Do you want to make a career out of being creative?
Graphic design is everywhere. Whether you’re looking at the apps on your phone or the boxes your food comes in… Designers have worked on it.
But here’s the really cool part:
There are so many graphic design career options for you to choose from. You can do more than just pick between designing logos or pamphlets. There are brand new careers that have emerged over the past decade with the rise of digital design.
Oh yeah, and one more thing…
You can even find a career that perfectly matches your skillset and interests.
In this article you’ll learn:
- How the graphic design industry has expanded
- Your top graphic design career options
- Traditional design jobs vs digital design jobs
- How to choose which career path to take
How The Graphic Design Industry Has Expanded
When most people think about careers in graphic design, they think of past memories.
Print materials like magazines, posters, brochures, business cards, etc. Used to be where most designers focused their efforts. That is no longer the case.
Today’s graphic design career options include designing for digital platforms, interfaces, motion graphics, and more. The variety of opportunities you can find as a designer now include brand identity, websites, apps, motion graphics, and even virtual reality.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that graphic designers can expect to make a median annual wage of $61,300. That’s pretty good money if you enjoy what you do for a living.
More importantly…
Everything you learn as a graphic designer can translate to multiple career paths. You’re not stuck at a desk doing one thing for the rest of your career.
You have the opportunity to learn as you grow in this industry.
Your Top Graphic Design Career Options
Ready to learn about the different graphic design career options that are available to you? These industries are full of opportunities for growth, so they’re not just jobs… they are career paths.
Brand Identity Designer
Brand identity? You mean like designing logos?
Yep.
But it’s also so much more than that.
As a brand identity designer, you’ll help businesses establish their overall visual look. This includes logo design, color schemes, typography, and brand guidelines. Every single company needs a brand identity designer to help make their business stand out from the rest.
Why you should consider this career:
- Businesses will always need graphic designers to make their brand
- You can work as both an in-house designer or freelance
- Creating identity work is extremely rewarding
Companies can rise or fall based on their brand. That means the work you do will not go unnoticed.
UX/UI Designer
Don’t know what UX/UI design is? That’s ok! UX/UI designers create web and application interfaces that people enjoy using. They combine graphic design skills with problem-solving to create impactful digital experiences.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers and digital designers will grow 7% by 2034. That is much faster than average!
UX/UI design is truly where graphic design meets problem solving. If you have a passion for designing things that people will use every day, this might be the perfect career path for you.
There is a demand for UX/UI designers. And that demand will continue to grow as more companies work to improve their online presence.
Motion Graphics Designer
Who says designers can’t tell stories?
Motion graphics is an opportunity for graphic designers to show their creativity. Not only will you get to work with graphic design, but you’ll also get to learn skills related to video editing and animation.
Imagine combining your hobbies with your profession and getting paid to do it. That’s what motion graphics allows you to do.
Packaging Designer
Packaging design is similar to brand identity design, but with a slight twist.
When you think about graphic designers who work with packaging, you have to consider the physical structure of the packaging itself. Not only do designers need to make the packaging attractive, but they also need to ensure that the printed design will work with how the packaging will be produced.
Publication Designer
Magazines. Books. Newspapers. Blogs. Zines. Publications are everywhere.
And they all need designers.
Publication designers may work on print or digital media. But either way, they’re responsible for the layouts, typography, and visual flow of multi-page documents.
Art Director
An art director oversees the vision behind projects and design teams.
Art directors will commonly:
- Manage a team of designers
- Present concepts to clients
- Make decisions on creative direction
- Earn more than entry-level designers
Think of an art director as the leader of the design team. If you’re interested in working your way up to a leadership role, art direction is a great career path to choose.
Digital Design vs Traditional Design Jobs
When it comes to Career Paths in Graphic Design options, you’ll find that a lot of jobs fall into one of these two categories.
Digital design jobs include web, app, and social media design. Overtime you’ll become familiar with digital design tools. You may even pick up basic coding skills.
Traditional design jobs focus on print-based media. Print advertisements, packaging, publications, and signage all fall under this category. These jobs will have you learning about print production.
So which category should you choose?
Neither.
Again, the beautiful thing about graphic design is that you can do both. Being versatile is your greatest strength as a graphic designer. You never know what a client is going to ask for!
A designer could perfectly fit your skillset as well. They may focus on packaging for their day job but also create social media graphics on the side.
How To Choose Which Career Path To Take
There are so many great Career Paths in Graphic Design for you to choose from. How do you narrow it down?
First, think about what interests you.
Do you like problem-solving? UX/UI design may be up your alley. Are you passionate about typography and storytelling? Publication design might be for you. Feel drawn to the supermarket? Consider packaging design.
Next, think about how you like to work.
Art directors and UX designers will typically work in a team setting. However, something as a freelance brand designer allows you to work alone and independently.
Finally, look at your future self.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? Sure, entry-level positions are great at launching your career. But where will you be once you gain more experience?
You have the power to make your career as a designer what you want it to be. Don’t limit yourself to just one career path because there are opportunities everywhere.
Wrapping Things Up
Now that you know about the different Career Paths in Graphic Design that are waiting for you, it’s time to get started. Remember, these are careers that you can build to get wherever you want to be in the industry.
To help you remember, here’s a quick rundown:
- Graphic designers can work in both digital and traditional industries.
- Brand identity designers are always in demand
- UI/UX designers can easily solve problems for clients
- Motion graphics allows you to explore your creative side
- Explore niche industries by becoming a packaging or publication designer
- If you’re a people person and like leading others, consider becoming an art director
Start learning about each field and see what Career Paths in Graphic Design draws your interest. Build a portfolio that showcases what you enjoy designing. Take on projects that you’re interested in to gain experience and meet new people.
Your dream career is waiting for you!
