytime soon, especially with the rise of digital marketing and content marketing.

User interface graphic design

We've touched on this briefly before, but essentially, user interface design focuses on creating a user-friendly and easy-to-interact environment. For example, designing an app that a customer can easily navigate, or an e-commerce store that makes purchasing a breeze. Specifically, you'll need to consider the buttons, layout, menus, and overall visual appeal.

Essentially, his work with this type of graphic design consists of balancing aesthetics with functionality.

Graphic design of publications

Think of book covers, newsletters, catalogs, and magazines. This style of graphic design is usually done in print, but with more and more print publications making the leap to digital media, there's more demand than ever for publication graphic designers who can make this transition.

Packaging graphic design

Virtually every product that comes onto the market has some kind of packaging design associated with it. Whether it's the box the product comes in, the label placed directly on the product, or the accompanying delivery note, packaging design is very much present in modern society.

In this type of graphic design, you not only have to think about the appearance of the packaging, but also about how it will make the customer feel and what message it will convey.

Motion graphic design

If you create graphic designs that move, you're a motion graphics designer. Most of them specialize in animation or special effects for television or film.

Animated graphics design can be quite complex and often requires basic graphic design knowledge, in addition to additional knowledge of animated graphics.

Motion graphic design can also include things like GIFs, animated banners, video tutorials, presentations, animated logos, and trailers.

Art/Illustration Graphic Design

This type of graphic design involves creating original works of art. As mentioned earlier, there is functional graphic design and more emotional graphic design. In most cases, graphic design will consider both emotion and functionality. However, in artistic graphic design, functionality is not a primary concern; instead, the focus is on feeling, emotion, and aesthetics.

In most cases, this art is created for the love of art itself, but often the work is sold for commercial use. Some examples include T-shirt designs, fabric patterns, stock images, graphic novels or comics, and album covers.

If this is a type of graphic design that interests you, you'll have to work on your own and it may take longer to establish your work, but in the long run, this type of graphic design can be very lucrative if you end up making a name for yourself.

Environment

This type of graphic design aims to enhance the environment through graphics. Examples include signage for an event space or murals in a restaurant. It can also encompass elements such as an office's branding, a store's interior, or a stadium's logo.

A perfect combination of branding, function, and visual graphics, environmental graphic design may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of graphic design, but it's a type that will always be needed to improve people's environment.

How to get started in graphic design?

Each person's path to success as a graphic designer will be slightly different depending on the type of graphic design they choose (types listed above). That said, most graphic designers share the same general aptitudes in terms of visual skills and experience with technology.

If you want to succeed as a graphic designer, we recommend that you follow these steps.

Step 1: Wet your feet

If you want to become a graphic designer, it's worth starting to experiment with some basic graphic design principles. In some cases, you might need specific software, such as Photoshop, to fully experience what a graphic designer does. Often, you can try these programs out or pay a monthly subscription fee.

Although we often recommend not spending a lot of money at the beginning of any creative activity, this is a case where money is necessary because it will help you make a decision about graphic design before spending more money on something like studies.

Have some fun. Try making websites, see what you can achieve with simple infographics, or even offer to design something for friends and family. The more experience you have in this initial phase, the more likely you are to pursue this career with confidence.

Step 2: Enroll in a course/program

Whether it's a single course or a full program, training can be a great way to strengthen your skills. While training isn't necessary to succeed as a graphic designer, you'll likely learn some tips, tricks, and best practices that you might otherwise miss.

That said, with a skill like graphic design, practice will always be your best friend, so even outside of school, make sure you work on your own projects and keep honing your skills.

A course or program can also be especially useful for those who want to learn more about UI/UX design (i.e., user interface and user experience). Furthermore, these skills will be particularly important for those who want to get into website design, product packaging, and/or app design.

Also, when choosing a school or course, look for a program that emphasizes hands-on experience. You can't learn graphic design just by listening or reading about it. You have to practice it. Don't forget that.

Step 3: Start building your portfolio

As we've already mentioned, you should always work on your own projects. Whether it's logo mockups, advertisements, book covers, or infographics, all of these pieces can work excellently for your portfolio.

If you're worried about creating a portfolio before you have any professional clients, don't be. Just like with any other creative endeavor, you should start building your portfolio as soon as possible.

While paid professional client work will look great in a portfolio, everyone has to start somewhere, and by practicing and creating your own mock projects, you'll have more than enough to add to your portfolio during these initial phases.

Step 4: Choose your career path

As a graphic designer, you have many options to structure your professional career.

For some, working as a freelancer and taking on individual projects throughout the year works well. For others, working as part of a team and helping to build a brand sounds more exciting.

In any case, you will become known and be judged by the quality of your work.

You can also choose a combination of these options. You can start by working as a freelancer, gaining paid experience for your portfolio, and as your experience grows, you can begin applying for jobs at companies that offer full-time graphic design positions.

If you decide to work as a freelancer, whether in the short or long term, you should keep a few things in mind.

Tips for freelance graphic designers

• Always deliver for your clients. This will help you secure recurring work, and could even help you get more work through word of mouth.

• Brand yourself. As a graphic designer, demonstrating your branding skills can be incredibly helpful in landing jobs. You can build your brand through your website and social media presence on social platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

• Make your website as easy to navigate as possible . If a client is interested in working with you, you need to make it easy for them to view your work and contact you. The Graphic Designers group on Instagram can help you achieve this.

• Network! As a freelancer, work can always come and go. You need to make sure you have a strong network of contacts to help you maintain a stable client base. Friends, family, current clients, past clients, colleagues, and dream clients.

• Be open to all kinds of work at the beginning . At the start of your career, don't be too picky about the type of work you accept. Right now, you should focus on expanding your portfolio, networking, and getting positive reviews and references. Take on what you can, and as your experience grows, you'll be able to build your client base.

What does graphic design mean?

Graphic design can encompass a wide variety of design styles, such as web design, logo design, book design, product design, and even art for art's sake, which we'll discuss later. For now, however, it's important to understand that despite all these different types of graphic design, there are still some common traits shared by graphic designers.

If you want to become a graphic designer, it means you'll need some general skills and abilities. Here are a few:

Graphic designers must have a visual mindset.

Graphic designers spend most of their day thinking about how to bring together different visual elements to create a cohesive design. It's no wonder, then, that graphic designers have a visual mindset.

Some of the visual elements that graphic designers must take into account are color, pattern, shape, symmetry, fluidity, repetition, balance, typography, and proportions.

Graphic designers must take the user/viewer into account.

Depending on what you're designing, sometimes your graphics will be created purely for visual enjoyment, and other times they'll need to be functional. In either case, graphic designers should always keep in mind the person on the other end of the work.

Unless you're creating graphics simply for your own visual pleasure, there's always another human being on the other side, and being in contact with them can go a long way toward making your work more accessible and successful.

Graphic designers need some computer skills

Since we're talking about graphic design strictly in its digital format, you'll probably want to feel confident using a computer. Whether it's troubleshooting technical issues or simply staying up-to-date with technology, a lack of computer experience could hinder your progress as an aspiring graphic designer.

Is graphic design difficult?

Before you start dedicating a lot of time and energy to pursuing graphic design, it's a good idea to better understand what the process of becoming a graphic designer is actually like. As with any professional career, successful graphic designers know it's not always easy. For example, if you're an artist who usually creates art for yourself, working with clients can be challenging at times. You might find it difficult to adapt to someone else's style and requirements to create something that may not align with your own personal artistic aesthetic. If you're someone who doesn't accept constructive criticism, graphic design probably isn't the right profession for you.

Another challenge of becoming a graphic designer is that you'll need to learn a lot about graphic design software and keep up with industry trends and new programs to remain competitive. This is where you might want to consider attending a graphic design program or participating in continuing education, even after you've established yourself as a graphic designer, so you always stay on top of industry advancements.

Since, as a graphic designer, you'll likely be dealing directly with clients, you also need to be aware that some clients can be more difficult to satisfy. You might encounter a client who doesn't trust your authority to make design decisions and will insist that you follow their lead, even if it doesn't align with what you believe is best for the company. At this point, you'll have to decide whether it's better to try to explain why your choices will be better for them, or whether you'll simply accept their feedback despite believing it won't ultimately benefit them.

Graphic design is about bringing a client's vision to life, which means you need to be on the same page as them to understand exactly what they want. If you're not entirely sure what they want, ask them. It's much better to ask for more information upfront than to pretend you know what they mean and end up creating more work for yourself.

What skills do I need to be a graphic designer?

Now that you know some of the more challenging aspects of becoming a graphic designer, what skills do you need? Let's take a look at some of the hard and soft skills that are essential for any aspiring graphic designer.

Many graphic design jobs require applicants to have a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field. However, you don't have to go into debt to learn graphic design in school. For example, you can look for certification programs or even free online courses, especially if you just want to get started before committing to a more specialized degree program. While you're studying, you can do an internship to gain experience at an established design firm, which often hires graphic design students for work-study programs.

A potential employer might appreciate having a bachelor's degree, but keep in mind that it all comes down to your ability to present yourself, and that means having a strong online portfolio. You need to showcase not only your technical skills but also your ability to work with a client and deliver a high-quality product that fully satisfies them.

These are some of the skills you will need to succeed as a graphic designer.

• artistic skill, drawing ability, and creativity

• communication with customers

• computer skills

• time management

• A deep understanding of the theory and fundamentals of graphic design and the psychology of colors

• research skills

• the ability to adjust their artistic style to create what their client desires

• incorporate customer feedback

• to communicate a concept through visual design

Now that you know what skills are needed to become a graphic designer, it's time to analyze how viable a career in graphic design can be.

Is graphic design dying?

The last thing you want is to invest time, money, and energy in a career that might not pay off in the long run. You're probably wondering if graphic design is a good career for you or if the industry is struggling.

Some people may think that design is dying as a career due to the amount of competition in the market. There are always people willing to do a design project for a lower fee, and even websites that automatically create generic company logos for the price of a coffee.

However, the reality is that graphics are an integral part of most businesses and are used in marketing and public relations across all sectors. Graphic designers help companies communicate their messages to potential buyers and convert them into paying customers.

Unfortunately, many companies end up choosing the cheapest option they can find, perhaps because they don't understand the value a well-designed logo can bring to their business. Graphic design is much more than just an artistic skill, and companies ultimately lose out when they think they can achieve the same professional results at a much lower cost.

With this in mind, make sure you always charge what you're worth and trust in the value you offer your clients, and you'll see that graphic design remains a thriving business.

Is there a demand for graphic design?

The short answer: yes!

In the last decade, the massive growth of digital platforms and content marketing strategies has made graphic design one of the most effective means of conveying ideas. Visual interpretations tend to capture viewers' attention much better than other types of content, making graphic designers highly sought after in any marketing or advertising career.

In the United States, the graphic design industry currently has a market size of $12 billion. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , there are currently 281,500 graphic designers employed in the United States alone, many of them in advertising, specialized design services, publishing, and public relations. Graphic designers who choose jobs in digital fields (such as computer systems design and digital media) are also likely to see a 20% growth rate in these areas of specialization.

When it comes to marketing products, graphic designers make a crucial contribution to the success of companies' branding campaigns. This means they will always be a significant investment for businesses, as well as an essential element for boosting the economy. Instead of using DIY design programs or free online tools, established brands will almost always prefer to hire professional graphic designers to help them with their branding campaigns. Working with a graphic designer is a far superior way for companies to produce original design work, achieve their true brand vision, and establish a consistent brand identity. Experienced graphic designers will also be able to ensure that all materials are interactive and viewable across all devices and platforms.

Of course, given that graphic design is such a popular career choice, aspiring graphic designers face stiff competition. Therefore, those who stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and specialized techniques, and are willing to continuously update their skills, will be more likely to succeed in this field.

How many hours do graphic designers usually work?

Due to the creative nature of graphic design, a designer's daily schedule and the number of hours worked may vary.

To give you a better idea of how many hours a graphic designer typically works, let's take a look at the three different environments where you're most likely to find them:

1. Internal Environment

Graphic designers who work for a company are employees of an established organization. This type of role may involve working on a company's internal marketing initiatives, producing work for clients, or both.

In-house roles typically follow a traditional 9-to-5 schedule, meaning graphic designers are likely to work at least 40 hours per week. In-house positions may also require designers to work overtime, depending on the company's needs. Your work schedule at an established brand is also more likely to include meetings, company events, and additional tasks that may fall outside your creative contributions.

2. Agency Environment

Like in-house graphic designers, those working at an agency are more likely to follow a similar 9-to-5, 40-hour workweek. However, the workflow is more likely to be divided differently at an agency. Agency projects involve working with external clients to produce creative work, which means they are typically short-term.

Agency work is usually very fast-paced, with projects often requiring long hours and tight deadlines. Therefore, you'll likely have to work overtime or late into the night to complete a project.

On the other hand, working at an agency also means spending more time working with other designers and creative directors, so it's almost guaranteed that you'll dedicate most of your time to design work, rather than other tasks.

3. Autonomous environment

Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 21% of U.S. graphic designers are freelancers (or self-employed). Rather than working under the direction of another company, freelance designers contract their services to clients and are responsible for managing all aspects of their operations, including who they choose to work with and the total number of hours they work per week.

While managing your own schedule can offer more creative freedom, most freelance designers aim to work a similar number of weekly hours to in-house or agency professionals. Furthermore, since there are no set rules regarding the number of hours a freelance designer can work, it's not uncommon to see them working more than 40 hours a week to meet deadlines or financial targets.