
The road to achieving career success looks different for everyone.
After some thought, you’re starting to realize that pursuing a degree in
graphic design might be the right path for you. But before you commit
the time and money it takes to acquire a formal education, you want to
know what your job prospects will look like after graduation.
So what can you do with a graphic design degree, anyway?
Most people think there is a single answer:
become a graphic designer, of course! But the truth is that the options are
much more vast
than that! The bulk of learning the trade is focused on design concepts
and skills but there are still a host of non-design skills you’ll need
to learn if you want to be successful in the field. Once you master
those skills, your graphic design career options will begin to unfold
before your eyes!
10 careers for graphic design degree holders
We used real-time job analysis software from Burning-Glass.com to
examine more than 7,500 job postings calling for candidates with a
graphic design degree.* Below you’ll find a breakdown of the 10 most common positions we identified in our analysis.
The information included will provide you with an accurate picture of
what each job entails, including the outlook and average earning
potential for all.** Click each job title for a more in-depth look from
the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos and websites
- Review final layouts, suggest improvements if needed and make necessary changes
- Maintain archive of images, photos and previous work samples
Median annual salary: $44,830
Projected growth (2012-2022): 7 percent
- Use authoring or script languages and managing tools to design, build and maintain websites
- Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured and meets industry standards
- Identify and correct problems uncovered by testing or user feedback
Median annual salary: $63,160
Projected growth (2012-2022): 20 percent
- Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information and presentation approaches
- Work with department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities
- Work with creative directors to develop design solutions
Median annual salary: $83,000
Projected growth (2012-2022): 5 percent
- Design complex graphics and animation using computer animation or modeling programs
- Apply story development, directing, cinematography and editing to animation
- Develop briefs, brochures, web pages, promotional products and technical illustrations for use in products and manuals
Median annual salary: $64,470
Projected growth (2012-2022): 6 percent
- Collect and analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs and buying habits
- Gather data on competitors, analyzing their prices, sales and method of marketing distribution
- Measure the effectiveness of marketing, advertising and communications programs and strategies
Median annual salary: $60,800
Projected growth (2012-2022): 22 percent
- Design test plans, scenarios, scripts or procedures
- Identify, analyze and document problems with program function, output, online screen or content
- Participate in product design reviews to provide input on
functional requirements, product designs, schedules or potential
complications
Median annual salary: $83,340
Projected growth (2012-2022): 7 percent
- Responsible for design, development and modification of software systems
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to achieve a time and cost-effective design
- Supervise the work of programmers, technologists and technicians
Median annual salary: $92,660
Projected growth (2012-2022): 22 percent
- Prepare or edit organizational publications for internal and external audiences
- Consult with advertising agencies or staff to arrange
promotional campaigns in all types of media for products, organizations
or individuals
- Confer with production to produce or coordinate implementation of advertisements or promotions
Median annual salary: $54,940
Projected growth (2012-2022): 12 percent
- Identify, develop or evaluate marketing strategies
- Formulate, direct and coordinate marketing activities and policies to promote products and services
- Consult with buying personnel to gain advice regarding the products expected to be in demand
Median annual salary: $123,220
Projected growth (2012-2022): 12 percent
- Work with various departments to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products
- Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork or blueprints
- Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings
Median annual salary: $62,370
Projected growth (2012-2022): 5 percent