Graphic designer
Use your creative skills to design the look of websites, packaging, adverts and more.
About the job
Career insights – Graphic designer
What it's like
Ready to create eye-catching visuals for print and digital channels? As a graphic designer, you'll use your creative skills to design the look of websites, packaging, adverts, exhibitions and more.
You'll produce amazing designs that'll help your company or client connect with more customers. You could take on many different projects and briefs. For example, you may work on a corporate project that has a clear and structured design brief. Although, you could do smaller assignments where you can let your creativity run wild!
One day, you could design a colourful logo for a brand's social media. The next, you may create a bold new visual identity for a company's website. You could even work on clothing designs!
Your tasks might include:
discussing upcoming projects with marketing managers, clients and colleagues
brainstorming ideas and developing plans to create motion graphics
working out costs for the project and making sure you stick to your budget
making rough sketches or computer visuals to show the client
converting still images into moving graphics that grab the viewer's attention
producing a final layout with exact specifications for typefaces, letter sizes and colours
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Chartered Society of Designers – learn about this internationally-recognised body that can support designers
Design and Art Direction (D&AD) – check out this organisation that supports emerging creatives
ScreenSkills – explore careers across the creative industries
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Graphic designer'
Select qualification level(s)
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Digital technologies -
Creative
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- problem solving
- innovative
- designing
- creative
- working with technology
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Art and Design
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Art and Design (Design)
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Computing Science
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English and Communication
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Graphic Communication
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Skills for Work: Creative Digital Media
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Creative and Digital Media
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You can launch your graphic design career through university, college or an apprenticeship.
University
A degree may be helpful for getting into this job. You could study subjects, such as:
Graphic Design
Communication Design
Visual Communication
Digital Design or Digital Media
Design and Applied Arts
Illustration or Animation
User Experience (UX) Design
Multimedia Design
Photography
Use the My World of Work course search to find degrees.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you secure a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Graphic Design
Visual Communication
Art and Design
Illustration
Computer Arts and Design
Digital Design and Development
Interactive Media
Web Development (with design elements)
Creative Media Production
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Volunteering in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a graphic designer. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
You'll generally need a portfolio of work when applying for jobs and courses.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Graphic designer'
