Graphic Designer
Visual communication is everywhere - strong designers are in demand across every industry.
About the Career
Graphic design demand is stable - digital and brand design are growing while print is contracting.
Salary in Canada
- Entry level: $45,000
- Senior level: $90,000
Art directors and brand designers at agencies earn at the higher end.
Job Outlook
Stable demand. Graphic design demand is stable - digital and brand design are growing while print is contracting.
How to Get There
- 4-yr BDes or BFA (Graphic Design) or diploma program
- Time to career: 4 years post-Grade 12
Key Skills
- Typography & Layout
- Brand Identity Design
- Adobe Creative Suite & Figma
- Client Communication
- Time Management
Typical Employers
- Design agencies
- In-house brand & marketing teams
- Tech companies
- Publishing & media
- Freelance
High School Roadmap
- Learn Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop - or Canva as a starting point. Design for school events and clubs.
- Build a small design portfolio. Enter design competitions.
- Learn the full Adobe Creative Suite. Build a strong portfolio of diverse design work.
- Apply to graphic design programs with a strong portfolio. OCAD, Sheridan, and SFU are top choices.
Top Universities for This Path
- Simon Fraser University – Burnaby, BC
- Concordia University – Montreal, QC
- Toronto Metropolitan University – Toronto, ON
Insider Tips
- OCAD University and Sheridan College are Canada's most respected design schools.
- Your portfolio is everything in design hiring - build it relentlessly from G10 onwards.
- UX/UI design (digital product design) commands higher salaries than traditional print graphic design.