Graphic Designer

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
• Design layout of art or product exhibits, displays, or promotional materials.
• Design layouts for print publications.
• Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
• Research new technologies.
• Review art or design materials.
• Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
• Confer with clients to determine needs.
• Maintain records, documents, or other files.
• Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.

Typical Working Conditions

• Using e-mail.
• Sitting.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Working with a group or team.
• Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• High levels of competition.

Tools & Technology used by Graphic Designer

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Graphic Designers

• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Selecting/Creating the Right Product Design—Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Graphic Designers

• Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Communications and Media—Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• Fine Arts—Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Sales and Marketing—Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Artistic—Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Enterprising—Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
There will be a need for about 7,134 new Graphic Designers to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career requires at least at least a Associates degree, but some professionals have a Bachelors degree.

View the local post-secondary education options for this career from Central Lakes College.

Spotlight on Central Lakes College

• Why consider CLC?
• Virtual Campus Tours: Brainerd Campus, Staples Campus
• Learn more about the CLC Honors Program.
• Attend CLC, and you may never need to buy a textbook.

If you have a physical, mental, developmental, or cognitive condition that requires educational support, learn about support options at CLC.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Band, Chorus, or Music
• Composition
• Computer Graphics
• Drawing and Painting
• Interactive Media and Web Design
• Literature
• Mass Media Marketing
• Photography
• Public Speaking
• Radio and Television Production
• Technical Writing
• Theater

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise