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Occupation Profile
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: COLORADO
Occupation Description
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve
artistic or decorative effects.
State and National Wages
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High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.
Location
Pay
Period
2011
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
United States
Colorado
Hourly
$12.60
$16.06
$21.16
$28.56
$37.20
Yearly
$26,200
$33,400
$44,000
$59,400
$77,400
Hourly
$12.58
$15.42
$20.16
$26.45
$33.14
Yearly
$26,200
$32,100
$41,900
$55,000
$68,900
Occupation Wages FAQs
Median Wage by Occupation Across States
Compare Wages by Occupation and Local Area
Compare Wages by Metropolitan Areas
National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: Colorado Labor Market Information
State and National Trends
United States
Graphic Designers
Colorado
Graphic Designers
Employment
2010
2020
Percent
Change
279,200
316,500
+13%
12,380
Job Openings 1
120
Employment
2008
2018
Percent
Change
4,500
4,540
+1%
Job Openings 1
1
Job Openings refers to the average annual job openings due to growth and net replacement.
Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 20082018, while the projections period for national data is 2010-2020.
Occupation Trends FAQs
Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
Compare Employment Trends by Occupation
Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation
National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Graphic Designers.
Knowledge:
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Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative
ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition,
and grammar.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including
applications and programming.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Skills:
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Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as
appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Abilities:
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Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or
creativity).
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Source: Occupational Information Network: Graphic Designers.
Tasks and Activities
Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Graphic Designers.
Occupation Specific Tasks:
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Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Internet websites.
Develop negatives and prints to produce layout photographs, using negative and print developing equipment and tools.
Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.
Photograph layouts, using camera, to make layout prints for supervisors or clients.
Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.
Produce still and animated graphics for on-air and taped portions of television news broadcasts, using electronic video equipment.
Research new software or design concepts.
Review final layouts and suggest improvements as needed.
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Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.
Use computer software to generate new images.
Generalized Work Activities:
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Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions,
enter data, or process information.
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers,
the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Detailed Work Activities:
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confer with management or users
consult with customers concerning needs
create art from ideas
develop film or other photographic medium
distinguish details in graphic arts material
explain products to customer representatives
identify color or balance
identify problems or improvements
make presentations
obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
operate film or sound editing equipment
operate specialized photo equipment
organize story elements
paste up materials to be printed
prepare artwork for camera or press
prepare instructions for workers
process photographic prints
proofread printed or written material
set page layout or composition
sketch or draw subjects or items
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tell stories through musical, visual, or dramatic arts
use computer graphics design software
use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
use creativity in graphics
use creativity in industrial artistry
use creativity to art or design work
use film production techniques
Source: Occupational Information Network: Graphic Designers.
Tools and Technology
Graphic Designers View Detailed Report
Tools:
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Desktop computers - Desktop computers
Digital cameras - Digital cameras
Laser printers - Computer laser printers, Wide format printers
Notebook computers - Laptop computers
Personal computers - Personal computers
Technology:
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Data base user interface and query software - FileMaker Pro software, Microsoft Access, Structured query language SQL
Desktop publishing software - Adobe Systems Adobe Distiller, Adobe Systems Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign, Adobe Systems
Adobe PageMaker, QuarkXPress
Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects, Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks, Adobe Systems Adobe FreeHand, Adobe
Systems Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software
Web page creation and editing software - Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Systems Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Systems Adobe
Macromedia HomeSite
Web platform development software - Adobe Systems Adobe ColdFusion, Asynchronous JavaScript and XML AJAX, Cascading Style Sheets
CSS, Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML, Hypertext markup language HTML
Source: Occupational Information Network: Graphic Designers.
Education and Training
Occupation: Graphic Designers
Typical education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree
Typical work experience needed for a job in this occupation: None
Typical on-the-job training once you have a job in this occupation: None
Related Instructional Programs:
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Agricultural Communication/Journalism
Commercial and Advertising Art
Computer Graphics
Design and Visual Communications, General
Digital Arts
Graphic Design
Industrial and Product Design
Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
Distribution of Educational Attainment
Percent of employees aged 25 to 44 in the occupation whose highest level of educational
attainment is
Occupation
Less than High school
high school diploma or
diploma
equivalent
Some
college, no
degree
Associate's
degree
Bachelor's
degree
Master's
degree
Doctoral or
professional
degree
Graphic Designers
2.7%
12.7%
19.6%
13.9%
43.1%
7%
1.1%
Art and Design Workers
2.8%
12.2%
19.6%
12.2%
42.8%
9.1%
1.3%
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
3.1%
12.8%
21.3%
9.6%
40.7%
10.6%
2%
Total, All Occupations
10.4%
27.4%
20.9%
8.9%
19.5%
8.2%
4.7%
Find colleges, training schools and instructional programs for this occupation.
Find education and training programs where you can earn a certificate, diploma, or award in less than 2 years with the Short-Term Training Finder.
Access additional Education Resources in the Career Resource Library.
Use the Financial Aid Advisor to help find funds for financing education.
WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDLE-EmployTrain/CDLE/1248095317783
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National
Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)
Related Occupation Profiles
Occupations with similar skill requirements
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Art Directors
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture
Commercial and Industrial Designers
Fashion Designers
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Interior Designers
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Producers and Directors
Set and Exhibit Designers
Web Resources
The following resources are related to occupations in the job family
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Art and Design Workers
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers
Media and Communication Equipment Workers
Media and Communication Workers
Art and Design Workers
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Animator, Princeton Review
Art Directors, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Artist, Princeton Review
Craft and Fine Artists, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Design Careers, WetFeet.com
Fashion Designer, Princeton Review
Fashion designers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Fashion Designers, California Occupational Guide
Fashion Designers, CareerZone
Floral Designer, Future Farmers of America
Floral designers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Graphic Designer, Princeton Review
Graphic Designers, California Occupational Guide
Graphic Designers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Industrial Designers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Interior Designer, Princeton Review
Interior Designers, California Occupational Guide
Interior designers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Medical Illustration, Association of Medical Illustrators
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Multimedia Artists and Animators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Product Designer, Princeton Review
Set and exhibit designers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Sketch Artists, CareerZone
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers
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Actor, Princeton Review
Actors, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Athletes and Sports Competitors, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Baseball Player, Princeton Review
Coach, Princeton Review
Coaches and Scouts, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Comedian, Princeton Review
Dancers and Choreographers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Film Director, Princeton Review
Music Directors and Composers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Musician, Princeton Review
Musicians and Singers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Producers, CareerZone
Producers and Directors, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Television Producer, Princeton Review
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Media and Communication Equipment Workers
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Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Broadcast Technicians, California Occupational Guide
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers, California Occupational Guide
Camera Operators, Television, and Motion Picture, California Occupational Guide
Film and Video Editors, California Occupational Guide
Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Film Editor, Princeton Review
Photographer, Princeton Review
Photographers, California Occupational Guide
Photographers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Professional Photographers, CareerZone
Radio Operators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Stage Technician, Princeton Review
Media and Communication Workers
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Announcers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Book Publishing Professional, Princeton Review
Broadcasting, WetFeet.com
Copy Writers, CareerZone
Disc Jockey, Princeton Review
Editor, Princeton Review
Editorial and Writing, WetFeet.com
Editors, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Interpreter for Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, The Council for Exceptional Children
Interpreters and translators, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Interpreters and Translators, California Occupational Guide
Journalist, Princeton Review
Proofreaders and Copy Markers, California Occupational Guide
Public Relations, WetFeet.com
Public Relations, Princeton Review
Public Relations Managers, California Occupational Guide
Public Relations Managers and Specialists, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Public Relations Specialists, CareerZone
Publicist, Princeton Review
Reporters and Correspondents, California Occupational Guide
Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Technical writers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Technical Writers, California Occupational Guide
Telecommunications Specialist, Princeton Review
Television Reporter, Princeton Review
Translator, Princeton Review
Writer, Princeton Review
Writers and Authors, Occupational Outlook Handbook