As a fresh graduate or a young professional in India, you might be wondering about the potential salaries graphic designers can earn.
Graphic design has become an increasingly popular field over the years, with more and more businesses and organisations requiring skilled professionals who can create visual content that captivates audiences. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at what graphic designers do, the skills required for success in this field, job roles, and, most importantly, expected salaries across different experience levels.
Who is a Graphic Designer?
A graphic designer creates visual content to communicate information and ideas to a specific audience. Your work can range from designing logos, brochures, advertisements, packaging, and websites.
Graphic designers can work in various industries, such as advertising, publishing, digital media, and in-house marketing departments.
To succeed in this field, you should have excellent communication skills as well as proficiency in relevant software such as Adobe Creative Suite. You can choose to specialise in fields such as branding, user experience design, or animation.
Graphic designers can work in various job roles, like creative directors or art directors, or even as UI/UX or packaging designers.
Salaries in Graphic Design
If you're considering a career as a graphic designer in India, it's essential to understand the salaries graphic designers typically earn based on experience levels.
- Entry-level (0-2 years): As an entry-level graphic designer with zero to two years of work experience in India, you could earn an average salary of ₹2-4 lakhs per annum.
- Mid-level (2–5 years): As a mid-level graphic designer with two to five years of experience, your salary might range between ₹4-6 lakhs per annum.
- Senior-level (5+ years): With five or more years of experience as a senior graphic designer in India, you can earn an average salary of ₹10-15 lakhs per annum.
The following table shows average salaries for different job roles:
Factors Affecting Salaries
Several factors impact the salaries that graphic designers earn in India. Some of these factors include location, skills and specialisation, and company size. Let's examine each one in detail:
- Location: The city where you work can significantly impact your salary as a graphic designer. For instance, the average annual salary for a graphic designer in Mumbai is around ₹3.8 lakhs compared to Chennai, where it is around ₹2.7 lakhs per annum.
- kills and Specialisation: Graphic designers who possess specialised skills such as UI/UX design or have expertise in design software like Photoshop and Illustrator typically earn higher salaries than those without such skills.
- Company Size: The size of the company you work for also influences your salary as a graphic designer. Large firms with established brands offer higher compensation packages than small businesses or start-ups that are still establishing themselves.
The following tables show average salaries based on skill sets, specialisations, and company size:
Job Potential and Career Growth in Graphic Design
The demand for professional graphic designers is expected to grow by around 5% over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics. The growth of the advertising and media industries continues to offer ample opportunities for job seekers in this field.
- A typical career path for a graphic designer begins with internships or freelance projects to gain experience.
- Later, they can work as junior graphic designers for firms or in-house marketing departments to gain more skills and experience.
- As they become more experienced, graphic designers can move into roles such as art director, creative director, or UX/UI designer.
- Freelance work is also an option for those who want more flexibility with their schedules.
Education and Certification Options for Graphic Design
Aspiring graphic designers can opt for a bachelor's degree in fine arts with a specialisation in graphic design or multimedia design. There are also many diploma courses offered by institutes that are specific to graphic design.
Here's a table showing a few courses and certifications that you can pursue to become a graphic designer.
Upskilling Opportunities for Graphic Designers
Upskilling opportunities for graphic designers are plentiful. There are many online courses and certifications that can be pursued to enhance your skills and increase networking among peers and industry experts.
Kickstart Your Career in Graphic Design
In conclusion, graphic design is a lucrative and dynamic field with plenty of job opportunities and room for growth in India. By understanding the salaries of graphic designers at different levels of experience, specialisations, and locations, you can make informed decisions about your career path.
Some key takeaways include upskilling opportunities through education options and certification courses, as well as leveraging freelancing and portfolio building to increase your earning potential.
At WIZR, we are committed to helping young professionals unlock their potential by offering career guidance, upskilling programmes, and financing options.
FAQs
1. Do graphic designers earn more as freelancers?
Yes, many graphic designers earn more as freelancers due to their flexibility in choosing clients and projects.
2. Can I work as a freelance graphic designer?
Yes, you can work as a freelance graphic designer by building a strong portfolio and networking with potential clients.
3. Is it necessary to have a portfolio as a graphic designer?
Yes, having a strong portfolio showcasing your best work is essential in the competitive field of graphic design.
4. Is it necessary to learn from a reputed institute or college to be a graphic designer?
While formal education may be beneficial for learning technical skills and building industry connections, it is not always necessary to attend a reputed institute or college to become successful in this field.
5. Are drawing and sketching skills enough to pursue a career in graphic design?
No, while drawing skills are important for communicating ideas visually, pursuing a career in graphic design requires proficiency in software such as Adobe Creative Suite and knowledge of design principles.
