How to Get a Job as a Graphic Designer in 2021
Does everyone always fight to have you on their Pictionary team? Maybe you’ve always been the artsy one in your friend group, or perhaps you grasp concepts better with pictures than with words. If you’ve got an eye for design and want to learn to monetize it, consider becoming a graphic designer! To succeed in the industry, graphic designers need to have high attention to detail and solid communication skills. Download JobFlare today and prove to employers that you’ve got what it takes to succeed!
Graphic designers hold the golden-ticket of employment: they can monetize their passion for creating art by leveraging their artistic abilities into a lucrative career. As a graphic designer, you bring the visions of your clients or coworkers to life using any number of mediums. This work can include logos, packaging, displays, illustrations, or webpages – if it’s visual, it’s up to you to create it!
Most major companies have at least one in-house graphic designer; some have whole teams of graphic designers working together. The strength of a company’s branding can make or break them. As a result, advertising, public relations, printing, and publishing companies all hire graphic designers. There are also studios or agencies that specialize in providing design resources to other companies that are always looking for fresh talent from recent grads. Graphic design also allows for a lot of independence. Many designers work as freelance contractors for smaller companies that outsource their graphic design needs. 25% of all graphic designers are self-employed. The flexibility to be your own boss or to opt for more stability at a large business is a big perk of the industry.
Graphic Designer
US Median Salary
$48,700/year or $23.41/hour
Education Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design or fine arts
You'd be great for this position if...
– You’re artistic
– You’re an out-of-the-box thinker
– You’re open to trying new things
– You can take criticism and grow from it
– You enjoy learning
– You’re a go-getter
You'd be great for this position if...
– You’re artistic
– You’re an out-of-the-box thinker
– You’re open to trying new things
– You can take criticism and grow from it
– You enjoy learning
– You’re a go-getter
Resume Tips for Graphic Designers
To have a successful career as a graphic designer, there are certain skills that hiring managers know to look for. Take inventory of these important qualities and emphasize them in your resume:
- Great time management
- Self-motivated
- High attention to detail
- Always looking to improve
- Comfortable working on a team
- Technical prowess
- Able to take direction
- Can quickly adapt to change
If you don’t have much on-the-job experience, include things like…
- Showcase your pet projects – if you’ve had your art in local art galleries, worked on any public murals, if you maintain a blog or website – anything that highlights your technical or artistic abilities
- A portfolio of your best work
- Join a design organization, like the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and volunteer at your local chapter’s events
- Any additional strengths, like being multilingual, design awards you may have won, or knowledge of design software like Adobe Photoshop, CAD software, or Final Draft
If you’re still feeling stuck on what skills to list in your resume, check the job description! Hiring managers list the key qualities they’re looking for, so you can score serious points for including them.
Interview Pointers for Graphic Designers
Prior to your interview, be sure to think of examples of personal experience applicable to the role:
- Describe your creative process. What are the main steps?
- Talk about an example of a time when you were able to produce excellent work while under a great deal of pressure.
- Discuss a time when you had to handle a difficult client who kept changing the project’s goals on you. How did you deal with this?
- Talk about the most challenging project you’ve worked on. What did you learn from it?
- Walk the interviewer through your portfolio. What are your favorite pieces? What was most challenging? What are you most proud of?
Be prepared to answer questions like:
- How do you handle criticism or harsh feedback? How do you incorporate it into your work?
- What should you do if a client asks you to design something but gives you no context?
- What makes a design successful? How do you determine the success of your designs?
Trouble finding Graphic Designer jobs to apply for? Try searching for these jobs as well!
UI Designer • Commercial Artist • Digital Illustrator • Visual Designer
Famous Former Graphic Designers
Alan Rickman
Actor
