What is a designer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Michelle Lockwood
introduction image

A designer creates visual and functional solutions to address a problem or meet a specific need. They use their creativity and expertise to develop aesthetically pleasing and effective products, services, or experiences. Designers can work in graphic design, web design, fashion design, industrial design, and interior design. They collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and others to understand project requirements, conduct research, develop prototypes, and refine their designs.

What general advice would you give to a Designer?

M

Michelle LockwoodMichelle Lockwood LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor, Graphic Design Art, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Flexibility, adaptability, and problem-solving. I would say that these three characteristics will be essential to all recent and upcoming graduates' survival and success, obtaining degrees in design and applied arts. Flexibility is their willingness to look at all situations, projects, and job opportunities through a lens that considers multiple approaches, solutions, and out-of-the-box thinking. Adaptability -- in their understanding that the ground beneath them will continuously change, and they need to move with that change and balance themselves amid a career, which will likely look nothing like it does today, a year, or two years from now. Problem-solving -- in their use of intelligence and intuition to look carefully, listen actively, and continuously learn about the tools, technologies, and issues from which their projects and areas of focus will arise.
ScoreDesignerUS Average
Salary
5.2

Avg. Salary $66,347

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
4.2

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 10.42%

Black or African American 3.42%

Hispanic or Latino 10.63%

Unknown 4.99%

White 70.17%

Gender

female 43.14%

male 56.86%

Age - 37
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37
Stress Level
4.2

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.5

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.9

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Designer?

Pros

  • Collaborating with other professionals

  • Flexibility in work hours and location

  • Potential for high income

  • Working on diverse projects

  • Ability to work in a variety of industries

Cons

  • Long hours and tight deadlines

  • Uncertainty of project availability

  • Competition can be fierce

  • Isolation from others due to working independently

  • Possibility of burnout due to intense creative output

Designer career paths

Key steps to become a designer

  1. Explore designer education requirements

    Most common designer degrees

    Bachelor's

    60.7 %

    Associate

    24.0 %

    Master's

    6.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific designer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Sketch9.69%
    Customer Service7.04%
    Graphic Design5.64%
    CSS4.58%
    HTML4.23%
  3. Complete relevant designer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New designers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real designer resumes.
  4. Gain additional designer certifications

    Designer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific designer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for designers include Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) and Certified Agile Developer (CAD).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research designer duties and responsibilities

    • Lead & design all creative content stemming from apparel design to web identity.
    • Manage various PCB designs utilizing state of the art DFM techniques and comply with company standards.
    • Utilize CSS, DHTML, HTML, and JavaScript for cross browser, cross platform compatibility and consistency.
    • Develop different kinds of functions globally, locally for the development of forms using JavaScript, CSS.
  6. Prepare your designer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your designer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a designer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Designer Resume templates

    Build a professional Designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Designer resume.
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  7. Apply for designer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a designer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Designer Job

S

Sabrina LarameeSabrina Laramee LinkedIn Profile

Designer

My journey as a designer began during my high school years, and from the moment I opened Photoshop, I knew that this was my passion. Design quickly became my outlet for creativity and self-expression, allowing me to tap into a whole new world of possibilities. Through design, I learned how to create narratives, convey emotions, and breathe life into ideas. As I dove deeper into design, I realized that it was not just about aesthetics but about storytelling and connecting with others on a deeper level. It was through design that I found my voice and learned to communicate with the world in a way that was outside the norm.

Design has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me, allowing me to explore the digital realm and push the boundaries of my creativity. With each project, I am given the freedom to experiment, to learn, and to evolve as a designer. Design has become not just a profession, but a journey of self-discovery and growth, as I continue to push myself to new heights and discover more about myself as technology evolves.
S

Sabrina LarameeSabrina Laramee LinkedIn Profile

Designer, Freelancer

My journey as a designer began during my high school years, and from the moment I opened Photoshop, I knew that this was my passion. Design quickly became my outlet for creativity and self-expression, allowing me to tap into a whole new world of possibilities. Through design, I learned how to create narratives, convey emotions, and breathe life into ideas. As I dove deeper into design, I realized that it was not just about aesthetics but about storytelling and connecting with others on a deeper level. It was through design that I found my voice and learned to communicate with the world in a way that was outside the norm.

Design has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me, allowing me to explore the digital realm and push the boundaries of my creativity. With each project, I am given the freedom to experiment, to learn, and to evolve as a designer. Design has become not just a profession, but a journey of self-discovery and growth, as I continue to push myself to new heights and discover more about myself as technology evolves.

Average designer salary

The average Designer salary in the United States is $66,347 per year or $32 per hour. Designer salaries range between $45,000 and $97,000 per year.

Average Designer Salary
$66,347 Yearly
$31.90 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do designers rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Designer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

What I like most about a designer is doing work with Fonts designing projects designing

Cons

Let there be thousands of graphic designers


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

Making people look sweet and smart


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

It is something I enjoy! Something I’m good at! Something I could do as hobby and get paid for

Cons

That I don’t get to do it more often


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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