OVERVIEW
What Is a Visual Designer?
A visual designer is a professional trained in graphic and digital design whose skills are used for enhancing the look and feel of a given product or asset. Visual designers typically create and implement images, icons, infographics, video, and other interface elements that work together to serve a user. These designers may be involved with a range of artistic projects, marketing campaigns, or both.
Some visual designers can be characterized as artists, devoting themselves to digital artwork, video games, TV shows, and films. Others help to develop an organization’s message or a business’s brand through their work on websites, mobile apps, online databases, productivity management software, and more. This guide focuses on the latter type.
Visual designers often work alongside and collaborate with user experience (UX) designers, video editors, content writers, product designers, and other relevant marketing experts.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Visual Designer Do?
Most visual designers either work as part of a design team or freelance for different companies or agencies. Whatever the job format may be, once an asset is coded and built by software or web developers, visual designers optimize and polish it through various design principles.
First, a designer uses specific software to create a concept. Then, they flesh it out via a wireframe or mockup—a working model of what the final design will be. Design concepts could include anything from logo typography and color to animated banner ads. Visual designers may strategize with other stakeholders to ideate and enhance the model before it is fully implemented.
Common job duties of visual designers include the following:
- Researching popular and emerging trends in visual and UX design.
- Using digital design tools like Sketch, Figma, and Adobe Creative Suite (including XD, Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator).
- Briefing with clients regarding the details of design-oriented projects.
- Complying with brand guidelines for consistency.
- Experimenting with and modifying visual elements.
- Pitching and presenting ideas to other designers and marketing leaders.
- Communicating with web and product developers on asset timelines.
- Staying up to date on best design practices.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Visual Designer?
While some visual designers enter the workforce with only industry certification or an associate degree, most earn an undergraduate degree relevant to their career. Be sure to set specific professional goals and then seek the education that will help you achieve those goals.
Consider the following steps as you prepare to become a visual designer:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s program in graphic or web design, UX design, or a similar subject can teach you the foundational skills you’ll come to rely on. Earning a master’s degree in a relevant field may not be mandatory but could increase your earning potential.
- Develop a strong portfolio. Many creative professionals—including visual designers—benefit from building a portfolio that showcases a wide variety of design work. A robust portfolio can help set you apart from competition in the job market.
- Gain relevant work experience. Entry- or mid-level digital design roles can give you a good sense of what a day in the life of a visual designer looks like.
- Get certified. An industry certification can grant you deeper, more specialized knowledge of visual design. Certs like the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) and Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) could be great boons for your career.
- Seek career-long improvement. For example, you might participate in a visual design bootcamp or attend a conference for professional designers.
Best Degrees for a Visual Designer
Business
User Experience Design – B.S.
An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become...
An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become business-savvy designers that can generate best-in-class, customer-centric products and services.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Wireframing and Prototyping
- Artificial Intelligence
- Accessible Design
- Figma Design Software
- UI/UX Research
- User Testing
- Adobe Express
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
How Much Does a Visual Designer Make?
$98,540
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for web and digital designers in May 2023 was $98,540. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,210 while the highest 10% earned more than $176,490. Visual designers can expect to make similar earnings.
What Is the Job Outlook?
16%
The BLS states that employment of web and digital designers is projected to grow by 16% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Visual designers can expect a similar job outlook.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Visual Designer Need?
Visual designers should develop and practice both hard and soft skills to succeed in their role. These skills may include the following:
- Knowledge of visual design principles. Visual designer jobs require a solid understanding of basic design principles, including photo and video editing, proper usage of colors and lines, and visual hierarchy.
- Problem-solving. Thinking critically and creatively can help visual designers overcome obstacles in their work.
- Project management. Visual designers should be able to handle multiple tasks and projects at once.
- Writing and communication. Visual designers need to communicate often with team members, managers, and other stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
- Familiarity with marketing. An understanding of essential marketing principles can help visual designers adopt a user-centered approach.
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