How To Become a Graphic Designer
What Is a Graphic Designer?
A graphic designer is a creative professional who creates visual imagery to communicate ideas and messages, such as in advertising and marketing. Their mission is to inspire, engage and educate the audience through visually compelling artwork, logos and other images.
Graphic design requires a blend of art and technology. Graphic designers may do their work by hand or use sophisticated visual design software. They collaborate closely with other professionals, such as writers and editors, to create the ideal look and layout for each project.
Projected global graphic design market size in 2031(See disclaimer 1)
What Does a Graphic Designer Do?
A graphic designer’s responsibilities often follow an established project lifecycle, from planning to design to revisions. A graphic designer may juggle multiple projects for various clients. They must strive to satisfy their clients while communicating a specific message through visual imagery.
Some main job tasks include:
Planning
Graphic designers will plan the scope and requirements for a project.
Designing
They will design logos, illustrations and other visual imagery.
Selecting
These designers choose appropriate colors, typefaces and layouts.
Presenting
Graphic designers will present designs and concepts to clients or art directors.
Revising
They will often revise designs according to requests.
Reviewing
Doing a final review of all work before publication is critical in graphic design.
What Graphic Designer Education Requirements and Experience Are Needed?
When learning how to become a graphic designer, it’s important to keep in mind that there are no universal requirements. Employers’ requirements and preferences for graphic design hires will vary. However, it’s common for graphic designers to need a related bachelor’s degree that includes technical training in design. Graphic designers are expected to have a portfolio showcasing their creativity and technical abilities.(See disclaimer 2)
High School Diploma
College Degree
Internships
Professional Certifications
Best Degrees for Graphic Design
An aspiring graphic designer needs a blend of creative and technical skills. The ideal degree program will teach both through didactic coursework and hands-on, immersive practice opportunities. Professionals can enter this field from a variety of academic backgrounds, but a strong focus on digital and graphic design is ideal.(See disclaimer 2 )
A degree program for future graphic designers will typically teach:
Principles and elements of design
Pixel, vector and layout tools
Color theory, typography and composition
Raster- and vector-based graphics
Rapid visualization and mixed media
Web design
GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for Graphic Design
1 Matching Degrees
What Graphic Design Skills Do Designers Need?
Graphic design is a highly creative field, but also a technically challenging one. Graphic designers can benefit from having a strong command of the technical elements of digital design, such as proficiency with graphic design software, while retaining their artistic eye.(See disclaimer 2)
Some of the most important skills in graphic design include:
Creativity
Artistic ability
Effective communication
Time management
Graphic design software proficiency
Analytical reasoning
Where Do Graphic Designers Work?
Graphic designers typically work in offices or studios. They may be employees or freelancers. While they generally perform their work independently, they also function as part of a team. Graphic designers can usually expect to work standard office hours, although self-employed professionals may accommodate their clients by meeting outside of regular business hours.(See disclaimer 4)
Some of the most common work settings include:(See disclaimer 4)
Advertising and marketing agencies
Many graphic designers create visual imagery for marketing campaigns.
Design firms
Some graphic designers work for dedicated graphic design firms.
Self-employed
It’s common for graphic designers to launch their own digital design business.
Printing companies
Some graphic designers find work in support organizations like printing companies.
Median annual salary for graphic designers as of May 2024(See disclaimer 5)
Projected number of job openings for graphic designers each year from 2024 through 2034(See disclaimer 6)
Advancement Opportunities Within Graphic Design
After gaining some experience and obtaining any other needed credentials, a graphic designer may choose to seek advancement opportunities. This may come in the form of advancing to a supervisory position. Some potential roles like these may include art director and chief designer.(See disclaimer 2)
Explore More on Graphic Design
If you have a creative passion and aspire to work in graphic design, you can learn more about this field with the following blog articles.
Discover the fundamentals of graphic design, including its purpose, elements and principles.
Dive into crucial information as you consider whether graphic design is a good fit for you.
Explore the roles of creative director vs. art director, including the career pathway.
Embrace your artistic eye and creativity while developing a student portfolio at GCU. Apply online today to study graphic design and digital design!
- Mordor Intelligence. (2026, Jan. 14). Graphic Design Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 – 2031). Retrieved March 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). How To Become a Graphic Designer. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 2026.
- Illinois Career Information System. (n.d.). Graphic Designers - Helpful High School Courses. Illinois Department of Employment Security. Retrieved March 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Graphic Designers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Graphic Designers, as of May 2024, retrieved March 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as graphic designers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Graphic Designers, retrieved March 2026.