Graphic Designers and Illustrators (NOC 5241)

What They Do Graphic designers perform some or all of the following duties: Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians. Co-ordinate sub-contracting Work in a multidisciplinary environment Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients' objectives Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients' communications needs Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers Co-ordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CD-ROMs, interactive terminals, etc. Illustrators perform some or all of the following duties: Consult with clients to determine the nature and content of illustrations in order to meet their communications needs Develop and produce realistic or representational sketches and final illustrations, by hand or using computer-assisted design (CAD) software, for printed materials such as books, magazines, packaging, greeting cards, stationery, etc. Assist in developing storyboards for electronic productions such as multimedia, interactive and digital products, television advertising and productions, etc. Produce 2-D and 3-D animated drawings or computer illustrations May adapt existing illustrations. Illustrators may specialize in a particular field such as illustrations for children, advertising, editorials, humour, or medical, scientific or technical illustration, or multimedia design. Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Specialized design services 31% Information and cultural industries 14% Retail trade 14% Printing and related support activities 10% Advertising and related services 10% Computer systems design and related services 5% Miscellaneous manufacturing 4% People in this group work for advertising and graphic design firms, multimedia production companies, and other organizations with communications or advertising departments. Graphic designers and illustrating artists may also may also work for the government or be self-employed. The unionization rate (18%) is below the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Graphic Designers and Illustrators are found in Ontario and British Columbia while the lowest concentrations are in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.

Related Occupation(s) Photographers, Graphics Arts Technicians and Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts (NOC 522) Creative and Performing Artists (NOC 513)

Something to Think About To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider: Continually updating knowledge/skills Improving interpersonal skills (Human resources management) Learning business management (marketing, strategic planning) Learning how to market on a website (e-commerce) Learning how to build and maintain customer relations

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need You must have a high school diploma and creative ability as demonstrated by a portfolio of your work. You usually need a university degree in visual arts with a specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning, or a college/other program in graphic arts. As an illustrator, you may also need additional training in your area of specialization. You may need experience or training in multimedia design at a college/post-secondary or technical institution. With experience, you may move up the ranks to become a manager or senior designer. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Graphic and Audio-Visual Arts (C060) Mass Communications (C410) Computer Science (C720) Applied Arts (U010) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Colour Design Innovation Computers Marketing Strategic and Creative thinking Typography Project management		Useful High School Subjects Graphic Design Art Computer-related courses English
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated FAIR because: Employement grew at an average rate. Hourly wages ($19.00) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average. The unemployment rate (3%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Fair   2009   Fair

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be FAIR because: The employment growth rate will likely be average because of the emergence of information technologies, and an increasing number of websites. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely exceed the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition You're more likely to succeed if you have strong computer skills for presentations, design, and project management.

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $12.57 $11.74 25-54 $20.03 $19.76 55+ $31.00 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $19.00 $18.07		Hourly wages ($19.00) are close to the national average ($18.07). These earnings are close to the average for occupations in the art, culture, recreation and sport sector and are close to the average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Close to the average
The unemployment rate (3%) is close to the 2004 average (7%). This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 8% 10% 1992 6% 11% 1993 10% 11% 1994 7% 10% 1995 6% 10% 1996 5% 10% 1997 4% 9% 1998 3% 8% 1999 3% 8% 2000 3% 7% 2001 6% 7% 2002 7% 8% 2003 6% 8% 2004 3% 7%

% of part-time work is about the same as average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 86% 81% Part-time 14% 19%		There were 59,100 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 23% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers is 14% compared to the 2004 average (19%) and has risen since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Above average
The percentage of self-employed workers (35%) is above the 2004 average of 15% and has stayed about the same since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 35% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 11% 10% 25-54 81% 72% 55+ 8% 12%		The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average reflecting the age/retirement structure of the occupation.
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Average
The percentage of women is 41% compared to the 2004 average of 48% and has dropped since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 41% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31