How to become a graphic designer

November 26th, 2022 Design Careers

With the advance of technology, as well as developments in remote learning techniques, careers in graphic design have never been more attainable. While going to university and completing a three or four year degree course in design can help to kickstart your career, it is no longer the only way to gain the set of skills needed to thrive. But what do these alternative career paths look like?

In this guide, we explore the world of professional graphic design here in the UK. This will include a quick summary of what it means to be a graphic designer, before focusing on the ways ambitious individuals can get into this industry. To do this we will look not only at the qualifications prospective designers may want to gain, but also the practical experience they can put together. Finally, we will look specifically at the worth of specialist online graphic design diploma courses, focusing on the key benefits of these flexible options.

What is a graphic designer?

As the name suggests, graphic designers create graphics and visuals to help communicate the ideas of their client or employer. From designing advertising and marketing materials to creating aesthetically pleasing websites, logos and campaign assets, these skilled professionals require a great deal of natural creativity and technical skill.

Typically, the primary job of a graphic designer is to improve the brand visibility and prominence of their business (or the company that has hired them) through visual means. Through the clever use of images, video, and text – shared via a range of different media platforms – brand identity can be built. Whether employed in-house by one business or working on a number of different projects through agency or freelance work, graphic designers may be asked to work on anything from brand colour schemes and logos to website design, photography, and animation.

With such a variation, it’s common for graphic designers to collaborate with other specialist designers, such as multimedia animators, web designers, and digital marketing specialists. They may also work with copywriters and other content creators.

How much do graphic designers make?

The average graphic designer makes £23,760 per year in the UK. Entry level positions, usually filled by those with little experience and/or no qualifications, tend to start at around £19,000 per year. On the other hand, experienced and more qualified graphic designers can expect to earn close to £30,000 a year. Of course, these salaries will depend on the location you are operating in and how experienced you are. It’s also worth noting that graphic designers that choose to specialise after gaining general experience can earn substantially more. For example, designers that specialise in web design, or those who focus particularly on advertising design, may command larger annual salaries.

The graph below charts the average pay/experience curve for this profession.

How much is the graphic design industry worth?

According to industry researchers IBISWorld, the global graphic design market is currently worth $43.4 billion. Although slightly down from pre-COVID-19 levels, this market appears to be growing once again.

How to get into graphic design

As with any design-based profession, there are traditionally two areas to focus on when looking to launch a career in graphic design. The first is the specific design qualifications and training you may want to gain either before or while you’re looking for work. We will look at these in detail below. The second area to focus on is the experience you can gather and the portfolio of previous work you can start to collate.

Regardless of qualifications or past experience, anyone seriously interested in a career in graphic design should apply for work experience placements with established agencies and start their own portfolio of work. This can be a great way to get a foot in the door of this competitive industry.

Of course, while some technical qualifications are required by some employers, plenty of graphic designers have built successful careers without formal training. However, in order to do this, you must be able to show samples of your work to potential clients/employers in the way of a strong portfolio of previous work. As a prospective graphic designer, this means putting together a physical collection of work you have completed. This can include work done while on placement, during training courses, or even samples from practice briefs you have set yourself to fulfil. Without qualifications, only through showing past examples of your work can you demonstrate to employers and clients what you are capable of.

What qualifications do you need to be a graphic designer?

Like practically all design-based careers, you are not required to gain any qualification or undertake any formal training to become a graphic designer. However, that doesn’t mean qualifications don’t help. As is the case with many professions, prospective graphic designers who can point to a relevant qualification on their CV may find it easier to find a job in this industry.

There are a number of qualifications you may consider if a career in graphic design appeals to you. For example, you can opt for a full or part-time university degree in graphic design that will typically take between three and four years to complete. With improvements in remote learning techniques, if university is not for you, you can also now consider taking online distance learning courses in this field. ICI’s graphic design & desktop publishing course, for example, can be completed in just 31 weeks, awarding you with a diploma in this subject.

As with university programmes, ICI’s online course is broken down into different units of study. These cover everything from basic design theory and typography to advanced digital illustration and desktop publishing.

Whether you opt for a university or college course, or a flexible online diploma in graphic design, you will be introduced to a range of vital skills you need to make it in this industry. That is to say, as well as the technical skill-based learning needed to develop as a designer, you will also be taught essential soft skills, such as relevant critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills. These are often the skills lacking in graphic designers who opted not to gain a qualification before finding work.

Can you get a diploma in graphic design?

Yes – diplomas and advanced diplomas in graphic design are a popular option in the UK. As long as you choose a reputable course provider (such as ICI) and are prepared to put in the hard work to gain your qualification, diplomas are a fantastic option if you want to start a career in this field. These courses can also provide a more flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional university or college degree programmes.

by Gladys Mae

Gladys Mae served as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute (ICI) from 2010 to 2025. A graduate of the University of San Jose - Recoletos with a degree in Mass Communication (Broadcast Media), she brought exceptional communication and organisational strengths to the role. During her 15-year tenure at ICI, Gladys provided decisive leadership, ensured high-quality student support, and played a pivotal role in shaping a positive learning experience for thousands of students. Before joining ICI, Gladys built a diverse professional background through key positions in the banking and business process outsourcing sectors, giving her a strong foundation in customer service, operations management, and team leadership.