---
name: graphic-designer
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'graphic designer' (also: advertising artist, graphic design expert, graphic artist, graphics designer, graphic design specialist, commercial graphic designer). Use when the user asks for typical graphic designer work such as: Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.; Research new software or design concepts.; Prepare digital files for printing."
---

# Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create text and images to communicate ideas. They make visual concepts by hand or using computer software, intended for publishing in paper or online media such as advertisements, websites, and magazines.

## Core workflow

1. Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
2. Research new software or design concepts.
3. Prepare digital files for printing.
4. Research the target audience of projects.
5. Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
6. Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
7. Use computer software to generate new images.
8. Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.

## How to use this skill

- Read [references/profile.md](references/profile.md) for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult [references/tasks.md](references/tasks.md) for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check [references/skills.md](references/skills.md) for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check [references/tools.md](references/tools.md) for the software commonly used in this role.
- See [references/ai-skills.md](references/ai-skills.md) — matched external AI agent skills (per-source attribution).

## Key competences (essential)

- adapt to type of media
- adobe creative suite
- convert scribbles into virtual sketches
- copyright legislation
- design graphics
- design prototypes
- desktop publishing
- develop an artistic framework
- develop creative ideas
- develop digital content
- digital media
- finish project within budget
- follow a brief
- graphic design
- identify customer's needs

## Hot technologies

- Intuit QuickBooks
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Autodesk Revit
- Bentley MicroStation
- Microsoft Access
- Structured query language SQL
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Outlook


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## Hot technologies

Top tools from 35 gated job ads (see references/market.md, as of 2026-07-12):

- Adobe Illustrator — 57 %
- Adobe Photoshop — 54 %
- Adobe InDesign — 49 %
- Adobe Creative Suite — 20 %
- Microsoft PowerPoint — 20 %
- Adobe Creative Cloud — 14 %
- Figma — 14 %
- Microsoft Office — 14 %
- Microsoft Word — 11 %
- Adobe Acrobat — 9 %

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---
*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/69bcbb0a-8d80-4ecd-b0a4-9adea2a40de2), O*NET 30.3 (27-1024.00). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*