Career Trends: Graphic Designers

Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.

Many of these workers are employed in specialized design services, publishing, or advertising, public relations, and related services industries. In 2014, about 1 in 5 graphic designers were self-employed.

Graphic designers usually need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field. Candidates for graphic design positions should demonstrate their creativity and originality through a professional portfolio that features their best designs.

Employment of graphic designers is projected to show little or no change from 2014 to 2024. Graphic designers are expected to face strong competition for available positions.

This occupation supported 259,500 jobs in 2012 and 261,600 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 0.8%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 6.7% in 2022 to 276,900 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 262,900, compared with an observed value of 261,600, 0.5% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 1.4% in 2024 to 265,200 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 280,300 jobs for 2024, 5.7% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.