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Graphic Designers

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media (27-1024)

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.

At a Glance

Graphic Designers earns a median of $61,300/yr with +2.1% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Thinking Creatively, Working with Computers, Design.

Median Annual Wage

$61,300/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+2.1%

Annual Openings

20

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (5)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.8
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.4
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.3
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.3
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.3

Knowledge (8)

Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

4.7
Fine Arts

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

4.4
Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

4.4
Communications and Media

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

4.3
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.8
Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

3.7
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.6
Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

3.3

Abilities (11)

Originality

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

4.0
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.9
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.9
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.8
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.6
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.5
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.5
Visual Color Discrimination

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

3.3
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.3
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.3
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.3

Technology (35)

PHP

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Visio

Category: Process mapping and design software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Project

Category: Project management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
WordPress

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
jQuery

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
JavaScript

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Intuit QuickBooks

Category: Accounting software | Hot Technology

4.5
Hypertext markup language HTML

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Google Docs

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Illustrator

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Photoshop

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
AJAX

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Structured query language SQL

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D

Category: Computer aided design CAD software | Hot Technology

4.5
Autodesk AutoCAD

Category: Computer aided design CAD software | Hot Technology

4.5
Apple macOS

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Acrobat

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe After Effects

Category: Video creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Creative Cloud software

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe InDesign

Category: Desktop publishing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Figma

Category: Graphical user interface development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Extensible markup language XML

Category: Enterprise application integration software | Hot Technology

4.5
Cascading style sheets CSS

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Bentley MicroStation

Category: Computer aided design CAD software | Hot Technology

4.5
Autodesk Revit

Category: Computer aided design CAD software | Hot Technology

4.5
Trimble SketchUp Pro

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Premiere Pro

Category: Video creation and editing software

4.0

Work Activities (17)

Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

4.9
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.8
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.6
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.2
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.2
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.2
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.2
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.0
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.0
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

3.7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.7
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.6
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.5
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.5
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.5
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

3.3
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

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