If you enjoy being creative and working with computers, then graphic design might be the right career choice for you. Graphic design is both a creative and technical endeavor that requires a balanced mix of inspiration and analytical thinking skills.¹

Is being a graphic designer hard? Like any career field, there are aspects of graphic design that can prove challenging. However, if you love what you do, you can prepare to take on the challenges of this career field with a graphic design degree. 

In This Article: 

• Should You Pursue a Degree in Graphic Design?
• How To Gain Practical Experience While Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design 
• Graphic Design Salary Expectations 
• Career Opportunities 
• Working With Clients After Earning a Graphic Design Degree 
• Maintaining Your Creativity and Staying Inspired
• Is Graphic Design a Good Career For You? 
• Earn Your Design Degree at GCU

A graphic design bachelor’s degree is designed to provide a gradual introduction to the subject. As you work through the curriculum, you will have opportunities to build upon your knowledge and skills, becoming more familiar with graphic design principles and practices. The curriculum is sequential, so you will not have to worry about suddenly working on assignments that are completely out of your depth.

However, you’ll need to invest plenty of time and effort into your bachelor’s degree in graphic design program. You will examine theories and fundamentals of design, including visual skills such as the use of color, layout, composition and proportion. 

Plan to spend extra time practicing your skills to excel in your studies. You may want to seek out additional learning opportunities in your field. For example, look for the online portfolios of professional graphic designers and take notes about what works and what doesn’t work. You may also want to listen to podcasts for graphic designers to develop a better understanding of best practices and industry expectations. 

Of course, you’ll also want to spend time building your own professional portfolio, as you’ll be able to show this to potential employers when it’s time to look for a job. You can include completed class assignments in your portfolio and you should do some extra work on your own using the same software you use in class (for example, Adobe Creative Cloud). Try to include technically difficult pieces in your portfolio and be sure to include a mix of different types of projects.

For each piece you include, write a brief case study of the project. Explain what the objectives were, what steps you took and what you feel the results demonstrate.

For the best practical experience look for an internship after your second year of classes. Companies of all sizes need your skills. Set up alerts for “graphic design internship” on the major job search websites so new job postings come directly to your inbox. And share your skills through your personal extended family and friends relationships. Many jobs are filled with friends of friends, so be brave and share what you know with them.

Is graphic design a good career to consider pursuing? Only you can answer this question, but before you do, you may wish to consider the typical salary expectations of a graphic designer.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual pay for graphic designers as of May 2023 was $58,910.² Note that salary can vary depending on employer, geographic location, qualifications, years of experience and other factors.

As you work through your degree program and approach graduation, you’ll want to start thinking about your employment prospects. If you completed an internship, then you may wish to look for open positions at that company, for example.

Graphic designers are found in a variety of work environments, including:³ 

• Advertising and public relations agencies 
• Specialized design services companies 
• Printing companies 
• In-house design departments for companies

In addition, many experienced graphic designers are self-employed freelancers.³ Freelancing can be exciting, as you’ll have the opportunity to be your own boss. However, you’ll also be responsible for finding your own clients, dealing with contracts and managing other aspects of your business, so carefully consider your options before proceeding.

Throughout your career, it’s important to seek out professional development opportunities. Look for chances to train on new graphic design software and experiment with different types of projects.

You’ll also want to work on refining the following important skills:¹ 

• Creativity and artistry 
• Analytical thinking 
• Communication and collaboration 
• Technical skills 
• Time management 
• Social media content creation 
• AI and new technology skills

All graphic design projects start with a meeting between you and your client to outline the business goals and strategy. As a designer, it is your job to research these business goals and the competitive environment, then develop a proposal which is reviewed by the client and then adjusted as needed before moving into the production of the project. Clients are your partner and professional communication, timeliness and efficiency are all expected in this partnership.

In the graphic design field, professionals may encounter the following challenges: 

• Clients who prefer designs that go against the established graphic design principles 
• Clients who provide unclear, vague instructions 
• Clients who change their mind about their preferences after the project is already completed 
• Clients who want big things on a small budget

These issues are certainly frustrating. However, there are effective solutions for all of them. It’s important to ask plenty of questions upfront so you can fully understand what the client wants. When a client requests designs that violate established graphic design principles and theories, you may need to remind yourself that the client is always right. Consider providing mockups of a design that meets the client’s specifications as well as one that follows conventional standards. Regarding the last challenge, if you’re a freelance graphic designer, you can include fees for project revisions in your standard pricing structure.

Most individuals who pursue a graphic design degree do so because they enjoy expressing their creativity. New challenges and inspiration can be found by staying plugged in to your creative community. Becoming a member of a professional organization, participating in the events they provide and networking with people who share your same interests can give you the support system you need. Building and sustaining a personal network of creative individuals needs to be a priority for every graphic designer.

If you enjoy being creative, it certainly can be a great choice if you have a knack for design creativity and technical skills, and if you’re passionate about the process of graphic design.

Graphic designers make content that lands as pixels on your television, computer and phone screens, and lands as ink on paper in your mailbox, the stores you shop in, and the billboards and signs you see around your community. Imagine a world where the items on the grocery store shelves had no colorful packaging or information, no displays, no advertisements, no social media feeds. The world would be a very generic experience. Graphic designers bring the visual interest and excitement to all the places of your life, and is a career that can carry you through your life.

Blend your passion with purpose and prepare for a career with a graphic design degree from Grand Canyon University. The Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Graphic Design is a degree program that teaches you graphic design skills as well as copywriting skills, with the goal of helping you to become a competitive, well-rounded job applicant.