Top Skills for 2019: Graphic Design

Top Skills for 2019: Graphic Design

Do you love being creative and have a knack for thinking in terms of images and visual aids? You might want to become a graphic designer. As the business world becomes more competitive, companies need to find creative ways to set themselves apart in the minds of consumers. This is why graphic design skills are a critical component of marketing, and one of the top skills to have in 2019.

Across industries, businesses need some form of graphic design. Because of this, there are numerous paths you can take in a graphic design career. For example, an in-depth knowledge of graphic design for Photoshop will allow you to enter any business and immediately make an impact on their brand image. You could also learn about responsive web design and designing effective websites to become a website designer or even gain skills in video game design. All these areas involve graphic design skills, and all are in-demand.

Do company’s still use graphic designers?

Absolutely. As a profession, graphic design skills may translate to job titles like UI/UX designer, production designer, web designer, creative specialist, and more. In most sectors, these skills would be used in a marketing department to create various communication pieces including advertisements, infographics, social media posts, brochures, logos, and corporate reports. However, graphic designers also serve a pivotal role in creative arts such as video games and cinema.

The world of graphic design is constantly evolving as new technologies emerge. This is a career where it will be important to stay up-to-date on the latest software available to stay competitive for graphic design jobs.

So, why are graphic design skills important in 2019?

Demand for graphic designers is growing in tech industries.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall job outlook only projects job growth by 4 percent through 2026. While slower than the average for all occupations, it’s important to look closer at where that growth comes from.

This slow growth is due to the fact that a large portion of the traditional employers of graphic designers (magazines, newspapers, and other print publications) are expected to decline. But, the need for graphic designers in computer systems design and other technology services is projected to grow 20 percent during the same period. This will lead to the need for more graphic designers who can create visually appealing content, websites, and user experiences. Even with slower than average growth overall, an additional 11,100 jobs for graphic designers is projected in the next several years.  

You can earn a good salary as a graphic designer.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for graphic designers was just over $50,000 as of May 2018. However, the top 10 percent of earners in this field made upwards of $85,760 per year. Payscale reports the average salary of a graphic designer is nearly $44,000; it also reports that people see typical bonuses of $1,350 as well as profit sharing and commission. Graphic designers earn $4,000 more per year than others in the art and design industry; that’s nearly $12,000 more than the average worker in the United States.  

You will see your creativity flourish.

It’s a great feeling to see your hard work pay off. It’s even better to contribute to something that drives your organization. When you work in graphic design, you could see your creative work in magazines, on websites, even on billboards. Imagine your work out there for everyone to see!

Your job in graphic design will never be the same from day to day.

There will always be new projects, new clients, new challenges, and new opportunities as a graphic designer. The best graphic designers evolve and constantly improve — discovering and inventing new creative ways to tell a visual story..

Graphic design skills will give you an opportunity to start your own business.

As a freelance graphic designer, you can set your own terms. Imagine setting your own schedule, picking your clients, and working on the projects that interest you. While many graphic designers work for other companies, more and more are stepping out on their own. In fact, 18 percent of all graphic designers were self-employed in 2018, and this number is growing.

What can you do with graphic design skills?

The competition for graphic design jobs can be high, so it’s important to think digitally. Many veteran graphic designers agree that learning new technologies and expanding to UI/UX design will help you advance your careers. So don’t shy away from the latest graphic design software — think of it as a way to expand your graphic design skill set. Many graphic designers go on to become creative directors, art directors, web designers and developers, marketing directors, user experience designers, and even vice presidents of creative design.

As technology advances, many professionals are constantly worried that their jobs will eventually be automated or performed by machines. This is definitely not the case for graphic designers. Your creative mind and your ability to develop a one-of-a-kind, inspiring pieces are your greatest assets. As a graphic designer, you’ll be an essential part of a company’s brand image—what sets it apart from all others. Visual communication will always be a part of our lives. While we often use technology to create images, it takes a graphic designer to imagine the possibilities and present them to the world.