Graphic designers are design professionals utilized within nearly every industry, as they are responsible for creating layout and designs for publications, company logos and websites. The U.S. Department of Labor states that graphic designers are typically required to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field; however, some employers may hire graphic designers with a two-year associate’s degree or several years of work experience. As of June 2011, the average salary for a graphic designer is $42,400 per year.

Designing According to Client Needs

One of the main goals and objectives of a graphic designer is to design a project based on the individual needs of a client. Prior to beginning the design phase of a project, a graphic designer speaks with a client to determine a project's overall goal, purpose and desired appearance. The U.S. Department of Labor says a graphic designer must utilize his skills to determine physical, cultural and cognitive factors when designing a project to ensure a positive response for the target audience.

Graphic Illustration

Graphic designers must provide illustrations for the client throughout the designing phase. This may be done through computer software programs or by hand. These illustrations provide clients with detailed visual information regarding the development of the design. Throughout the illustration process, graphic designers must choose font styles, artwork, color schemes and other elements for a project.

Meeting Deadlines

Perhaps the most important objective for a graphic designer is to meet deadlines established by the client. This is especially important for graphic designers working on newsletters, magazines, newspapers and other time-sensitive projects. As a graphic designer, you must have a solid understanding of the amount of time it will take to successfully complete a project, and include enough extra time for any requested revisions from the client.

Maintaining Budget

Graphic designers must work within the budget established by the client. This ties into time-management skills, as a graphic designer must successfully complete a project within the time frame and budget set forth by the client. Missing a deadline may mean going over budget. If the graphic designer is responsible for a team of designers, he must oversee the daily progress of all projects and respond quickly to revision requests.