5 answers
Emely
Student
Pasadena, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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What is it like getting work as a graphic designer And what type of work is normally done? #Spring25?
I am a collage student looking into working in the graphic design field and i would love to know what its like to look for a job and what the work can entail
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4 answers
Pierre Fontaine
Consumer Product and Packaging Design
5
Answers
Ardsley, New York
Updated
Pierre’s Answer
There are so many niche fields where your expertise can really shine. Graphic designers can be anything from logos to layouts to pattern design to packaging design. I worked for 20 years producing product and packaging. Unfortunately that company went out of business and I’m searching for a new job.
It’s definitely a challenging job market, especially for someone in my 50 plus age bracket. However, the company I worked for was hiring people just out of college. I know the market is there for younger designers to find work because they bring fresh ideas and provide fresh inspiration. You need a good portfolio and really good work to show. It needs to represent your abilities and your personality in addition to the regular bread and butter logo and graphic design work.
My former boss always said he was hiring the person rather than just the talent. He interviewed plenty of people who had wonderful portfolios but weren’t passionate about their work in some way. He wanted to know about how they think and if they could come up with creative solutions to a problem.
When I was hiring people, I had a similar outlook. I also looked for people who would be a good fit for the organization. Most importantly, I also wanted to see if they had a creative mind and were good problem solvers. If so, I knew I could teach them what they needed to learn to be successful at the job.
I hope this is helpful!
It’s definitely a challenging job market, especially for someone in my 50 plus age bracket. However, the company I worked for was hiring people just out of college. I know the market is there for younger designers to find work because they bring fresh ideas and provide fresh inspiration. You need a good portfolio and really good work to show. It needs to represent your abilities and your personality in addition to the regular bread and butter logo and graphic design work.
My former boss always said he was hiring the person rather than just the talent. He interviewed plenty of people who had wonderful portfolios but weren’t passionate about their work in some way. He wanted to know about how they think and if they could come up with creative solutions to a problem.
When I was hiring people, I had a similar outlook. I also looked for people who would be a good fit for the organization. Most importantly, I also wanted to see if they had a creative mind and were good problem solvers. If so, I knew I could teach them what they needed to learn to be successful at the job.
I hope this is helpful!
Martha Bravo
Communications and Design
3
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hello there, I'm a Communications major but I do some design in my current work! I started doing design mainly because I've shown interest and also because I became an expert in the branding of the company I work at, so that will be important for you once you start working -- that you demostrate you can adhere to branding guidelines but also that you can be creative and stand out.
It really depends on what interests you most in graphic design (or design in general) and what industries are trending when you graduate. A couple of years ago, it was very trendy to be a designer and also know some UX/UI, you could get great jobs in that field! Now, I think that boom is quieting a bit, but you'll still find a lot of jobs in UX/UI design.
Design is such a diverse career, you can do a lot of things, so I think you should look for fields you're interested in (editorial, science, film, technology, product) and start approaching them and looking for mentors in that area. Most people are eager to help!
Also, try creating a good portfolio, that will be the most important thing for you as a designer, and what most recruiters will ask from you. :)
Good luck!
It really depends on what interests you most in graphic design (or design in general) and what industries are trending when you graduate. A couple of years ago, it was very trendy to be a designer and also know some UX/UI, you could get great jobs in that field! Now, I think that boom is quieting a bit, but you'll still find a lot of jobs in UX/UI design.
Design is such a diverse career, you can do a lot of things, so I think you should look for fields you're interested in (editorial, science, film, technology, product) and start approaching them and looking for mentors in that area. Most people are eager to help!
Also, try creating a good portfolio, that will be the most important thing for you as a designer, and what most recruiters will ask from you. :)
Good luck!
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
72
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Emely,
Graphic design can encompass so many things. I've been around a while, so my speciality is print. I've designed and sold newspaper ads; worked as a traffic coordinator and production assistant at a litigation graphics firm; and been a graphic designer, production artist, and consumer product developer at a direct-mail order retailer, for instance.
Lately I've been designing and producing educational materials (books, workbooks, etc.) and am hoping to find more work like that. I provide a range of services and would really like to find more RFP projects (proposals) because I enjoy the variety of writing-related and technical graphics work involved. I was working as a part-time consultant for a USAID-affiliated international development firm on disease education projects until USAID got defunded, and hope to find more mission-based work like that again.
What do you like about graphic design? Maybe writing a list would help you clarify. When I was a student, I really enjoyed graphic design history, layout, and typography, and still do.
As for getting work, it's my least favorite part and I'm still trying to figure out how to get good at it, particularly since a lot of what I do is confidential and can't be included in a portfolio. I'm sure someone else will be able to give you better advice than I can. I spend hours every week scouring ads online, applying for jobs and trying to figure out a better way to find gigs.
Looking forward to seeing what responses you get.
Thanks for your question! Hope I've given you some useful info.
Graphic design can encompass so many things. I've been around a while, so my speciality is print. I've designed and sold newspaper ads; worked as a traffic coordinator and production assistant at a litigation graphics firm; and been a graphic designer, production artist, and consumer product developer at a direct-mail order retailer, for instance.
Lately I've been designing and producing educational materials (books, workbooks, etc.) and am hoping to find more work like that. I provide a range of services and would really like to find more RFP projects (proposals) because I enjoy the variety of writing-related and technical graphics work involved. I was working as a part-time consultant for a USAID-affiliated international development firm on disease education projects until USAID got defunded, and hope to find more mission-based work like that again.
What do you like about graphic design? Maybe writing a list would help you clarify. When I was a student, I really enjoyed graphic design history, layout, and typography, and still do.
As for getting work, it's my least favorite part and I'm still trying to figure out how to get good at it, particularly since a lot of what I do is confidential and can't be included in a portfolio. I'm sure someone else will be able to give you better advice than I can. I spend hours every week scouring ads online, applying for jobs and trying to figure out a better way to find gigs.
Looking forward to seeing what responses you get.
Thanks for your question! Hope I've given you some useful info.
Thank you so much for this answer!
Emely
Melanie Silver
Artist, Commercial and fine art, beadworker
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Hi Emely,
Graphic Design is a great field, but it's been tough to find work lately because of the market and AI. Focus on one area and look for internships and opportunities at school.
Graphic Design is a great field, but it's been tough to find work lately because of the market and AI. Focus on one area and look for internships and opportunities at school.