Graphic Designer Job Description
Hire a Graphic Designer who turns strategy into clear, effective visual work for print and digital channels. This template helps you define responsibilities, must-have skills and a concise advert that attracts experienced designers.
What does a Graphic Designer professional do?
A Graphic Designer develops visual assets for brand, marketing and product communications across digital and print, working to briefs and brand guidelines.
Graphic Designer job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Graphic Designer
About the role
We are looking for a skilled Graphic Designer to produce high-quality visual assets for [COMPANY] across digital and print channels. You will work with marketing, product and external suppliers to turn briefs into on-brand designs — from campaign graphics and social content to brochures and presentation materials. Please include a link to your portfolio when applying.
Key responsibilities
- Interpret creative briefs and translate them into clear, on-brand visual concepts for digital and print.
- Design and deliver assets such as social graphics, email banners, web imagery, brochures, adverts and presentations.
- Work with marketing and product teams to ensure designs meet objectives, accessibility and technical requirements.
- Prepare production-ready files and specifications for print and third-party suppliers, checking colour, bleed and export settings.
- Maintain and apply brand guidelines; help expand and document visual systems and component libraries.
- Manage multiple projects and deadlines, providing progress updates and meeting agreed milestones.
- Optimise and export assets for different platforms, ensuring file-size and format suitability.
- Give and receive constructive feedback; support junior designers or contractors when required.
Essential skills and experience
- A strong, shareable portfolio demonstrating concept, execution and attention to detail across print and digital work.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and experience with Figma or similar UI tools.
- Solid understanding of typography, layout, colour and visual hierarchy.
- Experience preparing files for print and working with external printers or production partners.
- Good communication skills and ability to work from briefs with stakeholders.
- Right to work in the UK.
Desirable
- Experience with motion graphics (After Effects) or simple animation for social.
- Knowledge of HTML/CSS or experience working with web developers.
- Previous agency or in-house marketing team experience.
- Degree or recognised qualification in graphic design or related discipline.
- Familiarity with digital asset management systems and version control.
What we offer
- [Flexible working / hybrid pattern]
- [Pension scheme]
- [Annual leave allowance + bank holidays]
- [Professional training / CPD budget]
- [Health insurance or employee assistance programme]
- [Cycle to work scheme / season ticket loan]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Graphic Designer role?
Graphic Designers create visual communications that support marketing, product and brand objectives. They develop concepts and execute designs for a variety of outputs — from social and web graphics to printed collateral — ensuring consistency with brand guidelines and technical readiness for production. The role requires strong typographic and layout skills, familiarity with industry software and the ability to manage multiple projects to deadline.
Typical contract
Permanent, full-time roles are common; part-time or freelance contracts are also available depending on workload.
Location
Roles can be office-based, hybrid or fully remote — consider whether in-person collaboration or studio access is required.
Hours
Usually standard daytime hours; occasional extended hours may be required to meet campaign or print deadlines.
Tools
Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma are typically expected; additional motion or web tools are an advantage.
Typical Graphic Designer responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Interpret creative briefs
Interpret creative briefs and translate them into clear, on-brand visual concepts for digital and print.
Design
Design and deliver assets such as social graphics, email banners, web imagery, brochures, adverts and presentations.
Work with marketing
Work with marketing and product teams to ensure designs meet objectives, accessibility and technical requirements.
Prepare production-ready files
Prepare production-ready files and specifications for print and third-party suppliers, checking colour, bleed and export settings.
Maintain
Maintain and apply brand guidelines; help expand and document visual systems and component libraries.
Manage multiple projects
Manage multiple projects and deadlines, providing progress updates and meeting agreed milestones.
Optimise
Optimise and export assets for different platforms, ensuring file-size and format suitability.
Give and receive constructive feedback;
Give and receive constructive feedback; support junior designers or contractors when required.
Graphic Designer skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- A strong, shareable portfolio demonstrating concept, execution and attention to detail across print and digital work.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and experience with Figma or similar UI tools.
- Solid understanding of typography, layout, colour and visual hierarchy.
- Experience preparing files for print and working with external printers or production partners.
- Good communication skills and ability to work from briefs with stakeholders.
- Right to work in the UK.
Useful where relevant
- Experience with motion graphics (After Effects) or simple animation for social.
- Knowledge of HTML/CSS or experience working with web developers.
- Previous agency or in-house marketing team experience.
- Degree or recognised qualification in graphic design or related discipline.
- Familiarity with digital asset management systems and version control.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Graphic Designer job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Lead with the impact
Start your advert by explaining what the designer will deliver (eg. campaign assets, packaging, web UI) rather than generic phrases about creativity.
Ask for a portfolio link
Request a portfolio and examples of work that match your needs (campaigns, digital assets or print). Specify file types or case-study format if you prefer.
Be specific about software and outputs
List the core tools and deliverables you expect (e.g. InDesign for print, Figma for UI) to attract candidates with the right production experience.
Describe the team and day-to-day
Briefly explain who they will report to, typical collaborators and the project review process to set realistic expectations.
Graphic Designer salary considerations
Graphic Designer pay varies widely. When setting a salary, consider the following factors rather than relying on a single market number.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Graphic Designer candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What is the brief-to-delivery process?
Candidates want to know how briefs arrive, who signs off creative, typical review cycles and how changes are handled.
Who will I work with?
Experienced designers ask about the immediate team (marketing, product, developers), any direct reports and external agencies.
Which design tools and file workflows are used?
Designers need clarity on required software, version control, shared libraries and hand-off practices to development or printers.
Is the role remote, hybrid or office-based?
Clarify expectations for in-person days, studio access, hardware provision and support for home setups.
What level of creative freedom will I have?
Candidates want to know whether they’ll follow strict brand systems or lead concept and visual strategy.
How should I present my portfolio?
State whether you prefer an online link, PDF or case studies, and whether process work and file examples are valued.
Where to post a Graphic Designer job
Graphic Designer vacancies perform well across a mix of general job boards, creative industry sites and design communities. Use national boards for reach, specialist creative platforms and portfolio sites to target designers, and local channels or university alumni networks for junior hires. Tailor distribution to the role level: advertise broadly for mid-level and senior roles, and prioritise niche creative channels when you need specific technical skills.
Related creative / design job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Graphic Designer job description FAQs
Do I need a degree to hire a Graphic Designer?
No. A degree can be helpful but hiring decisions should prioritise a demonstrable portfolio and relevant production skills over formal qualifications.
Should I ask for raw files in the application?
Requesting process files or layered examples is reasonable at shortlist stage, but don’t require confidential client work. Ask for case studies that show process, tools and outcomes.
How long should the job advert be?
Keep the advert focused: a short summary (two to three lines), key responsibilities, essential skills and a request for a portfolio link. Provide more detail on team and benefits if space allows.
When is it appropriate to hire freelance vs permanent?
Use freelance contractors for short-term campaigns or specialist skills; choose permanent hires for ongoing brand ownership, broader collaboration and long-term capacity.
How can I assess a candidate’s technical competence quickly?
Review portfolio relevance, ask about specific tools and production tasks they handled, and include a short practical task or sample review in later interview stages.
Ready to recruit a Graphic Designer?
Use this template to create a clear advert, request a portfolio link, and choose channels that reach the right creative talent. Post your vacancy or contact us for multi-board distribution support.
