How to become a Graphic Designer
Graphic designers produce visual communications, including art and layouts of text for reproduction in print and electronic media such as magazines, newspapers, books and websites, as well as image designs for corporate identity programmes, exhibitions and advertising. Graphic designers may specialise in a number of fields, including brand and identity strategy; digital and web-based design; television, film and computer graphics; set and exhibition design; corporate design; book and magazine design; and advertising and illustration. They may progress to positions such as design directors, art directors or creative directors.
Personal requirements for a Graphic Designer
- Creative and imaginative
- Understanding of colour and form
- Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Good communication skills
- Good marketing abilities
- Able to work as part of a team
Education & Training for a Graphic Designer
To become a graphic designer you usually have to complete a VET qualification. Applicants may be required to attend an interview and/or submit a folio of work. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have a degree in graphic design or a related area such as digital media or visual communication design. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and a visual arts or design subject are normally required. Applicants may also be required to attend an interview and/or submit a folio of work. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Additional information
Graphic designers are required to have computer and technical skills.
Duties & Tasks of a Graphic Designer
Graphic designers:
- Talk to clients to get a clear understanding of their visual communication requirements and develop design 'roughs' (sketches)
- Prepare comprehensive layouts of the design using techniques such as photography, illustration and computer-generated imagery
- Identify communication problems and develop visual solutions
- Present and propose designs to clients for approval
- Prepare designs for print or digital publication and signage
- Design and set up exhibitions for advertising or educational purposes
- Supervise all design production stages, including arranging and supervising printing.
Tasks
- Negotiates design solutions with clients, management, sales and production staff.
- May archive information for future client use.
- Details and documents the selected design for production.
- Formulates design concepts for the subject to be communicated.
- Undertakes research and analyses functional communication requirements.
- Selects, specifies or recommends functional and aesthetic materials and media for publication, delivery or display.
- Prepares sketches, diagrams, illustrations and layouts to communicate design concepts.
- Supervises or carries out production in the chosen media.
- Determines the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders.
Working conditions for a Graphic Designer
Graphic designers may work as members of a design team in design studios or advertising agencies, or alone undertaking consultancy or freelance work.
Employment Opportunities for a Graphic Designer
Graphic designers work for advertising agencies, graphic design houses, commercial art studios, computer game developers, retail stores, printing firms, book and newspaper publishers, and marketing and public relations firms. They often work as part of a team, but may also work on a freelance basis.Quality, individuality, skill and a high standard of work are needed to find employment. Competition for jobs is very high and many employers consider the quality of artwork in a graduate's portfolio to be the most important selection criterion.Smaller design studios often prefer graduates who can do their own artwork as well as formulate design concepts. There may also be opportunities to move into related industries such as film and television.
Specializations
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers produce visual communications, including art and layouts of text for reproduction in print and electronic media such as magazines, newspapers, books and websites, as well as image designs for corporate identity programmes, exhibitions and advertising. Graphic designers may specialise in a number of fields, including brand and identity strategy; digital and web-based design; television, film and computer graphics; set and exhibition design; corporate design; book and magazine design; and advertising and illustration. They may progress to positions such as design directors, art directors or creative directors.
Average age
37
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
59% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
63%
Employment Size
27,500
Employment by state
ACT: 1.7%
NSW: 37.5%
NT: 0.3%
QLD: 15.7%
SA: 5.4%
TAS: 1.3%
VIC: 31.2%
WA: 6.9%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.7%
20-24: 9.6%
25-34: 37.6%
35-44: 30.2%
45-54: 15.4%
55-59: 3.5%
60-64: 1.8%
65 and Over: 1.2%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 26.9%
Bachelor degree: 45.7%
Certificate III/IV: 9.2%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 6%
Year 10 and below: 1.8%
Year 11: 1.1%
Year 12: 9.3%
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