What Can You Do With a Graphic Design Degree?

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.

1. Graphic designers

• 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

2. Web developers

• 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

3. Art directors

• 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

4. Multimedia artists/animators

• 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

5. Marketing specialists

• 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

6. Software quality assurance testers

• 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

7. Software applications developers

• 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

8. Public relations specialists

• 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

9. Marketing managers

• 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

10. Commercial and industrial designers

• 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