Graphic designers are the ‘artists’ of the communication world. They have a unique ability to use text and illustrations to create visual compositions, bring a concept to life, and, in terms of a client’s needs, solve problems! If you’re considering a career in graphic design, here are seven good reasons to commit.

1. Unleash Your Creativity

When every project is a new creative challenge, it’s difficult to get bored. As a graphic designer, you’ll be able to express yourself visually every day to solve design problems.

2. Work Across Industries

As a graphic designer, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing an industry. From tech to fashion, education, entertainment, and non-profits, you’re in demand everywhere.

3. High Demand & Earning Potential

Businesses increasingly rely on strong visuals, so you’ll hit peak earning potential whether you freelance or pursue full-time opportunities in the industry.

4. Flexibility & Freelancing

Many graphic designers work remotely or freelance on their own terms, so you can enjoy work-life balance and worldwide opportunities.

5. Shape the Way People See the World

The opportunity to influence perceptions, decisions and culture through your visual art is hard to resist.

Influence perceptions, decisions, and culture through visual storytelling.

6. Always Evolving

If you’re a lifelong learner, a career as a graphic designer is ideal for you. Why? Because technology, trends, and tools are constantly evolving.

7. You Don’t Need a Design Degree to Start

If you don’t want to pursue higher education at a university, you can still be a qualified graphic designer. In fact, many successful designers began with online courses and self-study. The most important factors for success are skill, passion, and your portfolio!

 

Many graphic designers enjoy freelancing careers, whether it’s with an organisation’s or ad agency’s in-house design team or running their own business. Graphic design skills are also in demand, which is illustrated by both job growth and potential salaries. The number of graphic designers in Australia is expected to increase strongly, earning average salaries of around $54,000 (and rising!) according to PayScale.

 

Looking for more inspiration to pursue a career as a graphic designer? Look no further than these ten graphic design icons!

10 Famous Graphic Designers

 What we know as graphic design today essentially began after the invention of the printing press in the 1400s (although visual communications date back to caveman times!) Millions of people around the world practise modern-day graphic design. But some have genuinely left their design footprint and still impact the industry today. These are the innovators, risk-takers, and impact-makers who will inspire your future graphic design career! (And they’re in alpha order, so you can make your own decision about who your favourite is).

#1 – Ruth Ansel (born 1938)

An American graphic designer and one of two art directors at Harper’s Bazaar, Ansel was also the first female art director of Vanity Fair, Vogue and House & Garden – and all in the one lifetime! She has also produced fashion campaigns for Versace and Karl Lagerfeld and worked with artsy greats, including Andy Warhol and Annie Leibovitz.

#2 – Saul Bass (1920 – 1996)

Bass distinguished himself as a designer in Hollywood by implementing kinetic typography (the animation of text) into the titles and credits of movies, including Psycho, Vertigo, and The Shining. Not impressive enough? He also created the original logos for American brands Kleenex, Girl Scouts and Quaker Oats.

#3 – Carolyn Davidson (born 1943)

When studying graphic design, Davison was approached by Nike founder Phil Knight to design a logo that ‘had something to do with movement’. The result was one of the most iconic logos of all time – the Nike ‘swoosh’. And despite her being paid only $35, it proves that you don’t have to be a famous designer to create priceless artwork!

#4 – Milton Glaser (born 1929)

The founder of New York Magazine, Glaser, was the first graphic designer to be awarded the highest honour for artists in the US – the National Medal of the Arts. His art is featured in the Museum of Modern Art, and probably his most famous achievement was the design of the I ❤ NY logo – which he created in the back of a taxi!

#5 – Chip Kidd (born 1964)

Best known for his book cover designs (over 75 of them!), Kidd is the art director for Random House publishing and has produced work for writers including Dean Koontz. Author Oliver Sacks even has a contract clause stating that Kidd be the exclusive designer for all of his book covers.

#6 – Max Miedinger (1910 – 1980)

If you’re a typeface fan, then you’ll know all about Swiss Style graphic design, which focuses on readability, cleanliness and visual hierarchy. Meidinger is most famous for being the creator of the Swiss-style Neue Haas Grotesk in 1957. Not ringing any bells? It was renamed Helvetica in 1960, and it’s now one of the most well-known typefaces in the world.

#7 – Kate Moross (born 1986)

A London-based art director, Moross has a list of impressive clients including Vogue, Nike and Ray-Ban – and she’s only in her early 30’s! In 2012, she founded her own studio, which has since expanded to include not just branding but also music videos. She is a frequent lecturer, offering advice on how to make it in the competitive design world.

#8 – Morag Myerscough (born 1963)

Myerscough’s work is predominantly based around environmental graphic design – pop-up pieces that make spaces colourful, exciting and thought-provoking. For 30 years, she has designed three-dimensional works that make people feel a sense of belonging, and her work can be seen around the UK – from exhibitions to offices and schools

#9 – Paul Rand (1914 – 1996)

Often called the ‘father’ of graphic design, Rand published a book titled Thoughts on Design in 1947, which contained theories that have shaped the graphic design world as we know it today. He has designed logos for Westinghouse and IBM, and he pioneered the Swiss Style graphic design movement favoured by Max Miedinger (see above).

#10 – Alex Trochut (born 1981)

Typography has two essential elements – the word the characters spell and the image the characters make. For Trouchut, the image comes first, and he draws his inspiration from fashion, street, and pop culture. His CV is impressive as well, with clients including Audi, Adobe, Apple, MAC and MasterCard.

 

Why Study Graphic Design?

A graphic design course will give you skills to create a myriad of creative pieces across a range of commercial disciplines, from printed material like brochures and branding elements like logos, to multimedia elements like animation and videos. And the job roles can be as varied as your creations themselves! Skilled graphic designers can work in a variety of industries, including:

• Advertising
• Marketing
• UX/UI
• Web design
• Exhibition design
• Product development
• Multimedia art and animation
• Landscaping
• Interior design
• Building design

Certificate of Graphic Design

The Certificate of Graphic Design is a professional development course that provides a foundational understanding of design principles, tools, and applications in various industries. You learn about the evolution of design, its impact on marketing and branding, and essential topics such as composition, colour theory, typography, image editing, vector illustration, and print layout. You’ll also explore ethical considerations like copyright and branding consistency, equipping you with the skills needed to enhance your portfolio and advance your professional development in the field.

What You’ll Learn

• Understand the role of graphic design
• Explain the history and evolution of graphic design.
• Identify key industries and roles where design is applied.
• Apply core design principles
• Use fundamental design elements (line, shape, texture, space).
• Apply principles such as balance, contrast, alignment, hierarchy, and emphasis.
• Work with colour and typography
• Understand colour theory and its impact on perception and branding.
• Select and apply colour schemes for visual harmony and accessibility.
• Use typography effectively for readability and visual appeal.
• Edit and manipulate raster images
• Understand image resolution and quality
• Perform basic photo editing, retouching, and manipulation using raster tools
• Create vector-based designs
• Design logos, icons, and illustrations using vector graphics tools
• Work with paths, shapes, and typography in vector formats
• Design for print and layout
• Create print-ready materials such as brochures, posters, and magazines
• Prepare designs for print production, including file setup and export
• Follow a professional design process
• Conduct research, develop concepts, and create mockups
• Iterate designs based on feedback and prepare final deliverables
• Present design work professionally.
• Build a professional portfolio
• Select and organise design work for presentation.
• Create a well-structured, visually compelling portfolio in print or digital formats.

 

So if you are passionate about all things visually inspiring – from brochures and buildings to book covers and beer bottles – then get those creative juices (and your income) flowing with our Certificate of Graphic Design.

 

Can we help you find your new direction? Contact one of our Course Consultants today on 1300 76 2221 or use Live Chat.