5 answers
Darwuin
Student
Glenville, West Virginia
1
Question
Updated
654 views
Is getting into jobs with a graphic design degree difficult or easy?
I'm a freshman in college, some of my favorite hobbies are reading, coding, and gaming.
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5 answers
Candelaria Cresta
Product Design
9
Answers
Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Updated
Candelaria’s Answer
Hi Darwuin,
It’s pretty much like any other job! it takes some effort and preparation. The great thing about graphic design is that you’re not limited to “traditional” jobs. You have the advantage of working as a freelancer too, offering your skills on different platforms for specific projects.
So even while you’re applying for full-time roles, you can start building experience and growing your portfolio. That flexibility makes the transition into the field much easier.
If I can give you one piece of advice: start your portfolio right away using the projects you’ve created in college. And look for volunteer opportunities , maybe helping a local business redisign the brand or a community group, anything that lets you practice and show your work. These small real-world projects add a lot of value and help you stand out when you start applying for jobs.
Best of luck,
Candelaria
It’s pretty much like any other job! it takes some effort and preparation. The great thing about graphic design is that you’re not limited to “traditional” jobs. You have the advantage of working as a freelancer too, offering your skills on different platforms for specific projects.
So even while you’re applying for full-time roles, you can start building experience and growing your portfolio. That flexibility makes the transition into the field much easier.
If I can give you one piece of advice: start your portfolio right away using the projects you’ve created in college. And look for volunteer opportunities , maybe helping a local business redisign the brand or a community group, anything that lets you practice and show your work. These small real-world projects add a lot of value and help you stand out when you start applying for jobs.
Best of luck,
Candelaria
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Darwuin. Getting a job with a graphic design degree can be both challenging and possible, depending on how much you prepare and practice while in college. The field can be competitive because many people want creative jobs, but there are also many opportunities because companies, media, and tech industries always need designers for websites, marketing, etc. This means that if you work hard and build your skills, you can find a job.
As a freshman, you can start thinking about how your hobbies connect to graphic design. For example, gaming can help you learn about designing game interfaces or apps, coding can help with web or interactive design, and reading can improve your storytelling and communication skills. Employers like designers who are creative and can solve problems with technical skills.
Your portfolio is one of the most important things when applying for a design job. It should show different types of work, including school projects, personal projects, and small freelance or volunteer jobs. Even designing a logo for a friend or making graphics for a game mod can be part of your portfolio.
Networking can also help a lot. You can go to design events, connect with professionals online, and try to get internships. Internships give real experience and sometimes lead to jobs after graduation. Good luck.
As a freshman, you can start thinking about how your hobbies connect to graphic design. For example, gaming can help you learn about designing game interfaces or apps, coding can help with web or interactive design, and reading can improve your storytelling and communication skills. Employers like designers who are creative and can solve problems with technical skills.
Your portfolio is one of the most important things when applying for a design job. It should show different types of work, including school projects, personal projects, and small freelance or volunteer jobs. Even designing a logo for a friend or making graphics for a game mod can be part of your portfolio.
Networking can also help a lot. You can go to design events, connect with professionals online, and try to get internships. Internships give real experience and sometimes lead to jobs after graduation. Good luck.
Jordan Grimmesey
Experience/Web Design
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Jordan’s Answer
Hi Darwuin,
Given your interest in coding, I'd highly recommend exploring User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design. I majored in graphic design for advertising and journalism and then transitioned into UX/UI design. It has allowed me to blend strategic thinking with visual design. While knowing how to code is not imperative, having that technical foundation is a massive asset when collaborating with developers. The creativity in UX is more analytical and solution-oriented than traditional graphic design. This distinction allows me to flex my strategic muscles at work while still creating more artistic design on my own time.
As Wong mentioned, internships are a great way to 'test drive' a career. If I could do it over, I would have aimed for an internship every summer. Starting that process earlier would have given me a clearer sense of the professional landscape before I entered the job market.
Given your interest in coding, I'd highly recommend exploring User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design. I majored in graphic design for advertising and journalism and then transitioned into UX/UI design. It has allowed me to blend strategic thinking with visual design. While knowing how to code is not imperative, having that technical foundation is a massive asset when collaborating with developers. The creativity in UX is more analytical and solution-oriented than traditional graphic design. This distinction allows me to flex my strategic muscles at work while still creating more artistic design on my own time.
As Wong mentioned, internships are a great way to 'test drive' a career. If I could do it over, I would have aimed for an internship every summer. Starting that process earlier would have given me a clearer sense of the professional landscape before I entered the job market.
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
109
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Darwuin,
There are so many variables at play in a job search--including luck. Graphic design is undergoing a major change with the ongoing development of AI, and it's very hard to know how things will shake out. Currently there are fewer jobs than there have been in the past and they don't pay as well as they used to, but that's a reflection of the global economy as much as anything else.
I wish I had a crystal ball and could give you a concrete answer. Proponents say that AI is simply a tool that makes creative people's lives easier, while those on the other side say it will lead to the downfall of civilization. When the internet was released to the public, doomsayers said that print was dead, but the opposite proved to be true.
As a graphic designer trained in analog and early digital processes, I firmly believe that hands-on work is vital to creativity and real innovation. But there are different ways to engage with the various media available to us if we're willing to be open. You can have a creative practice on your own that hones other skills and offers the experience of the joy of making away from a screen as well as a job that requires keeping up with the latest developments, and these ways of working can complement each other.
Candelaria and Wong are spot on about the importance of networking, which is true for almost any profession but even more so for creative ones.
Hope our answers make sense to you and help you navigate your academic path.
Best wishes to you.
There are so many variables at play in a job search--including luck. Graphic design is undergoing a major change with the ongoing development of AI, and it's very hard to know how things will shake out. Currently there are fewer jobs than there have been in the past and they don't pay as well as they used to, but that's a reflection of the global economy as much as anything else.
I wish I had a crystal ball and could give you a concrete answer. Proponents say that AI is simply a tool that makes creative people's lives easier, while those on the other side say it will lead to the downfall of civilization. When the internet was released to the public, doomsayers said that print was dead, but the opposite proved to be true.
As a graphic designer trained in analog and early digital processes, I firmly believe that hands-on work is vital to creativity and real innovation. But there are different ways to engage with the various media available to us if we're willing to be open. You can have a creative practice on your own that hones other skills and offers the experience of the joy of making away from a screen as well as a job that requires keeping up with the latest developments, and these ways of working can complement each other.
Candelaria and Wong are spot on about the importance of networking, which is true for almost any profession but even more so for creative ones.
Hope our answers make sense to you and help you navigate your academic path.
Best wishes to you.
Shivani Vinayak Pednekar
3D designer
1
Answer
Rochester, New York
Updated
Shivani Vinayak’s Answer
Hey, I know you’re thinking about whether graphic design is “easy” to get into, and honestly...it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, the field is full of opportunities because every business, media company, and tech platform needs designers. On the other hand, it’s competitive, especially if you only focus on what’s taught in class or your portfolio is too narrow. A lot of people forget that the work you do outside of school...personal projects, small freelance gigs, volunteer work....can make a huge difference. Those real-world experiences show you can solve problems, work with clients, and adapt your skills, which is what employers really want.
Another thing people often overlook is the balance between technical skills and storytelling. Being able to use Photoshop or Illustrator is expected, but being able to tell a story with your design or make something that connects emotionally? That’s what sets you apart. Your hobbies can actually give you a secret advantage: gaming teaches user experience and interface design, coding opens doors to interactive projects or web design, and reading gives you perspective on communication and narrative flow.
The cons are real: the job market can feel saturated, and AI tools are changing the industry fast. But you can overcome that by staying curious and flexible...experiment with new tools, keep building your portfolio, and don’t be afraid to specialize in something unique. Networking is underrated too; a lot of opportunities come from people knowing your work, not just job listings. Internships, small collaborations, or even reaching out to professionals online can open doors that aren’t advertised.
Bottom line: don’t just rely on classes—treat every project, hobby, and side gig like a portfolio piece. Build your skills, tell stories through your work, and connect with people. That’s how you make a “hard” industry feel a lot more doable.
Another thing people often overlook is the balance between technical skills and storytelling. Being able to use Photoshop or Illustrator is expected, but being able to tell a story with your design or make something that connects emotionally? That’s what sets you apart. Your hobbies can actually give you a secret advantage: gaming teaches user experience and interface design, coding opens doors to interactive projects or web design, and reading gives you perspective on communication and narrative flow.
The cons are real: the job market can feel saturated, and AI tools are changing the industry fast. But you can overcome that by staying curious and flexible...experiment with new tools, keep building your portfolio, and don’t be afraid to specialize in something unique. Networking is underrated too; a lot of opportunities come from people knowing your work, not just job listings. Internships, small collaborations, or even reaching out to professionals online can open doors that aren’t advertised.
Bottom line: don’t just rely on classes—treat every project, hobby, and side gig like a portfolio piece. Build your skills, tell stories through your work, and connect with people. That’s how you make a “hard” industry feel a lot more doable.