A graphic designer job description is an internal HR document that describes the position’s requirements and responsibilities. When done correctly, you can quickly turn it into a job ad. Because a graphic designer plays a central role in shaping the visual identity of a brand, it is important to outline the specific skills and qualifications required for the position.
Begin by listing the position details and provide an overview of what the role entails. Then, emphasize their responsibility to create branded graphics for marketing materials, websites, social media platforms, and other promotional channels. The job description should also mention any preferred qualifications or experience necessary for success in the role.
To help you get started, we’ve created a graphic designer job description template you can download and modify to fit your needs.
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Step 1: List Position Details
The first part of your job description of a graphic designer should outline the information specific to the role. You can list the following information at the top of the document, either in a box or as a list:
- Title: This is the full job title for this position, e.g., production artist, brand designer, UX designer, or web developer
- Department: Mention the department for this position, e.g., Marketing, Advertising, or Communications
- Classification: Note the type of employee (i.e., full time, part time, seasonal) and whether it is exempt or nonexempt
- Compensation: Indicate the annual salary or hourly wage range
- Reports To: List the job title this position reports to (don’t list the actual name of the person as that can change)
- Direct Reports: This is essential to know whether you need to provide this position with managerial and compliance training—a simple “Yes” or “No” will suffice
Check out our step-by-step guide on how to hire a graphic designer to learn more about the hiring process beyond creating a job description.
Step 2: Indicate Job Requirements & Responsibilities
Your graphic designer job requirements should be concise but detailed enough to convey job specifics. That means you have to know what your company needs. Do you need a generalized graphic designer who can do product design and branding? Or do you need someone specialized to do highly technical website design?
List the graphic designer’s responsibilities. While these may change over time, you’ll want to provide a general overview of what this position should do day-to-day.
Graphic Designer Responsibilities
These creative professionals are responsible for bringing ideas to life through captivating visuals that effectively communicate messages. From designing logos, brochures, and websites to creating eye-catching advertisements and social media graphics, graphic designers play a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of your company brand.
Some graphic designer responsibilities to include in your job description are:
- Must quickly and thoroughly understand company branding, audience, and messaging techniques
- Study design briefs and plan and illustrate concepts for publication
- Schedule projects and work within budget
- Prepare drafts of designs, present ideas, and make changes as necessary
- Develop illustrations, logos, and other visual designs
- Work with copywriting team to produce final design
- Ensure final graphic design is appealing and on-brand
Step 3: List Preferred Skills & Qualifications
When it comes to hiring the right graphic designer for your company, it is vital to have a clear understanding of the preferred skills and qualifications that you are looking for. By including these in the job description, you can attract candidates who possess the necessary expertise and experience.
Graphic Designer Requirements
A graphic designer must possess the ability to create visually appealing and impactful designs that effectively communicate the intended message. In addition to artistic skills, proficiency in graphics software is crucial.
At a minimum, you’ll want to include the following graphic designer skills requirements in your job description:
- At least [X] number of years of experience as a graphic designer
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in graphic design or visual arts
- A strong portfolio of relevant work experience
- Effective communication and time management skills
- Understanding of basic marketing concepts, website design standards, and branding best practices
- Expertise with graphics editors and software, such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator
- A keen eye for aesthetics and details
Step 4: Mention Company Culture
In this brief section, showcase the details of your company culture and what makes it stand out from your competition. This information may be interwoven within the entirety of the job description or provided as a separate section. Ultimately, you may choose to list a few bullet points of key items that make your culture unique.
When transitioning your job description to a job posting, many companies miss out on potential candidates because they only discuss the job but not the culture. In today’s work environment, workers want to join a company where they fit in, have a shared goal, and work with enjoyable people. If you leave out any mention of your company culture, potential applicants may assume you have a poor work environment and not apply.
Mention the tools and software you use, career advancement or training and development opportunities, self-care initiatives, and the work-life balance your company strives to achieve for all workers. These are the things potential employees want to know.
Step 5: Identify Compensation & Benefits
A graphic designer job description should include compensation information. Have a budget in mind and include a target point or a range at the top of your job description. Note that the average hourly pay rate for a graphic designer is about $21 per hour, per Indeed; however, the rate depends on location and experience.
Compliance Tip: If your company hires in certain states, you may be required to put your target salary range in the public or internal job posting. Check your state laws.
You can make a separate section for your benefits, but you can also simply list them as bullet points to save space. Include healthcare benefits, retirement options, time off, and other unique ones your company offers.
Step 6: Include Instructions on How to Apply
When writing your graphic designer job description, adding information on how to apply will save you time when you convert it to a job ad. Some companies prefer to receive direct emails from applicants, while others use an internal website or Google Forms.
You can also choose to use a third-party job board. This can help reduce the time you spend reviewing unqualified applicants, as it will require them to answer certain questions—and if their answers aren’t aligned with what you’re looking for, you won’t see those candidates. Whatever your company practices, include that information, so it’s ready to go when you post the job.
Need help with hiring? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to hire an employee.
Graphic Designer Job Description Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A graphic designer should possess strong creativity and an eye for detail. They should be able to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas that effectively communicate the desired message. Expertise in industry-standard design software is essential. Additionally, they should understand color theory, typography principles, and composition techniques.
The job of a graphic designer is to create visual concepts that communicate ideas and captivate audiences. They should be skilled in using various design tools and software to produce eye-catching images, logos, illustrations, and layouts for both print and digital media.
The required degree for a graphic designer is dependent upon the position level. For example, a junior graphic designer may only need a high school diploma with equivalent experience, whereas a more senior graphic designer may require a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Bottom Line
A graphic designer job description serves to clarify the job duties, experience, and education required while selling your company culture and benefits to prospective hires. You can easily and quickly turn this job description into a job ad to help you hire the right graphic designer for your company.
