What Makes a Good Graphic Designer?

If you’re considering going to college for digital arts and media, Villa Maria College has many options to choose from. Graphic design is universally useful and is just one of several exciting career paths to explore and exert your creative passion. This industry is about much more than simply creating visually appealing content; it’s about solving problems, communicating ideas, and crafting experiences that resonate with audiences. So, what makes a good graphic designer? What traits and skills will you need in your repertoire?

You Love Creating Things

Graphic designers have deep creative energy. They love to come up with new ideas and get excited about possibilities. Whether you have a preferred artistic style or like to mix things up, you love bringing a vision to life. You also enjoy going through the creative process and seeing where it takes you.

For Jarei “Ree” Evans, a graphic design student at Villa, the love of creating is what drives him forward. “Art is in me. I live and breathe it. Most things I see in the world around me keep me inspired or motivated to keep creating,” he shared.

You’re Drawn to Aesthetics

Do you have a lot of art at home and curate your spaces to fit a certain look? Or do you collect or purchase certain items because of their visual appeal? Graphic designers notice and recall aesthetics and often go out of their way to create an environment that represents their creative identity. speaks to their artistic preferences.

Having the “creative confidence” to develop and promote your creative decisions, as graphic design professor Julie Zack says, is an integral part of working in the industry. “Designers become the brand architect for their clients, helping steer every piece of communication based on research, strategy, and psychology to yield positive outcomes,” she shared.

You Communicate Really Well

Good communicators know how to actively listen and ask clear and concise questions. Graphic designers need this skill to work efficiently with clients. They not only have to understand what a client’s needs are, but they also have to be able to communicate creative decisions and explain how those apply to the client’s intended outcome. Being patient, open-minded, and humble also factor into communication skills, especially in situations where the designer’s and the client’s perspectives differ. Being able to hear feedback and address concerns is key to working as a graphic designer.

You’ve Got an Eye for Details

If you can spot the little things that other people seem to miss, you have an eye for detail that graphic designers need. It’s that extra close attention that can make or break a project, even if no one else happens to notice at first glance. That commitment to finding and fine-tuning details such as font and color choices separates good designers from great designers.

You Can’t Wait to Learn New Things

Like to absorb information and develop new skills? Graphic design is a dynamic process that involves much more than just creativity. It starts with thorough research and conceptualizing ideas, often through sketching, before progressing to digital creation. Modern graphic designers are skilled in both analog and digital tools, using programs like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign to bring their concepts to life. Designers may also explore motion graphics when they enhance the final outcome. A true passion for learning and refining the design process, from ideation to execution, is essential in producing unique and impactful designs.

You Look for Deeper Meaning

You don’t settle for surface-level thinking. Instead, you like to dive deep into a subject or project. When graphic designers are creating, the ultimate goal is to make something that reflects a client’s message in a way that resonates with the audience in a meaningful, memorable way.

For Professor Zack, bigger-picture thinking is one of the most important aspects of being a graphic designer. “Not every client or company recognizes, values, or seeks original and differentiated design. Graphic designers who create with a bigger picture in mind ultimately are more successful in influencing profit margins and brand equity for their clients,” she said.

You’ve Got a Knack for Multitasking

Whether graphic designers work in-house for a particular company or with multiple clients in an agency or freelance setting, they are most likely working on many projects simultaneously. But it’s not just important to be able to juggle multiple tasks. Graphic designers must be open and adapt to new ideas, since projects can change direction or clients may shift gears.

You Know How to Manage Your Time

Time management goes hand in hand with multitasking. While all projects are important, some will need faster turnarounds than others. Although no one likes to put a time limit on creativity, graphic designers must know how to balance input and output with the design process to ensure deadlines and expectations are met. For instance, graphic designers might need to overcome challenges like creative blocks or reassess project prioritization to ensure they complete essential deadlines like product and campaign launches.

You’re Open to Constructive Criticism

Have you ever created something you thought was near perfect, only to hear others suggest changes or simply not like your design at all? Graphic designers have to hear constructive criticism frequently. While you have to be able to communicate and present your ideas, you also have to respect your client’s reasoning without taking feedback or suggestions personally.

Should I Be a Graphic Designer?

At Villa Maria College, our graphic design program helps students turn their creativity into award-winning success. Through hands-on projects, expert guidance, and a supportive environment, we help aspiring designers grow their skills and achieve their goals. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is graphic design for me?” our program can help you find the answer by equipping you with the tools and confidence to thrive in this exciting field.