Top 7 Graphic Design Job Recommendations & How to Land Them Like a Pro

Ancient cave paintings from 1500 BC mark the origins of graphic design. Prehistoric humans used these cave paintings as a medium for sharing information and knowledge. This early form of visual storytelling laid the foundation for what would eventually evolve into the modern graphic design job. These paintings typically feature images of animals, handprints, weapons, and other hunting references. Historians believe that communication at that time prioritized visual aspects. 

The term “graphic design” appeared and got recognized around 1922, when an American typographer, William Addison Dwiggins, created it to distinguish and identify various design types used in the printing industry. Based on the terminology, graphic design is one type of art that creates visual work. It involves many visual elements, including images, colors, texts, lines, and shapes.

Since then, working in a graphic design job has become one of the most promising and growing careers. Graphic design has a significant impact on the image and identity of a brand, product, or even an individual. This post will explore how to begin a career as a graphic designer and provide links to the finest types of graphic design job listings.

 

How to Get a Graphic Design Job

To start a career as a graphic designer, you need to master basic design skills, build a solid portfolio, and gain hands-on experience in the field. With the right education and experimental training, you can master and create marketable designs and build a successful career in the creative industry.

Here are the details you need to secure the graphic design job you desire:

Get the proper education.

Begin your journey by pursuing a formal education in visual communication design, multimedia, or fine arts. This basic education will equip you with the essential skills needed to thrive in the creative industry upon graduation. In addition to pursuing formal education, consider enrolling in design courses or exploring online learning platforms such as Coursera. The length and price of the courses can differ based on the specific skills you wish to acquire. 

Create your portfolio.

To land a job in the creative industry, you need to have a portfolio that shows the result of your designs. If you do not have any experience working on a project or with a client, consider creating case study projects and including them in your portfolio. Do not forget to include the design process as well. An excellent portfolio will not only show the product but also the detailed design thinking. 

Do internships and freelance projects.

Once your portfolio is ready, start gaining real experience by joining an internship program offered by companies that align with your skills and showcase your portfolio. Alternatively, explore the opportunity to secure a freelancing project on platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, 99designs, and others.

Build a connection.

Having a connection is incredibly important, especially if it can gain you knowledge and better opportunities. As a matter of fact, there are many job vacancies that are undisclosed to the general public, and they are only shared with certain groups or communities within the same field. Therefore, it is beneficial for you to participate in design communities, attend design events, and utilize social media to establish connections with professionals.

Top 7 Graphic Design Job Recommendations

Once you’ve completed all the preparations, you’re ready to embark on your career in the creative industry. The following are some of the best graphic design job recommendations for you.

Brand Identity Designer

Creating a brand identity involves crafting a cohesive visual and non-visual element that embodies the essence of a brand. This includes everything from the logo and color palette to typography, design style, and various supporting elements that come together to tell a compelling brand story.

As a brand identity designer, you hold the key to shaping the brand’s style and directing various design projects, including logos, marketing materials, and website design. 

Generally, a graphic designer who focuses on brand identity design will handle the following main elements:

• Brand Strategy
• Logo Design
• Typography
• Color Palette
• Icon Systems
• Elemen Supergrafis
• Brand Guidelines or GSM (Graphic Standard Manual)

According to ZipRecruiter, as of July 9th, 2025, the average salary of brand identity designers in the United States is $108,211 per year or $52 per hour. It all depends on responsibility, experience, and the company’s location. 

UI Designer

UI designer is a highly sought-after graphic design job right now. UI designers are responsible for creating the user interface of software, applications, or websites. They are in charge of designing an appealing and functional visual display, including the layout, color scheme, icon, and other interactive aspects.

If a graphic designer must create a pleasing design that can deliver the message well, UI designers are required to do more than that. They also need to consider functionality and ensure their visual designs are easy to use. Typically, UI designers will collaborate with UX designers to maximize functionality and ease of use in their digital products, providing a positive experience for their users.

As a UI designer, you need to master the following skills:

• Visual design and visual communication skills
• Deep knowledge of UI design and interaction design principles (including responsive design)
• Knowledge of UX design and designing for accessibility
• Proficiency in UI design tools such as Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma
• The ability to communicate and collaborate well and effectively with the team

In the United States, UI designers can expect to earn an average salary between $80,000 and $94,000 annually, influenced by their experience and geographical location, as reported by The Interaction Design. And the average annual salary for senior UI designers stands at approximately $145,000, as reported by Uxcel.

Graphic Illustrator

To be successful as an illustrator, one must also embrace graphic design skills. Mastery in this field demands a solid understanding of visual design principles, including composition, color theory, typography, layout, and even the nuances of lighting techniques in design. These skills are often essential for those pursuing a graphic design job, where versatility and creativity are key.

An illustrator’s primary role is to convey a narrative or specific message through captivating visual imagery or illustrations. They transform ideas, concepts, or narratives into captivating and engaging artwork. Illustrators collaborate closely with copywriters, graphic designers, and clients to bring visions to life and achieve outstanding results—skills that are also highly valued in a graphic design job.

Since 2022, graphic illustration has become a popular career choice, offering many fields for you to explore, including:

• Editorial Illustrator (Publishing)
• Visual Designer (Digital Marketing)
• Product Design Illustrator
• Concept Artist/Illustrator (Animation and Film)
• Freelance Illustrator

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a designer illustrator ranges from $38,500 to $68,000 per year and can reach $96,000 for senior designer illustrators. So, this is definitely a decent graphic design job that is worth trying. 

Product Designer

Graphic designers specialize in creating stunning designs and visual assets, including posters, book covers, logos, and various media. In contrast, product designers dedicate their efforts to innovating and enhancing products, whether by developing new concepts or refining existing ones. Product designers oversee the complete journey of bringing a physical product to life.

Imagine a hair dryer that features sleek, modern aesthetics and offers unparalleled comfort for extended use. The innovative design redefines the styling experience, making the hair dryer a must-have in any beauty collection. During the design process, product designers focus on functionality, comfort, and delivering an exceptional experience for users. Therefore, that is why this graphic design job requires you to master certain skills needed to do exactly that. 

The following are things that a product designer needs to master:

• The ability to do research and analysis to understand users’ needs, behaviors, and issues.
• The ability to do product wireframing and concept prototyping
• The ability to communicate and collaborate among teams
• Possessing empathy and a psychological understanding of users is essential.
• The understanding of the business purpose for the created product
• Mastering modern design tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision

According to Indeed, the average salary for product designers in the United States ranges from 21,000 per year, depending on experience level and responsibilities.

Packaging Designer

Every product, particularly those that are physical, demands packaging that embodies the essence of the brand. From the vibrant designs on cereal boxes to the elegant packaging of high-end bags, the expertise of professionals is essential for creating captivating visuals. This is the start of a graphic design job, i.e., as a packaging designer. A designer’s role is to craft packaging that is not only visually striking but also functional, seamlessly aligning with the brand identity while safeguarding the core product.

A graphic design job requires a strong understanding of branding and customer psychology to create appealing packaging that attracts customers. In addition to understanding design principles like color theory and typography, designers must also be familiar with rules and regulations regarding the information displayed on packaging, such as nutritional information. Trying to understand design principles like color theory and typography, they also need to be familiar with any rules and regulations regarding the information displayed on packaging, such as nutritional information.

Essential Skills for a Packaging Designer:

• Strong creativity and a flair for innovation
• Proficiency in design software, particularly Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
• Solid understanding of graphic design principles
• Knowledge of packaging structures, including dielines and construction techniques
• Familiarity with effective and sustainable packaging materials
• A proficient grasp of branding and marketing concepts

The salary of a packaging designer in Europe and America varies depending on location, experience, and company. Generally, the average salary in the United States ranges from $52,273 to $68,738 per year.

Lettering & Type Designer

Sometimes, individuals pursuing a graphic design job overlook the specialized roles of lettering artists and type designers. While both focus on letters and writing, they are distinct professions. Lettering involves creating custom letterforms—either by hand or digitally—for expressive, one-of-a-kind designs. On the other hand, a type designer creates comprehensive fonts, encompassing letters, numbers, and symbols, for digital use in a variety of sizes and styles. If you’re curious about this field, visit the Yumnatype website to explore examples of fonts created by professional type designers.

Both lettering and type designers share foundational skills, such as a strong grasp of typography and core design principles. Below, we outline the essential skills required for these graphic design jobs:

Comprehension of typography principles:

• Letter anatomy
• Font types and characteristics
• Comprehension of the right spacing and kerning
• Understanding legibility and readability

Comprehension of design principles:

• Design composition
• Visual hierarchy
• Color harmony
• The use of space
• Visual contrast
• Font designing ability

Income from lettering and type design work usually depends on the projects they are working on. They usually collaborate with clients on a per-project contract basis or work freelance. For beginners and intermediate users, the average income can range from $30,000 to $80,000 per year, but for senior users, it can exceed $100,000 per year.

Social Media Designer

The demand for skilled social media designers will significantly increase as the digital era continues to expand. So you can consider this graphic design job a gateway to a dynamic career filled with abundant opportunities in the design world.

A social media designer is responsible for creating and managing visually appealing and effective visual content for a company’s brand on social media. This content is then processed and presented in various media formats, such as Instagram feed posters, Reels videos, and short animated videos, with the aim of conveying information, promotions, and campaigns.

A social media designer must possess strong graphic design skills to ensure visual consistency across all social media content. Key skills required for this role include:

• A solid understanding of fundamental graphic design principles
• Proficiency in design software, particularly Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
• Familiarity with major social media platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, etc.)
• Creativity in developing engaging and purposeful content
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for effective teamwork
• Awareness of current social media trends and platform algorithms

The salary of a social media designer in the United States varies depending on factors such as location, experience, and the type of company. According to Education Republic, the average salary for a social media designer in the US ranges from $45,000 to $75,000 per year.

In conclusion, becoming a graphic designer entails much more than simply producing banners or logos. Here, you can see that there are many graphic design jobs, each with its own particular purpose. You can find the best graphic design job for you, whether you want to be a brand identity designer who focuses on developing a brand’s image or a social media designer who is skilled at making appealing social media posts.

Nevertheless, you do not need to be worried about the multitude of options; instead, you should focus on developing the essential skills and constantly upgrading your knowledge of the world of design and the creative sector, particularly in your field of interest.