What Jobs Can I Get with a Graphic Design Qualification?

Graphic design is a creative field that offers a variety of career opportunities. From designing logos and websites to creating engaging social media content, graphic designers play a vital role in shaping how ideas and messages are visually communicated. If you’ve ever wondered ‘what jobs can I get with graphic design,’ you’ll be pleased to know that the possibilities are vast and diverse. This field allows you to explore roles in branding, advertising, technology, and even entertainment. Whether you’re interested in working for a company or freelancing, there are many jobs you can do with graphic design that suit different interests and skill sets. 

In this article, we’ll explore graphic design career opportunities and the required skills. We will also discuss how you can start your career in this field.

Top Career Paths in Graphic Design

Graphic design offers a wide range of career opportunities, making it a versatile and rewarding field. Whether you’re passionate about creating visuals, designing interfaces, or crafting animations, there’s a career that suits your skills and interests. For those wondering ‘what jobs can I get with graphic design’, the possibilities span across industries like technology, advertising, and entertainment. 

Let’s explore some of the most common career paths in graphic design.

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual content for branding, advertising, and marketing campaigns. They design logos, brochures, and promotional materials that communicate messages effectively.

Employers: Graphic designers are hired by advertising agencies, corporations, and freelance clients for their creative expertise.

UI/UX Designer 

UI/UX designers focus on creating user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces for apps, websites, and software. Their work ensures seamless interaction for users. If you’re curious to know what jobs you can get with graphic design, UI/UX design is a technical career path you can consider.

Employers: Tech companies, startups, and e-commerce platforms actively seek UI/UX designers to enhance digital experiences.

Web Designer

Web designers are responsible for creating and maintaining websites that are both functional and visually appealing. They balance design with usability. Becoming a web designer allows you to specialise in creating user-friendly websites where you can combine both design and technical skills.

Employers: IT firms, digital marketing agencies, and freelance clients rely on web designers for impactful online presence.

Brand Identity Designer

Brand identity designers specialise in developing logos, visual guidelines, and branding elements that define a company’s identity. While exploring what jobs you can get in graphic design, we find that as a brand identity designer, you will help shape how businesses present themselves to the market, focusing on logos, colours, and typography that communicate a brand’s core values.

Employers: Corporate entities, startups, and design studios often hire brand identity designers to shape their visual presence.

Illustrator

Illustrators create custom artwork for books, magazines, advertisements, and digital platforms. Their unique style adds depth to visual storytelling. Becoming an illustrator could be a great option. You would create visually engaging art for both traditional print media and digital platforms.

Employers: Publishing companies, advertising agencies, and game developers seek illustrators for creative projects.

Motion Graphics Designer

Motion graphics designers develop animations and video graphics for advertisements, online media, and films. Their work brings designs to life with movement. If you are wondering what jobs I can get in graphic design, motion graphics design is an excellent choice. It combines creativity with animation technology, making it an ideal career path.

Employers: Video production companies, film studios, and digital agencies are key employers for motion graphics designers.

Art Director

Art directors lead creative teams to produce attractive visual concepts for campaigns, publications, or films. They oversee the visual style and manage the design team.

Employers: Art directors work for publishing houses, film production studios, and advertising agencies.

Get insights on Is Graphic Design Hard to Learn Here!

Emerging Career Opportunities

The field of graphic design continues to grow, offering new and exciting career opportunities. Some of the emerging roles allow designers to use their creative skills and technical skills to fulfil the demands of modern industries. Let’s explore a few of these innovative career paths.

1. Social Media Designer

People searching for emerging jobs to do in graphic design can choose to become social media designers. Here, your focus would be on creating engaging visual content for digital platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Your work includes designing posts, stories, and advertisements that capture audience attention and promote engagement. 

Employers: Social media marketing agencies, businesses with an online presence, and freelance clients.

2. E-learning Content Designer

E-learning content designers craft visuals and layouts for online courses and training materials. Their work ensures that educational content is visually appealing and easy to follow, enhancing the learning experience. If you are searching ‘what jobs I can get in graphic design,’ then working as an e-learning content designer is an ideal role. This career path allows you to use your graphic design skills to fulfil the growing demand for online education. 

Employers: E-learning platforms, educational institutions, and corporate training departments.

3. Augmented Reality (AR) Designer

AR designers develop interactive visual elements for augmented reality apps and experiences. Their creations merge the physical and digital worlds, offering unique and immersive user experiences.

Employers: Tech companies, gaming studios, and creative agencies specialising in AR development.

Learn How to Become a UI and UX Designer Here!

Industries Hiring Graphic Designers

Graphic designers are in demand across a variety of industries because of their ability to create impactful visuals that effectively communicate ideas. If you are thinking about ‘what jobs I can get with graphic design’, then consider industries like advertising, technology, and retail that offer exciting opportunities for professionals with creative and technical skills.

1. Advertising and Marketing

Graphic designers in this industry create campaigns that improve brand awareness and drive sales. They work on advertisements, brochures, and promotional materials.
Examples: Ad agencies, marketing firms, and corporate marketing teams.

2. Technology

In the tech industry, designers focus on creating user-friendly interfaces and engaging user experiences for software and apps. Tech companies often hire UI/UX designers and digital artists to bring their platforms to life.
Examples: Tech companies, startups, and software development firms.

3. Entertainment

Graphic designers craft visuals for films, TV shows, music promotions, and video games, ensuring captivating imagery for audiences. While exploring ‘what jobs can you get with graphic design,’ you can choose to work in entertainment, which allows you to combine creativity with storytelling.
Examples: Film studios, game developers, and music production houses.

4. Education

In education, designers create engaging content for textbooks, e-learning platforms, and other learning materials.
Examples: Educational institutions, e-learning providers, and training companies.

5. Retail and E-commerce

Graphic designers in retail and e-commerce design packaging, digital ads, and product listings to attract customers and boost sales. If you are searching for ‘what jobs you can do with graphic design skills,’ the career paths in this sector let you work on branding and customer engagement strategies.
Examples: Retail brands, online stores, and product manufacturers.

Skills Needed for Graphic Design Jobs

To succeed in graphic design, professionals need a combination of technical expertise, creative thinking, and communication abilities. These skills help designers create impactful visuals, collaborate with teams, and manage projects.

If you’re considering ‘what jobs can I get with graphic design’, mastering the following skills can help you pursue a variety of roles in industries like tech, marketing, and entertainment.

Technical Skills

Strong technical skills are essential for graphic designers to produce high-quality work. Proficiency in software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator is crucial for creating detailed graphics, while tools like Figma enable collaborative interface design and After Effects support animation and motion graphics creation.

Creativity and Innovation

Graphic designers need creativity to develop unique concepts. For instance, designing a brand logo requires originality to ensure it represents the company’s values and stands out in a competitive market, combining bold ideas with attention to trends and audience preferences.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial for explaining design ideas and understanding client feedback. For example, while presenting a website design, a designer must justify layout choices and adapt based on suggestions to ensure the final product meets the client’s vision and project goals.

Project Management

Graphic designers must juggle tasks and deadlines efficiently. For instance, using project management tools like Trello can help designers balance creating social media posts for one client and finalising packaging designs for another, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality results.

Read on to learn How Long Does it Take to Study Graphic Design

How to Start a Graphic Design Career?

Starting a career in graphic design requires learning key skills, building a solid portfolio, and gaining practical experience. With the right education and experimental training, you can create impressive designs and build a successful career in the design industry. 

As you explore the question ‘what jobs can I get in graphic design,’ it is essential to follow the given steps to start a career in sectors like branding, digital design, and more:

• Education: Enrol in a course like the UI/UX and Graphic Design Course with Gen AI. It is a six-month course offered by Digital Regensys. Our course combines User Interface and User Experience design. Here, a team of experienced instructors teaches essential tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and WordPress.
• Internships and Freelance Projects: Gain practical experience by working on real projects. Internships and freelance work allow you to build your resume while refining your skills under industry guidance.
• Portfolio Development: A portfolio showcases your skills and creativity. Include diverse projects that showcase your ability to handle various design challenges and tools.
• Networking: Join design communities, attend events, and use social media to connect with professionals. Networking can help you get mentorship and job opportunities. 

Salary Expectations for Graphic Design Roles

Salaries for graphic design professionals in South Africa can vary widely based on the job role, experience, and location. Specialisation and expertise in areas like UI/UX design or art direction can lead to higher earnings.

If you’re researching what jobs can I get with graphic design, consider roles like UI/UX designer or motion graphic designer for high-paying career options. Below is a table showcasing the average annual salaries for various graphic design roles:

Job Role	Average Salary (Per Year)
Graphic Designer	R 207,429
UI/UX Designer	R 540,000
Art Director	R 360,000
Illustrator	R 300,000
Motion Graphic Designer	R 206,661

Experience, specialisation, and the industry you work in greatly influence salary levels. Advanced skills in tools and techniques can also improve earning potential.

In conclusion, graphic design is a versatile and rewarding career, offering roles in various industries like technology, advertising, and entertainment. For those exploring what jobs they can get with graphic design, the possibilities range from UI/UX design to art direction and motion graphics. By mastering essential tools, building a strong portfolio, and gaining practical experience, you can secure opportunities in this creative field. As per your preferences, you can choose to work at companies or freelance. With the right skills and dedication, the potential is limitless in this industry.

Please visit the Digital Regenesys website for more information about the UI/UX and Graphic Design Course with Gen AI and its curriculum. 

What Jobs Can I Get with Graphic Design? – FAQs