Occupation · SOC 27-1024
Graphic Designers
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.
Median wage
$61,300
$37,600–$103,030
Projected growth
+2.1%
Slower than average
Annual openings
570
per year
Employed (US)
214,260
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
995 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingWritingCritical ThinkingActive LearningTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingService OrientationPersuasionNegotiationMonitoringSystems AnalysisOperations AnalysisLearning StrategiesInstructingSystems EvaluationTechnology DesignManagement of Personnel ResourcesProgrammingOperations MonitoringMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionTroubleshootingRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
DesignFine ArtsComputers and ElectronicsCommunications and MediaEnglish LanguageSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServiceProduction and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeEducation and TrainingPsychologyEngineering and TechnologySociology and AnthropologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesEconomics and AccountingMathematicsTelecommunicationsGeographyPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyLaw and GovernmentForeign LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalPhysicsBuilding and ConstructionTransportationTherapy and CounselingFood ProductionChemistryMedicine and DentistryBiology
Technology & tools
AJAXAdobe AcrobatAdobe ActionScriptAdobe After EffectsAdobe ColdFusionAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe DistillerAdobe DreamweaverAdobe FrameMakerAdobe FreeHand MXAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe Macromedia HomeSiteAdobe PageMakerAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Premiere ProApple Final Cut ProApple KeynoteApple iMovieApple iWork KeynoteApple macOSAutodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DAutodesk RevitAvid Pro ToolsBentley MicroStationCascading style sheets CSSComputer aided design and drafting CADD softwareComputer aided design and drafting software CADDCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDassault Systemes CATIADrupalDynamic hypertext markup language DHTMLExtensible hypertext markup language XHTMLExtensible markup language XMLFacebookFigmaFileMaker ProGoogle Ads
Representative tasks
Thinking CreativelyWorking with ComputersGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesProcessing InformationSelling or Influencing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersTraining and Teaching OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDeveloping and Building TeamsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDocumenting/Recording InformationCoaching and Developing OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicAnalyzing Data or InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesControlling Machines and ProcessesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming General Physical Activities
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) — produce assets to brief under a senior designer's review.Brand-style guides — apply consistently across asset production for routine projects.File-prep for print and digital deliverables — execute correctly per output specifications.Iteration and revision rounds — incorporate feedback efficiently within a project timeline.Stock-image sourcing and rights tracking — perform per brand and legal standards.Typography fundamentals (kerning, leading, hierarchy) — apply correctly on routine layout work.Project files and version control — maintain to team conventions for handoff and archival.Production-art prep (color, bleed, trim, packaging dielines) — produce reliably for routine print work.Time tracking and project hours — log accurately to brief, design, revisions, and production phases.Design-review presentations — present own work clearly in junior critique sessions.
developing
Concept development from creative brief — produce 3–5 directions for review on routine projects.Brand-system applications across multiple touchpoints — execute consistently in a defined system.Multi-channel asset packages (web, social, email, print) — deliver as a cohesive system.Client and stakeholder revisions — manage diplomatically and translate vague feedback into specific changes.Photo art-direction and retouching — direct or execute to a senior's vision on shoot days.Layout systems and grids — design and apply across publication-scale projects.Junior designers and interns — mentor on technical and conceptual fundamentals.Project timelines and dependencies — plan and meet on a personally owned project.Cross-functional review with copy, account, and production — collaborate substantively in meetings.New software and platform features — learn and incorporate from Creative Cloud releases.
proficient
Brand-identity systems from scratch — design and document for clients or in-house brands.Multi-month project ownership — manage end-to-end from brief through final-art delivery.Creative leadership in client meetings — present and defend concepts with stakeholders.Junior and mid-level designers — mentor across the team on craft and process.Award-quality work — produce on selected projects across the year.Cross-discipline collaboration (UX, copywriting, motion, illustration) — partner substantively.Production oversight across complex deliverables — own quality on large packaging or campaign rollouts.Vendor relationships (printers, photographers, illustrators) — manage on behalf of the team.Design-system documentation — author for organization-wide use.Internal critique culture — set the bar through senior-level participation and feedback.
advanced
Creative direction across a brand or agency portfolio — set and uphold across multi-quarter cycles.Hiring, leveling, and team development — own the design-talent pipeline at organization scale.Major brand launches and re-brands — lead end-to-end with executive stakeholders.Industry presence and thought leadership — speak, write, and represent the practice externally.Strategic creative planning multi-quarter — align with marketing, product, and business strategy.Design-budget and capacity planning — own with the head of marketing or agency lead.Design-system governance at scale — set standards across multi-team or multi-brand organizations.Senior designer mentorship and career development — sponsor across the design organization.Cross-functional executive partnerships (product, engineering, marketing) — represent the design point of view.Creative practice and culture — shape through rituals, standards, and aesthetic direction across the team.
Also known as
37 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Ad Designer (Advertising Designer)Ad Layout Worker (Advertising Layout Worker)Apparel Graphic DesignerArtistBrand DesignerCatalogue IllustratorCommercial ArtistConcept ArtistCreative DesignerDesign ConsultantDesignerDigital ArtistForms DesignerGraphic Art DesignerGraphic ArtistGraphic Design CoordinatorGraphic DesignerGraphics CoordinatorGraphics SpecialistInterface DesignerLabel MakerLayout ArtistMarketing Graphic DesignerMultimedia DesignerMultimedia DeveloperMultimedia SpecialistOnline ProducerPresentation DesignerPresentation SpecialistProduction ArtistProduction DesignerProduction Graphic DesignerPublications DesignerStudio DesignerTechnical IllustratorVisual DesignerVisual Graphic Designer