Graphic Designers

What the job really is

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-1024
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Write or edit copy for clients.
• Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
• Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
• Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
• Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
• Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
• Use computer software to generate new images.
• Prepare digital files for printing.
• Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
• Research the target audience of projects.
• Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
• Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.

Tools and technology

AJAX, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple macOS, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Revit

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Special Effects Artists and Animators
• Art Directors
• Web and Digital Interface Designers
• Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
• Desktop Publishers
• Video Game Designers
• Set and Exhibit Designers
• Commercial and Industrial Designers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Graphic Designers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.