How to Find Work as a Graphic Designer

If you’re new to the field of graphic design, then it’s important to take some time to get your bearings in the industry.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through where to find graphic design jobs, what separates a junior role from a senior one, and how to work out which path actually suits you.

Is Graphic Design in Demand?

Let’s put some fears to rest right off the bat. Graphic design isn’t dead. Graphic design is absolutely still in demand, even if the market isn’t as friendly as it was a few years ago.

As with many industries, a lot of new graphic design students and graduates are incredibly worried that AI will replace their role but as yet that isn’t what’s happened. In fact, for the most part, AI has simply added to their tool set.

And with an online space that’s absolutely bustling with startups looking to stand out from the crowd, the right portfolio can generate some serious interest.

How to Find Work as a Graphic Designer

When looking for work, your first question should always be “who”. Who is hiring graphic designers? Who do you want to apply for? Who will you be truly passionate about working for?

For that first question, the answer is simple. Almost everyone wants to hire a graphic designer these days because without one their branding will seriously suffer. Retail brands, tech startups, publishers, charities, and even local councils all need someone to handle their visual identity. While some can afford to build an in-house team it’s rare and often far more expensive than it’s worth.

That’s part of why freelance and contract work has become such a huge part of the graphic design industry. In some ways this is good because you can work for more varied clients, you don’t have to put all your eggs in one basket, and you have immense control over your working hours and conditions.

There is a trade off though, and it’s a big one. Freelance heavy industries are always less stable and while there’s certainly a lot of demand for graphic design, the work can ebb and flow drastically.

If job stability is a major worry for you, then your best choice is to find a graphic design agency and work for them. Then at least you won’t be responsible for finding the clients, just doing the work.

In-house roles also offer high stability but they’re incredibly competitive. That said, if you can find one then you’ll gain excellent experience of building a really detailed understanding of one brand.

No matter which route you pick, it’s worth noting that job boards are only so useful. You can find work on them but the best briefs usually don’t make it that far. Design communities, portfolio platforms, and straightforward networking will always win out. Any client willing to spend real money will also put the work in to find a designer that’s right for them.

Sectors matter too, and it’s worth thinking hard about which one actually suits your style before applying. A designer who loves bold, fast paced work might thrive at a startup where the brand is still being figured out but they’ll struggle in a more established setting. Someone who prefers precision and consistency will feel the opposite.

And of course, many graphic designers like to specialise. Music posters and bank logos are both graphic design but for an entirely different audience and purpose. Some designers focus almost entirely on branding and identity work while others do UI, packaging, motion graphics, or editorial layout. It really does depend on your passion, interest, and experience.

Junior Vs Senior Design Roles

As you spend more time in the industry, your actual daily work will shift quite significantly from execution to direction.

A typical job for a junior might involve resizing assets, adjusting templates, or producing social media graphics. What they won’t be doing is setting the overall tone, mood, colour scheme and design influences. That’s the job of the senior.

A senior has to own their work, setting the entire creative vision for the project. They draw on extensive experience to craft something appealing and appropriate for the target demographic. And if the project doesn’t work out, they’re the one who’s held responsible for it.