What skills a Graphic Designer needs?

The skill of craft and creativity, and ability to use the required softwares

Not only does a graphic designer need creative thinking skills, they must be able to use the current software of the industry. It would probably be best for you to research online to find out more about the field. Looking at your college's degree plan for graphic design would also be helpful to give you an idea of the types of classes you would be taking.

I believe the most important skill for a graphic designer to have is your own creativity. That is something that cannot be bought. But it is something you can obtain throughout experiences you will gain. And of course, the ability to use multiple visual-related software. Specifically, the Adobe Suite Programs. Upon learning the specific skills and which programs you enjoyed using, you should find your passion.

Graphic designers use Illustrator, Photoshop, and Indesign consistently.

Product designers use AutoCAD and SketchUp for their workload.

UI/UX designers write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to showcase their products for user experiences and user interfaces.

Hey Zainab,

Today's graphic designer is really a well rounded creative. Graphic design pretty much crosses over into every visual medium you can imagine. Wayfinding often is connected with interior design and architectural projects, web graphics are created for use on the web, in apps and for digital presentation, merchandising displays require the skills of designers. So while you should understand how to use the tools you're trained in such as AI, PS, ID, you'll want to at least have a handle on tools such as Sketchup, Adobe XD, After Effects and other value add software that helps you move your designs from one format to use in another format such as mobile applications, or CAD.

Besides the technical skills, you should understand the science behind art, such as color theory, 2d and 3d space, as well as cultural influence and references which is background and history that influence visual communications. For example, today's modern punk movement was born out of the punk movement of the late 60s and 70s, both movements stood for rebellion and change, however the aesthetic of the movement can be traced back to the art movement known as DADA, which was a version of anarchist rebellion against then fine arts movement of the day. Knowing things like this influences your creative process and understanding.

Aside from technical skills & historic and cultural knowledge, as the other pros also stated; creative thinking is essential. You need to think beyond the norm. Here's an exercise you can do to help you understand........

100 uses for a brick: can't do 99 and over a hundred is up to you. But you need to figure out 100 uses for a brick and you can't state the same thing twice. An example: One of my designers said "carve it out and make a cell phone case"... this was his 30th idea, long after build a house, which was in his first 10 ideas.

If you are more a visual processor, try 100 uses for a red ball. You have to draw 100 sketches, each sketch must contain a red ball, but you cannot use the ball the same way twice.

Both these exercises are to help the creative process in both getting your mind going and to have you start thinking outside the constraints of what you've been taught.