Graphic Design Skills That Employers Want to See

If you're just starting out in the graphic design industry, you know that having an impressive portfolio will help your career flourish. Having several graphic design skills will give you a competitive edge and set you ahead of other designers who only possess some of these skills.

So what are employers looking for in a graphic designer? In this post, we'll look at the skills that employers most want to see in job candidates. Knowing what these are will help you focus your portfolio and increase your chances of getting hired. So read on to learn more. 

Why is having graphic design skills important?

Graphic design is a valuable skill and tool for communicating with others. It's used to get your message across effectively and aesthetically appealing.

The graphic designer's role requires more than just taking the initiative and producing creative designs. Graphic designers often have to explore new ideas and concepts, synthesize a picture from various inputs, communicate complex messages in an easy-to-follow manner, convert abstract ideas into paper-based prototypes, and sometimes help marketing teams choose the best visual representation of the brand identity.

Therefore, employers must hire candidates who can provide tangible evidence of their knowledge, fundamental design principles like clarity, communication, and uniqueness, and adapt quickly to new tools and tactics relevant to their industry.

Graphic design professionals require a portfolio that highlights their most impressive work. Your graphic design CV should reflect your most important skills, which will help you succeed as a designer. 

The following are some of the essential talents employers look for when hiring graphic designers and why they're so important:

Ablility to adapt

In the digital world, you have to adapt quickly or risk being left behind by your competition. Successful designers are constantly adapting and learning new design tools to get better at their craft.

Design trends change over time, so recruiters will look at whether or not you can adapt when necessary. They'll also consider whether you can work under tight deadlines and meet your goals even when there's a lot of pressure.

Manages time well

Time management is vital. Graphic designers typically juggle several tasks at once and may be under pressure from several different clients. Graphic designers must be able to balance their work and prioritize their workload.

Ability to use digital tools

The world is getting more digital, so using the right digital tools will help you stay relevant in your career as a graphic designer. The ability to effectively use design tools like Photoshop, Canva,  and other free Canva alternatives can take years to master, but even having a basic understanding of these programs will set you apart from other designers.

Employers want to hire designers who can speak their language and use the tools they provide. It would be a big plus if you could demonstrate an understanding of industry-standard design software like Illustrator, InDesign, or use free Canva alternatives - like Dzyn Space! 

Understanding the design software will help you consistently produce quality work using these tools.

‍

Creative and unique

If you want your graphic design portfolio to stand out, make sure it's unique. If you don't showcase your uniqueness in your portfolio, nobody will know what makes you different as a designer. Instead of sending out the same cookie-cutter design portfolio to every employer, customize each one for that particular company by highlighting how your uniqueness, vision, and goals align with their company culture.

Nobody wants to hire a graphic designer who copies or plagiarizes. You should be able to offer original and unique solutions that reflect your clients' needs and produce high-quality work that stands out from the crowd.

‍

Accuracy and attention to detail

A graphic designer needs to work on accuracy and pay attention to detail. This is because if they are creating the graphics, errors would take time to rectify, and time is money. Everything has to be neat and clean, with no handwriting or smudges at all. 

Attention to detail will keep your clients happy, and your boss will be impressed that you're making sure things are done the right way every time. This might mean taking a few seconds to make sure everything is lined up perfectly on a page or staying behind a little longer to double-check a client's work.

Independent

Employers want graphic designers who can take the initiative and work without constant supervision. Working independently means staying organized, meeting deadlines, and thinking critically while working solo on projects without guidance or support from other team members. This skill involves managing multiple responsibilities effectively while producing high-quality work consistently.

Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Employers want graphic designers who can communicate clearly and effectively with their clients in writing and orally. They want designers who can talk about the design process without creating confusion for the client.

In the design world, communication is looking at a design from your client's perspective to see what message they're trying to convey. In the digital world, you have to constantly be aware of how users will interact with your designs and whether all aspects contribute effectively to that interaction.

The graphic designer must also give the client constant updates on the project in progress. 

With strong problem-solving abilities

Many projects will require creative solutions to complex problems, and employers want graphic designers who can figure out ways to move forward and complete tasks successfully. Some projects will require quick thinking, collaboration and problem solving, and employers want designers who can operate under pressure in these scenarios.

‍

Conclusion

So, what type of design skills do employers want to see? The answer is pretty much all of them. Strong design skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong problem-solving abilities, technical proficiency with the software used in the industry, creativity, and originality are the most important ones.

If you want to make a great impression on potential employers and stand out from the competition, you must hone these skills and showcase them in your portfolio. 

Luckily, we have just the tool for you – a free Canva alternative online graphic design software DzynSpace. Start practising your design skills on this easy-to-use platform. Not only will this help you develop your talent, but you'll also be able to create high-quality graphics that can be used in creating a stellar portfolio. 

So what are you waiting for? Start honing your skills and making your own graphics with free graphic software like Dzyn Space today.