What Can I Do With a Major in Graphic Design?

A Graphic Art Major hones your talent and prepares you to work in a long list of media, from digital to print to film.

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Graphic designers—or graphic artists—plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They find the most effective way to get messages across in print, electronic, and film media using various methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques. 

Graphic designers develop the overall layout and production design of magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications. They also produce promotional displays, packaging, and marketing brochures for products and services, design distinctive logos for products and businesses, and develop signs and signage systems—called environmental graphics—for businesses and government. 

Many graphic designers also develop material for Internet Web pages, interactive media, and multimedia projects. Graphic designers also may produce the credits that appear before and after television programs and movies.

Sources: University of Delaware, Ashland University, quintcareers.com

Career Options, Employers, and Transferable Skills

*Some may require further education or specialization.

Advertising Account Manager
Advertising Agency Coordinator
Animator
Apparel Designer
Art Appraiser
Art Director
Art Restorer
Art Teacher/Professor
Brand Identity Designer
Cartoonist
Catalog Page Designer
CD/Record Cover Designer
Cinematographer
Commercial Designer
Communication Specialist
Corporate Designer
Costume Designer
Custom Decorator
Design Assistant
Desktop Publishing Artist
Exhibit Designer
Graphic Designer
Illustrator
Industrial Designer
Interior Designer
Layout Artist
Logo Designer
Magazine Designer
Multimedia Designer
Multimedia Systems Analyst
Package Designer
Photographer
Printing Press Operator
Retail Visual Merchandising
Sales Representative
Textile Designer
Toy Designer
TV Graphic Designer
Video Game Designer
Video Technician
Visual Merchandiser
Web Designer

Advertising Firms
Apparel Manufacturers/Textile Mills
Architecture/Engineering Firms
Art Galleries
Art Publications
Colleges/Universities
Community Service Agencies
Consulting Organizations
Consumer Products Firms
Corporate Communications
Craft Guilds
Cultural Organizations
Federal, State and Local Government
Historical Societies
Independent Production Companies
Libraries
Media Organizations
Museums
Photo Agencies & Studios
Private Schools - National
Private Schools - International
Public Relations/Advertising Firms
Publishing Houses
Retail Stores

Paints, draws, crafts, sculpts, and creative design

Possesses proficiency for accurate detail

Concentrates for long periods

Has an aptitude for spatial relationships

Meets deadlines

Recognizes differences in shapes, shading, and color

Makes critical observations and appropriate decisions

Communicates ideas and emotions creatively

Decision-making and problem-solving

Uses logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems

Weighs out the options in a situation or a problem and logically chooses the best course of action

Allocates and budgets time for different tasks so things get done when needed

Identifies a problem, reviews related information, develops and evaluates options, and implements a solution

Understands complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports

Uses logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems

Experiential Learning

  • Designing logos and publications for a graphic arts firm
  • Assisting an interior designer with plans for a retail store
  • Teaching students in a summer art enrichment program

Professional Associations

Enhancing Your Employability

Here are ways to improve your job prospects:

  • Join relevant student organizations to develop leadership skills.
  • Participate in internships and field experience placements.
  • Become active in alumni and/or mentor networks.
  • Plan on a graduate degree for advancement.
  • Take part in mock interview opportunities.

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