Explore occupational profile

Version:
OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
Search the OaSIS

52120.01 – Graphic designers

Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this occupation.

Overview

Example job titles

  • 2D animation artist
  • 3D modeler
  • Advertising designer

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to analyze design challenges, evaluate solutions, and make informed choices that enhance the effectiveness and impact of their work
  • Digital Literacy to stay updated with the latest tools, techniques and industry standards, ensuring their work remains relevant and innovative
  • Colour Perception to create visually appealing compositions that effectively communicate messages and evoke desired emotions through the thoughtful use of colour
  • Fluency of Ideas to brainstorm and develop a variety of creative solutions, ensuring they can explore different approaches and choose the most effective design concepts for their projects
  • Creativity to conceptualize unique and visually striking designs that capture attention and effectively convey messages in innovative ways
  • Knowledge in Technical Design to understand and apply the correct resolutions, colour profiles and file formats to ensure optimal design output for production of print or electronic materials

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs
  • 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
  • Coordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CDs and interactive terminals
  • Coordinate sub-contracting
  • Work in a multidisciplinary environment
  • Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians.

Additional information

  • Progression to management or senior design positions is possible with experience.
  • The title "registered graphic designer" is recognized by law in Ontario.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Advertising managers (10022.01)
  • Graphic arts technicians (52111)
  • Interior designers and interior decorators (52121)
  • Painters, sculptors and other visual artists (53122)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

52 – Technical occupations in art, culture and sport

Sub-major group

521 – Technical occupations in art and culture

Minor group

5212 – Graphic and interior designers

Unit group

52120 – Graphic designers and illustrators

Occupational profile

52120.01 – Graphic designers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.