How to become a graphic designer or illustrator
Official title: Graphic designers and illustrators
Also called: Illustrator, Game designer, Page designer, Sign designer, Cover designer, Flash designer, Forms designer, Graphic artist, Level designer, Layout designer, Graphic designer, Package designer
Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this unit group. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely self-employed.
Main tasks
- Graphic designers
- Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs
- Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication
- Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients' objectives
- Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software
- Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design
- Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients' communications needs
- Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers
How to become one
A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning or completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required. Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required. In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators. Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.
Ways in
- University: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 18 universities in Canada
- University: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 18 universities in Canada
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 42% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Design and applied arts; Graphic communications; Fine arts and art studies.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $60,938 a year The middle half earn $47,249 to $80,009.
- About 93,200 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 105,500 are projected by 2033. (+13.2%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of surplus.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a graphic designer or illustrator?
A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning or completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required. Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required. In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators. Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.
How much does a graphic designer or illustrator earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $60,938 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $47,249 to $80,009.
Is a graphic designer or illustrator a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2033, from about 93,200 to about 105,500 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a graphic designer or illustrator?
Not always. 42% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Creative Arts & Design degrees; Arts & Humanities degrees; College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03