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Creative

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers turn ideas into visual designs for logos, marketing, packaging, websites and publications. A degree is not mandatory — a strong portfolio and relevant experience are important.

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Career fit

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Entry level
£25,000 (starter)
Mid-career (typical)
£25k – £40k
Senior / lead
£40,000 (experienced)
What you'll do

A day in the life

  • Discuss briefs with clients or colleagues
  • Create logos, layouts and graphics
  • Use Adobe tools such as Illustrator and InDesign
  • Prepare files for print and digital
  • Revise designs based on feedback
The path

Your career roadmap

Every milestone from school to senior. Track progress as you complete each stage.

  1. 1

    GCSEs

    education
    Usually 2 years at school; adult routes vary

    Build foundations in English, maths and creative subjects, with art or design helpful for developing visual skills.

  2. 2

    A Levels or equivalent

    education
    Usually 2 years; Access courses often 1 year

    Study A levels or an equivalent creative qualification while building a portfolio for graphic design degree applications.

  3. 3

    Graphic Design / Art & Design degree

    qualification
    Usually 3 years full-time; often 4 in Scotland or with a placement

    Study typography, branding, layout and digital design through practical briefs, critiques and independent projects.

  4. 4

    Portfolio development

    experience
    Ongoing during your degree and career

    Develop and refine a portfolio throughout your degree, showing strong concepts, design process and polished work across relevant media.

  5. 5

    Work experience / placement

    experience
    A few weeks to 12 months

    Gain practical experience during or after your degree, responding to real briefs and working with designers, clients and production teams.

  6. 6

    Junior Graphic Designer

    role
    Often 1–3 years; progression varies

    Produce layouts, brand assets and digital graphics under guidance, applying feedback and preparing files for delivery.

  7. 7

    Graphic Designer

    role
    Often several years; progression varies

    Manage design projects more independently, developing concepts, presenting ideas and delivering consistent work across print and digital channels.

  8. 8

    Senior Designer / Creative Director

    role
    Usually follows several years of professional experience

    Lead complex design projects and mentor colleagues as a senior designer; creative directors usually take broader responsibility for creative strategy and teams.

What you need

Skills you'll build

Qualifications
  • Art & design or graphic design qualification (optional)
Certifications
  • Adobe Certified Professional