How to become a Graphic Designer

Official title: Graphic Designers

Also called: Artist, Brand Designer, Designer, Graphic Artist, Graphic Design Coordinator, Graphic Designer, Online Producer, Production Artist, Publications Designer, Technical Illustrator

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.

Main tasks

• 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.

How to become one

Graphic designers usually need a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field. Candidates for graphic design positions should have a portfolio that demonstrates their creativity and originality.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Graphic Designer.
• College: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 32 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $62,960 a year The middle half earn $49,040 to $81,830.
• About 253,100 people work in this job now, and about 248,800 are projected by 2035. (-1.7%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Related jobs

• Commercial and Industrial Designers
• Fashion Designers
• Floral Designers
• Interior Designers
• Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
• Set and Exhibit Designers

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Graphic Designer?

Graphic designers usually need a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field. Candidates for graphic design positions should have a portfolio that demonstrates their creativity and originality.

How much does a Graphic Designer earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $62,960 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $49,040 to $81,830.

Is a Graphic Designer a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 253,100 people now and 248,800 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Graphic Designer?

Usually. 70% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Graphic Designer?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.