What Kind of Companies Hire Graphic Designers?

Guest Post by Alisha Haqie

A surprisingly large number of companies hire graphic designers. But for people pursuing this career, it can sometimes be hard to work out where exactly to look for work. Which types of companies are most in need of their skills?
 
That’s the question we answer in this post. As you’ll see, there are a surprisingly diverse range of firms that want talented people to create beautiful visuals, both internally, and for customers.

Video Production And Television Studios 

​Broadcasters and video production professionals need people who can create beautiful images to accompany their advertising copy. Usually, graphic designers’ task is to come up with visual representations of the ad copy that audiences will find appealing. People who seek careers in this line of work will need to have flexible skills and be able to react to a vast array of briefs. TV and video production requirements are always changing

​Corporate Branding 

​Many graphic design companies also go into corporate branding. Companies need catchy images and visuals that immediately tell people who they are, what they sell, and the level of service that they can expect.
 
Typically, graphic designers in this area will sell their services as consultants, not formal employees. Businesses will provide them with a brief, and then they will get to work translating companies’ ideas and goals into images that capture their sentiment. The majority of the projects designers take on  relate directly to corporate logos and branding. However, firms may also ask them to take on smaller projects, such as creating a suite of brand-compatible photographs.
 
For many budding graphic designers, corporate branding is a good place to be because of the steady flow of work. Every ten years or so, companies will decide to revamp their brand to bring it more up to date. And each time they do, they’ll use teams of consultant designers, usually paid off the company payroll. However, some firms will hire graphic designers in-house full time. 

​SEO Agencies 

Graphic designers are also finding a home at SEO agencies - firms that help businesses rank higher in Google search results. Designers can add tremendous value to the creative output of these companies which ultimately feed into better page ranks for their clients. For instance, they might create infographics or enhance posts or videos with interesting visual media.
 
Advertising Firms 

Advertising firms are among the longest-standing employers of graphic designers. When their clients approach them for a new advertising campaign, they need people with the skills to make it happen.
 
Many graphic designers love working at advertising firms because they get to work on both print and digital media. Over time, they build their skills in both, increasing their professional repertoire, giving them more career options in the future.
 
Advertising firms also tend to be a good place to be financially speaking. These companies often have higher budgets than most and so usually pay higher salaries and offer more benefits. Plus, because they are quite large, they also provide opportunities for career progression.
 
Because of all this, advertising companies are the first port of call for many graduate graphic designers. They spend a few years in these firms learning the ropes before either creating their own agencies or moving onto different projects in other industries. 

Software Development Companies 

​Many software companies create apps and programs that offer users a rich visual experience. But usually, it’s not the coders themselves who create these images; it’s the team of graphic designers backing them up.
 
To get into this field, graphic designers need to have both artistic and coding skills. Many firms are looking for people who can make their software easier to use. Often, they’ve mastered the backend, but they need skilled workers who have a knack for understanding the kind of interfaces consumers want. Graphic designers, therefore, are a kind of bridge between the ultra-technical side of the operation and the slick, visual, consumer-facing interface.
 
For those looking for a long career in graphic design, then software development is a great place to be. The range of opportunities on offer in the sector is growing all the time. And the industry is going to be around for a long time yet, even if individual firms go out of business.
 
Educational Firms 

Lastly, graphic designers can often find work in educational firms. These enterprises need people who can create pedagogic tools that will help children learn and remain engaged. Ultimately, the goal of these brands is to ensure that students succeed.