Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

The Work

Graphic designers convey a message or create an effect by visual means, using illustration, typography and/or photography. They generally work on two-dimensional designs, creating ideas for book covers, CD covers, posters, stationery, Internet websites and captions for television. However, graphic design also incorporates three-dimensional work in the form of product packaging, exhibitions and displays.  
 
In the advertising industry, graphic designers work with copywriters, who produce advertising text. They design posters, newspaper, magasine and television advertisements, and the layout for publicity materials and mailshotsDesigners need to understand typography in order to give clear instructions as to the type and sise of print to be used, as well as spacing necessary for illustrations.  
 
In the publishing industry, designers produce layouts, illustrate text, and design covers of books and magasines. They also work on the general design of the publications. They prepare rough sketches and layouts, experimenting with different ideas. Dummy pages are produced, and discussed with the client, printer and typesetter  
 
In the television, video and film industry, designers produce credit sequences at the beginning and end of a programme, and create logos, cartoons and illustrations for sports and news items. Sometimes their work extends to the design of props such as foreign currency, charts and special effects.  
 
Computer graphics is an aspect of graphic design that has expanded rapidly in recent years. Designers use graphics software packages to create visual images. Examples of computer graphics' applications include the production of audiovisual slides, the improvement of the quality of animated film, the digital manipulation of photographs, desktop publishing, illustration and website design.  
 
In technical graphics, designers prepare plans and drawings from a written brief, for use by scientists, engineers and architects. This requires accuracy and attention to detail, but offers less scope for creativity

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Determine sise and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and sise of type.
• Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
• Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
• Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
• Use computer software to generate new images.
• Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
• Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
• Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
• Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
• Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.

Further Information

• Graphic Designer - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Graphic Designer - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Graphic Designers must have drawing skills and a high level of computer literacy, as well as a creative mind. As work will usually be highly collaborative excellent communication skills will also be necessary.

A degree in graphic design or other art and design-based subject is important, while you may find entry level positions with a degree that is not directly related one with some visual arts element will be a significant asset.

Also vital is a working knowledge of design software, such as Illustrator or InDesign or the image editor Photoshop. Some positions may require experience with a specific software. Experience with these kinds of programs may be gained through further or higher education, but there also a wide variety of employment or online courses available, as well as tools to assist self-study. You should develop a portfolio of your work to support your applications.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Digital media Design at NFQ Level 5 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Art Graphic design, Graphic design at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Animator Apprenticeships NFQ level 9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Art, Media, Graphic design NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Graphic, Digital media, Art & design NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €65k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
CPL/ Morgan McKinley /Prosperity.ie/ Sigmar/ Lincoln/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Screen Ireland

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• Institute of Designers in Ireland

  • The Digital Hub, Roe Lane, Thomas St., Dublin 8
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here