Essential Insights for Graphic Designers
Preparing for the Future: The Graphic Design Job Market in 2025
The graphic design landscape is evolving rapidly, with employers across various sectors such as tech, retail, PR, small firms, and big corporations seeking candidates who can meet the demands of the digital age. In 2025, the ideal graphic design candidate will possess a blend of advanced technical skills, software proficiency, and strong professional attributes.
Software and Technical Skills
Proficiency in a comprehensive range of design and technical tools is essential. This includes the foundational Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), emerging design software like Sketch, Figma, and motion graphics tools such as After Effects. UX/UI design and web technologies like HTML/CSS are also key, with knowledge of responsive design and prototyping tools.
The growing demand for 3D modeling and AR/VR design capabilities, as well as understanding of branding, typography, color theory, and packaging design, is also important. Proficiency in AI-powered design tools like Adobe Sensei is increasingly valuable as automation and creativity enhancement become mainstream in design workflows.
Professional Attributes and Soft Skills
Beyond technical skills, employers value strong problem-solving capabilities, effective communication and teamwork, and skills in time management, organization, critical thinking, and project management. Creativity, visual storytelling, empathy, client management, and feedback receptivity are also highly prized.
Integrating these soft skills naturally within a candidate’s portfolio and resume helps recruiters assess suitability.
Industry Trends Impacting Candidate Expectations
The use of AI and generative design tools to streamline workflows and enhance creativity, a focus on sustainable and eco-friendly design practices, and the rising importance of 3D design, immersive graphics, and AR experiences are trends that candidates should be aware of.
Candidates who can demonstrate both technical expertise and an awareness of these trends will be more competitive.
The graphic design industry is constantly evolving, and staying updated with new design trends and tools is crucial. The institution's Advisory Board, a group of design industry educators and hiring managers, conducts an annual workplace assessment and program review to ensure programs adapt to changes in the market.
The institution offers online degree and certificate programs in graphic design, and entry-level junior designers typically need 3 years of experience and a degree. Spellcheck and proofreading are essential for cover letters, resumes, and portfolios, and over-designing resumes should be avoided.
In the workplace, it is important to be dependable, make oneself indispensable, and insist on professional development such as workshops and conferences from one's employer. There is a higher demand for social media, video production, social photography, and SEO skills.
Employers often prefer experienced candidates with degrees, but may not offer competitive compensation. A graphic designer's online portfolio should contain at least one large, multi-piece campaign, an advertising campaign, a purely typographic piece, an illustration or photocomposite, a piece involving dimensionality or paper craft, a piece showcasing a specialty or passion, and a piece demonstrating editing skills.
Essential software skills include Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign for graphic design, and HTML, CSS, and XD for web design. Additional software skills such as AfterEffects, Lightroom, and Bootstrap are beneficial.
Employers are looking for graphic design candidates with attention to detail, the ability to get along with others, a willingness to take initiative, a willingness to learn and try new things, strong communication skills, acceptance of feedback, and an awareness of pop culture and trends.
Recommended projects for a portfolio include single page large format designs, advertisements, magazines, photo compositing, basic illustration, basic web pages, social media campaigns, and product design comping. It is recommended to have a Behance, Squarespace, or Adobe Portfolio for an online portfolio, but the format should not hinder the presentation of the material. Web designers should craft their own online portfolios.
A unique, useful leave-behind and a handwritten follow-up thank you note are recommended during the job search and interview process. It is advised to get internships early during school to meet experience requirements.
A graphic design applicant in 2025 should not only be proficient in advanced tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, After Effects, and UX/UI design, but also demonstrate awareness of industry trends such as AI, sustainable design, 3D design, and AR/VR experiences.
Job-searching graphic designers should validate their technical expertise and knowledge of these trends by showcasing a diverse portfolio, attending workshops and conferences, and developing soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. An online portfolio on platforms like Behance, Squarespace, or Adobe Portfolio is recommended, but the format should not distract from the presented material.
