If you need more clarity about what direction to take your graphic design career, familiarizing yourself with the different niches within the industry will give you a sense of what you are suited to.
Deciding your area of expertise is a big decision in any career. The years you spend working and gaining experience can be leveraged to negotiate a higher salary and take on more responsibilities in your role for further progression.
You don't want to waste time developing skills in a career path you do not intend to pursue later, so it's better to get it right the first time!
If you have decided on graphic design, you can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that you have selected a creative field that presents countless avenues catering to various interests and skills.
Ways to Pursue a Path in Graphic Design
Before discussing the different roles that those with graphic design skills typically enter, it's also important to discuss the different working structures you can use to decide whether to offer your services.
Understanding the key elements of design will also be crucial, as these elements influence how you approach your work regardless of the structure you choose.
You can work in a design company, supplement your current career by providing evening services, or work from anywhere with your laptop.
Graphic design is undoubtedly a career path that presents several avenues for you, whether you're interested in becoming an in-house designer, working in an agency, or offering your service as a freelancer.
Role Pros Cons In-house Graphic Designer - Traditional work environment with benefits and time off
- Steady paycheck
- Opportunity for advancement
- Ability to deeply develop one brand
- More rules and restrictions from the company
- More communication is required to justify designs
- Non-design environment with fewer designer collaborators Agency Graphic Designer - High expectations for design excellence
- Opportunities to learn from experienced mentors
- Focus solely on graphic design work- Less job security due to project-based work
- Rigorous hours and tight deadlines Freelance Graphic Designer - Location independence
- More creative freedom
- Ability to tailor your schedule
- Lack of coworkers and collaboration
- Need to hunt for and bid on new work constantly
- Unreliable pay and lack of benefits
In-house Graphic Designer
Becoming an in-house graphic designer will give you an excellent opportunity to learn and develop, especially if you're interested in learning graphic design as a beginner.
You will have the security of a salary and get to work and learn with a particular brand rather than a constant stream of new clients. This can be a great way to build a strong foundation in design principles and software proficiency.
The years of experience you accumulate as an in-house designer will also be valuable when you transition to a new role or negotiate a promotion.
Agency
Suppose you decide to work for an agency. In that case, you can dedicate yourself to design tasks, allowing you to improve your skills and take on projects in various fields.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows. Working long hours and tight deadlines requires effective management of several tasks at once.
Freelance
Given graphic design's freedom, exploring that and offering your services as a freelancer may also be in your interest. Regardless of your skills, you can find clients who need your help and work on your schedule.
Now that we have covered the avenues you can pursue as a graphic designer, let's explore why you clicked on this article and examine some of the roles that make this possible.
Become an Illustrator
Given the number of digital touchpoints a modern company meets its consumers, brands must differentiate themselves with compelling illustrations.
On top of that, your talent for drawing a limitless imagination can also be used for decorating children's books, editorial purposes, or concept art for video games.
Illustration sets itself apart from design by creating interpretations of written pieces or abstract ideas, while graphic designers primarily focus on crafting marketing materials for businesses.
Given that you will be providing a service that relies on your skills, you must refine your talents according to the niche you intend to pursue.
Outside of developing a foundation in fine arts or drawing, you may also need to improve your proficiency in illustration software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Even if you don't plan on utilizing the software soon, consider familiarizing yourself with it since many projects require its implementation.
Displaying your work effectively can attract potential clients, given the eye-catching nature of social media.
Website Designer
If you feel that your true calling is more technical, then you are likely already thinking about web development.
In this role, you can take care of the design aspects and website coding using languages such as PHP, Python, and SQL.
These programming languages can leave you scratching your head if you have no background experience with them, but once you overcome the associated learning curve, you will be a more well-rounded web designer.
You will also heavily rely on your design skills and understanding of design principles when crafting a visually appealing website that looks good and provides smooth navigation and user-friendly interactions. Learning resources to get you started with graphic design as a beginner are readily available online and can be a great asset in this process.
While it's great to work in something you are passionate about, we can't ignore the fact that one of the main incentives that attracts many designers to this career is the job security it offers.
In today's era, every organization values having an online presence regardless of size or industry. As businesses aim to create and uphold a digital footprint, the demand for talented website designers continues to rise.
The earning potential in this field is promising, with salaries ranging from $40,000 to $125,000, depending on expertise and skill level.
Consider improving a few skills to understand better how you could narrow the gap between your current position and your work as a web designer.
Proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite and a basic understanding of HTML and CSS will empower you to bring your designs to fruition. Suppose you plan on jumping into a career without a background in design or programming. In that case, working alongside a private tutor is possible and can be made even more accessible.
Don't feel like you are limiting yourself when choosing your niche as a graphic designer. With the experience and skills you accumulate in web design, you can delve into many other related roles, such as UX/UI design and digital design.
The beauty is that many of these positions often intersect, allowing you to capitalize on your expertise while broadening your skillset.
Product Designer
Sometimes, it isn't you who chooses your niche, but rather your niche who chooses you. It often takes throwing yourself into the role before you can ultimately decide whether or not it's for you.
For many graphic designers worldwide, that niche is in product design. In this career path, you can expect to shape how people interact with digital products on a daily basis.
Your job as a product designer involves creating attractive designs and solving specific problems for users. Your input is vital to product development, whether brainstorming product ideas or enhancing existing ones.
Many people who find themselves in this career come from backgrounds in design, UX/UI design, graphic design, architecture, marketing, engineering, and customer service.
This diverse mix of expertise allows various perspectives and skills to tackle design challenges from all angles. If nothing else, it definitely creates a far more enjoyable and stimulating working environment, as you will be collaborating with professionals from a wide range of backgrounds.
When you break down the career into the day-to-day tasks generally associated with product design, you get a clearer idea of what it entails.
You can definitely expect to be kept on your toes while accomplishing a wide range of tasks, such as user research, mockup creation, user journey mapping, and prototyping.
Suppose you want to have the upper hand when applying for a product designer role or when getting started as a freelancer. In that case, you should improve your skills in design software such as Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, InVision, and Miro.
Suppose you are confident using at least one of these. In that case, you will have an easier time in the role, helping you craft wireframes and collaborate efficiently with your team.
Upskill in Graphic Design with Superprof
Hopefully, after reading, you will have a better understanding of the different ways to work as a graphic designer and some more clarity on the top graphic design careers.
Don't feel left behind or like there is too much software or programming to pick up. You can accelerate your learning process by working with a private tutor from Superprof.
One of the benefits of using Superprof for learning is the chance to take advantage of the free first lesson that most tutors on the platform provide. This lets you experience how the graphic design instructor teaches and ensures a fit before committing to a long-term arrangement.
You also have the option to participate in lessons online through platforms like Skype or Zoom or opt for face-to-face sessions, whichever best suits your preferences and learning style.
The range of subjects that Superprof's tutors cover is truly impressive. There's something for every niche.
Whether you want to master industry software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, dive into UI/UX design principles, or progress toward a career in illustration, you'll find a tutor who can help you get started in your field of interest. Additionally, you can even discover the best graphic design software to use for your creative projects.
So, no matter what stage you are at in the learning journey, get started today by reaching out to one of the teachers specializing in tutoring graphic design on the platform!
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