We surveyed 20,622 graphic designers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical graphic designer. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a graphic designer?
Low
High
Working as a graphic designer typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.
Can I learn to become a graphic designer?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a graphic designer typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a graphic designer?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a graphic designer. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for graphic designers.
Do graphic designers work full-time or part-time?
58% of graphic designers work in full-time roles while 42% work part-time.
Is being a graphic designer stressful?
Low
High
Stress is not uncommon amongst graphic designers, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.
Is being organized important as a graphic designer?
Low
High
Some level of organization is generally required to be a graphic designer.
How competitive is the workplace for graphic designers?
Low
High
Graphic designers tend to see lots of competition in the workplace, with desire to get ahead of co-workers being common.
Does being a graphic designer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Graphic designers will see frequent time pressure on the job, likely contributing to an occasionally stressful work environment.
Are graphic designers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Creativity is intrinsic to being a graphic designer, and a highly valuable part of the career.
Do graphic designers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally graphic designers will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.
Is being a graphic designer physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a graphic designers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are graphic designers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
The workload of a graphic designer changes frequently, with their day-to-day rarely being the same.
Does being a graphic designer require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail is a vital skill for graphic designers, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.
Does being a good graphic designer require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as graphic designers.