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Graphic designers find work in virtually every industry. There is no shortage of need for graphic content, especially in the current online landscape where it’s important to have high-quality images for websites and online properties. Marketing and advertising are certainly industries where graphic designers see a large number of assignments, but they are not the only industries where graphic designers are integral.
A background in graphic design can translate to a long-term career in numerous highly visible fields. There are also fields that you may never have thought of that need graphic designers. When planning a career in graphic design, you might have preconceived ideas about working with advertising or gaming. Those are fields where your skills remain in high demand, but they are far from the only industries where graphic designers shine.
A list detailing every industry where graphic designers can put their skills to use would be quite long and would not be exhaustive. Instead, this article focuses on five “hidden gem” industries that need graphic designers.
A degree in graphic design opens the door to a wide variety of career options. Many graphic designers begin their studies with one particular industry in mind. Then again, some people don’t realize how many possible career paths a degree in graphic design can open. Nearly every industry employs graphic designers, and many graphic artists freelance to serve niche markets and different business types.
You likely know that graphic designers work in marketing, publishing, and web design. What you may not realize is that there are other industries outside the mainstream where graphic designers can find their true calling and flourish.
Here are five industries where a graphic designer can find fulfilling work:
Graphic designers can use their knowledge and experience in the industry to become art teachers and lecturers for other professionals. In many cases, a graphic designer might work in the field for several years and then use their knowledge and experience to help them secure teaching positions at local art schools or community colleges. Some graphic designers desire to teach right from the start and may work toward a teaching degree with a minor in graphic design. Depending on the type of teaching certificate, you might find a position in a high school or college.
Education offers an excellent vocation for those who enjoy working with students, giving lectures, and organizing lesson plans. There is job growth for those in this field, and depending on the level of teaching and school district, tenure and other benefits may apply. For those whose career path is teaching, a background in graphic design can help with creating coursework for students and meeting needs within the school and various organizations. For instance, a creative writing teacher might use their graphic design background to help students design covers and illustrations for their school’s literary magazine.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of postsecondary education is growing at a rate well above average, so there will be more openings for art professors who teach graphic design at the college and university level in the coming years. Entry into this field often needs a bachelor’s degree, as well as experience in the field, at minimum. In some cases, you may need a teaching degree and certification.
User experience, or UX, is a specialty corner of web design. While many web designers also perform UX functions, this niche can develop into an exceptionally rewarding career path for graphic design. It can be difficult to truly understand the user experience for a website that you or your company has designed. It’s far more effective to have a third-party UX designer test and assess the site.
For those with a graphic design background, UX can be an exciting field. You have the skills in design and knowledge of best practices to help assess the user experience of a website. This massive niche continues to flourish. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web design is growing at a much faster rate than other fields. UX will continue to function as an important aspect of web design and customer service.
Many graphic designers contemplate using their degree to design games, but mobile app design uses the same skills — giving the graphic designer yet another career option. Mobile design development has grown over the last several years and will continue to thrive as more and more users access their needs via devices.
Mobile app design includes games for cell phones and apps for businesses. It also includes tools that users need to take care of various aspects of their lives. Graphic designers are in high demand here because mobile apps need to be both agile and user-friendly. The median wage in this field is around $100,000 per year, but that can fluctuate. Mobile app design is a great field of interest that continues to evolve — and new designers will have room to grow in this exciting field.
Graphic designers find ample employment in the government sector. Government jobs offer excellent benefits and the salary is often higher than private sector jobs. There are graphic design positions at every level of government, from small local school districts to federal government positions. Even the CIA hires graphic designers! Some tasks that the graphic design department might work with include letterhead, design imaging, signage, and website design.
Many graphic designers work for the government in a contract capacity. In these cases, the designer or agency works on a project-by-project basis or as a contracted entity. They may also work for other clients at the same time and develop a full business based on their graphic design background. Design companies that work as government contractors may specialize specifically in this field and work for multiple government agencies and bodies.
Packaging and manufacturing are industries that have a huge need for graphic design. Graphic designers often are tasked with creating branding and messaging that will come to identify products for their clients. In the case of packaging, the customer will often identify the entire brand based on the outside design. The graphic design team will choose specific colors, shades, shapes, and typography that build brand recognition for that product. This helps customers find the exact product among many offerings on the shelf.
Manufacturers need graphic designers to aid in selling products and other tasks specific to what they create. For some products, this might include user instructions or a user manual. If, for instance, a manufacturer designed products that had to be put together or installed, they would need a graphic designer to aid in creating the drawings and instructions for their product. Graphic designers also work to create eCommerce sites and catalogs in these industries.
Graphic designers can find meaningful work in virtually every industry. For graphic designers who have separate interests, this can be the best of both worlds, allowing you to combine your interests in a profession that perfectly suits you.
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