Visual Designer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a visual designer. Feel free to use our visual designer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a visual designer.
Who is a Visual Designer?
A visual designer is a professional who combines concepts from web design, fine art, and user interface design to create visually appealing elements on a website. Visual designers must be proficient in typography, color theory, and other design elements. They are responsible for the design and layout of online platforms that connect businesses with their customers. They are hired by businesses and individuals to create websites and applications.
Although the tasks of a visual designer can vary from project to project, they are generally responsible for designing a website or user interface (UI). This responsibility can often be seen in tasks that require the application of different concepts within graphic design such as color theory and scale. This designer works closely with other programmers to ensure that a complete vision is realized. Although this work is usually done at the start of a project it can also be applied to existing products.
Visual designers work either for one company directly or as freelance workers or consultants hired from another company. This designer’s primary responsibility is often to apply graphic design concepts to the layout and UI of a website. For some products, multiple designers may be needed to create a UI. However, this is not always true. Visual design can take precedence. One designer could even complete an entire project.
A visual designer can either start from scratch or modify work that has been done previously, depending on the project’s nature. The designer generally applies graphic design principles to the page layout and UI. To create an intuitive UI, a visual designer might use color theory. This is evident in the association of certain colors with specific concepts or emotional responses. Red is used in many countries to signify warnings and stop signs, as well as to signal that a function might have adverse consequences.
A visual designer can use similar concepts in graphic design, such as using positive and negative spaces on a page. For example, the Google(r), homepage layout is an example of how negative space can be used to make certain elements stand out more prominently. The homepage for Bing(r), on the other hand, clearly shows how this space can be filled with imagery that supports its primary purpose. This type of layout is created by a visual designer who understands how people see images and how different design elements can enhance the user’s experience.
Visual Designer Job Description
Below are the visual designer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a visual designer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a visual designer include the following:
- Incorporating a brand’s visual identity into all elements of the business
- Designing layout of digital product interfaces like wearables, apps, devices, webpages, and games
- Creating logos and iconography to create a brand’s visual identity.
- Making infographics to explain complex ideas in an easily-understood format
- Managing and developing digital products
- Modifying digital products for different devices (PCs and smartphones, tablets, etc.)
- Designing web banner ads, brochures, and email templates
- Making screen mockups, wireframes, and user-focused interaction models
- Identifying the artwork and images you want to use, and then create strategies for using them.
- Collaborating with clients to establish project parameters and get feedback to improve final delivery
- Establishing the look and feel of various interfaces such as websites, mobile devices, and apps.
- Creating layouts that reflect a brand’s voice or style through its visual touchpoints, following brand guidelines
- Designing logos, icons, and infographics
- Collaborating closely with IT and business teams to solve complex problems, such as data visualization and interaction models.
- Organizing and creating production assets
- Resizing assets to fit different devices, such as tablets, mobile, and web.
- Working on presentation materials, email marketing, and interactive event materials.
- Multitasking while managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.
- Presenting the user interface so information is easily understood, read, and found.
- Gathering information and materials to prepare for work.
- Generating clear ideas, concepts, and designs for creative assets.
- Collaborating with other designers to create a consistent brand perception and user experience.
Qualifications
Education
The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Design or Advertising. A candidate who has a bachelor’s in a different field can still pursue technical training in graphic design to fulfill the educational requirements. An equivalent level of education is acceptable in the workplace.
Experience
Candidates must have at least five years of experience in Interaction Design, Visual Design, or another related field. Experience in designing presentations is required. The candidate must have presented design proposals to a group of product developers.
Artistic ability
The Visual Designer must have the ability to create visually appealing designs that appeal to consumers. They should not only make suggestions to Senior Designers or development departments. This could be as simple as hand sketching or the creation of basic product prototypes. This would make the candidate more qualified for the job.
Software
To be a visual designer, you will need to use specialized graphic design software for the preparation of designs. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Flash, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Photoshop.
Ms Office
To create engaging content for presentations to Senior Designers or other product development leaders, the Visual Designer must be familiar with Ms Word and PowerPoint.
Essential Skills
- Design Software
Your designers must be familiar with the various design software. Your graphic designers will require different skills depending on the type and complexity of the project. If you are looking to create prototypes or mockups, you will need a design professional who is skilled in InVision and Figma. If you are looking to create a website, however, you will need web design tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Sketch. Check the knowledge of Illustrator and InDesign by designers for print production projects. Because there are so many tools, no designer can use them all. It’s crucial to decide what type of design work you want to do.
- Design Principles
Visual designers need to be familiar with design principles. This set of principles is essential for visual designers, regardless of whether they are working in photo editing, printing, or digital design. There are many visual design principles, including balance, hierarchy and alignment, repetition, contrast, and others. You might consider outsourcing to help you find visual designers and assess their technical and soft skills.
- Ideation
Next on the list are ideas skills. Designers must be able to come up with innovative ideas and concepts. They will likely be required to lead the product team and encourage them to be more creative. Designers need to have a variety of research tools and methods to help them create and evaluate ideas. This is important if you are a graphic designer.
- Creativity
This one is obvious. Creativity is key to any job as a visual designer. There’s more to creativity than just having brilliant ideas every once in a while. If you are a visual designer and work on many projects for different clients, it is important to have a process that helps you concentrate your creativity. Employers should look for visual designers with a structured creative process who can generate ideas constantly, rather than through one genius strike.
- Communication
Every company, regardless of industry, must communicate effectively to function. Communication is the only way to achieve meaningful results and complete projects promptly. This is true for design work as well. Visual designers need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, managers, and other employees. Designers must communicate with their managers, employers, and other members of the team to provide their insight and perspective to create something truly valuable to the company they are working for.
- Visual Communication
There’s another type of communication: “Visual communication”. It’s possible you don’t know what this is so I will explain. Designers create projects that have an impact on the people who view them. The ability to use images, typography and other tools to convey the message is a crucial skill for a designer. Designers must be able to communicate their ideas through their work. Designers can change the message that users receive by using different colors on the printed material or different buttons on the interface. Different shapes and colors have different meanings and it is up to the designer how to do it correctly.
- Problem Solving
The most important skill in visual design is problem-solving. This goes beyond the ability to use InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Sketch software. Because all digital products must solve users’ problems. The user will know exactly what they need before they decide to use your product. If the product fails to meet their needs, they will switch to another one. Problem-solving should be a part of your visual design skills.
- Teamwork
The majority of jobs do not end with the design. There will likely be publishing, coding, and printing afterward. A visual designer must be involved in all aspects of the design process, especially when it involves digital design. They don’t have to know HTML, CSS, or any other programming languages but they must be present and help the developers. They might require additional resources or guidance to help them code the best website or app.
- Time Management
This skill is sought after by many employers when they are recruiting for different positions. Visual designers need to be able to manage their time, as with any other career. It can be exhausting to work with visual media and it can become monotonous. Designers must be able to manage their time so that they can get work done but still have the ability to consider new ideas and possible changes to the project. We have to be open-minded about the fact that objectives and requirements change frequently.
How to Become a Visual Designer
These steps will help you become a visual designer.
- Having a basic knowledge of visual design is important
a good idea to learn the basics of visual design concepts before you start your career. These fundamentals can be a foundation for your future career.
- Learn to draw
Sketching allows designers to put their ideas onto paper while they create concepts.
- Understanding the basics of graphic designing theory
Visual designers use elements from graphic design theory to create attractive designs. This includes typography, layout, and spacing.
- Learn the basics of user experience (UX)
Visual designers use UX principles to create intuitive interfaces.
To create effective elements, visual designers must be familiar with concepts such as bounce rate, click-through rate, and loading speed.
- Learn about the different types of design software
For almost every aspect of their work, visual designers use InDesign and Photoshop as design software. To create different elements for clients, it’s useful to be familiar with a variety of software programs. To learn as much as you can, take a course or complete a tutorial about the software programs you are interested in.
- Get a bachelor’s degree
Although you don’t necessarily need a bachelor’s degree in visual design to be successful, a master’s degree can make you more marketable, increase your earning potential, and open up new job opportunities. You might consider a degree in graphic design, visual design, or another related field. This coursework will help you master various design software. It is particularly useful for your future career.
- Get involved in an internship
It is a great way to put your knowledge into practice in a professional environment. Internships can be sought during summers between semesters or after graduation from college. To arrange an internship with a company that is a partner with your school, you can speak with a student advisor. You can contact them directly if you are interested in internships with one or two businesses.
- Create a strong portfolio
You can build a portfolio of your best work as you learn and finish your education. Your portfolio should contain 10-12 examples of your best work that you can present to clients or employers. It also includes works that demonstrate a variety of skills, styles, and unique elements.
Many online platforms offer both paid and unpaid portfolio plans. Your portfolio can be hosted on your website or your professional social media accounts. To make a great first impression on employers and clients, include only the best pieces in your portfolio.
There are many ways to build your portfolio. You can add work that you have done in a class, or offer your services to friends and family to help build your portfolio. Any personal projects that you have completed can be added.
- Apply for jobs
After you have completed your education and built your portfolio, you are eligible to apply for entry-level roles in visual design. You can add your portfolio link to the resume. Also, you might tailor your resume to each application. A cover letter can be useful to include with every application. It will describe your work and highlight one or two of the projects you have worked on.
There are many jobs available in advertising, web design, and branding. If flexibility and independence are important, you can also freelance. You can find freelance work for visual designers on several platforms.
Where to Work
Visual designers work in publishing, advertising, public relations, and other related industries. Some of them work also freelance and work remotely.
Visual Designer Salary Scale
The average salary for a Visual Designer in the United States ranges between $58,848 to $73,537. The range of salaries can be very different depending on many factors such as education, certifications, and years spent in the profession. Salary.com has the most accurate online compensation data of any website.