Is Graphic Design a Good Career in 2024? [Find Out]

Graphic design is a popular profession. But is graphic design a good career? What are the types of graphic design? Do you need a degree to become a graphic designer? This article addresses these questions and presents essential information if you’re thinking of becoming a graphic designer or just want to learn more about this profession.

Is Graphic Design a Good Career?

Graphic design is a dream job for those wanting to put their creativity to work while obtaining the necessary software skills. It’s also an essential marketing tool in many workplaces. This career has been around for thousands of years, evolving with society’s needs.

There are quite a few types of graphic design popular today. Consider the following six graphic design career options.

Product Design

Product designers typically have a degree in Industrial Design (ID) or engineering. The graphic designer designs the look and feel of such products as a phone or computer. They work with teams of engineers and other designers to develop ideas on how the product should look and function and then create prototypes and mock-ups. Product designers put their creativity into research and find solutions to generate a product that will get people’s attention and appeal to targeted clientele.

Branding Design

One of the many graphic design career options includes a branding designer responsible for creating a company’s visual identity, including its brochures & logos. These designers must be up-to-date with the latest marketing trends so that the product can reach its preferred targets. They work with a company to produce a strategy for their brand to be seen by the public and then create designs that reflect this plan. Brand designers often have a background in Graphic Design, Marketing, Or Advertising.

Print Design

If you choose graphic design as a career, print design could be a solid option. In the digital era, it’s easy to replace print media with website optimization or other online media outlets. But print is still very much alive. Print designers are responsible for designing such printed materials as brochures, magazines, books, or creating a poster. Any paper we handle for business or otherwise is the product of a print designer’s artwork. Print designers need to be skilled in graphic design and typography and possess the ability to think visually and produce high-quality designs.

Web Design

Web designers are in charge of designing user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing websites and function the same when opened on a computer and phone. If you’re thinking about becoming a graphic designer without a degree, consider this as an option. This designer typically has a degree in Graphic Design, but many self-taught web designers exist. Web designers must be skilled in graphic design and coding and create designs that are attractive and functional.

Multimedia Design

Multimedia designers combine images, text, animation, sound, and video to create multimedia presentations. They typically have a degree in Graphic Design or Multimedia Arts since they must have a solid knowledge of video editing. Multimedia designers are skilled in media and work with various software programs.

Animation Design

Becoming a graphic designer who creates animated graphics and videos usually works in a design firm environment. They typically have a degree in Animation, Graphic Design, or Multimedia Arts; therefore, they need to be skilled with all kinds of animation software, think visually, and come up with original ideas. Animation graphic designers can create anything from cartoons to animated social media graphics.

What Is the Average Salary?

The money you can make with graphic design depends on the graphic design jobs you choose. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2020, the average yearly salary of a graphic designer was $53,380. And BLS reports that the job outlook for 2020–2030 should grow at a 3% rate.

The average graphic design career salary also depends on the designer’s skills, experience, and the type of design they specialize in. If you’re an inexperienced graphic designer, expect a salary between $40,000 and $49,000. But design professionals are likely to make $51,000 to $71,000 annually.

 Do You Need a Degree to Become a Graphic Designer?

If you’re thinking of pursuing a career in graphic design, you might wonder if you need a degree to work as a graphic designer. Some employers require a diploma or certification as a condition for employment. Most employers are interested in how skilled the designer applying for the job is and scrutinize their skills via their portfolio. But the most crucial aspect employers look for when hiring graphic designers is experience, i.e., what you can bring to the table.

Certification shows that you have the skills and knowledge to be a successful graphic designer. When starting in graphic design, you could get the necessary skills and training by taking a course. Some programs that offer certification in graphic design include the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) certification, the Apple Certified Training Program, and the Google Analytics Individual Qualification certification. These programs provide training in various software programs used by graphic designers, such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver.

How to Become a Professional Graphic Designer

Would you like to know how to start a career in graphic design? Consider the following six steps to position yourself among graphic design pros.

Learn the Principles

Learn the basic principles of a graphic designer. You must have a solid design background in balance, alignment, hierarchy, contrast, rhythm, proximity, color, and space. These principles define product design.

Choose a Course

If you’ve chosen graphic design as a career, start by taking Graphic Design classes and hone your skills. There are many ways to learn the necessary design skills, but the best way is often through hands-on experience. Many institutions have found that online learning has become an essential part of their curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic, as physical contact is avoided. Many free graphic design courses are available, including UX/UI design courses that offer certification in graphic design.

Learn Graphic Design Tools

Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, and Visme are some of the many design software you need to master if you want to pursue a career in graphic design. The best way to become a graphic designer is to learn the design principles.

Design Projects

After learning about graphic design tools, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. To be a successful graphic designer, you need to be creative and have ideas. One way to develop your creativity is by designing your own projects, including websites, logos, or producing a marketing campaign.

Build a Portfolio

One of the many steps to becoming a graphic designer includes building your portfolio. An excellent way to show potential employers your skills as a graphic designer is to have a robust portfolio, including a collection of your best work—both finished designs and sketches. You can build your portfolio by volunteering at a graphic design company. Always focus on quantity rather than quality. Even if your portfolio is a small collection of your most outstanding works, it’s still a work of art. And update your portfolio regularly to reflect your current skills and abilities.

Sell Yourself

When starting a career in graphic design, it’s vital to sell yourself by being active on social media, attending design events, and networking with other designers. You should also have a strong resume and be prepared to answer questions about your work.

Key Takeaways

Conclusion

Graphic design is a great career choice for anyone who is creative and has strong skills in designing software programs. Becoming a graphic designer without a degree is common, but obtaining at least a course certificate in graphic design is more beneficial. Many programs offer such certifications and ways to learn the necessary skills, but the best way is often through hands-on experience. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, now is the time to do it.