If You Love Graphic Design, Here Are 15 Careers You Should Consider
Let’s be real—the job market for creatives is brutal right now. If you’re a graphic designer (or someone who just loves design), you’ve probably noticed that applying to hundreds of jobs on Indeed and hearing nothing back is basically the norm. Companies are flooded with applications, and if you don’t have a portfolio that screams “hire me,” you’re getting lost in the shuffle (that’s if they even look at it).
If you’re straight out of college, you’re going to need a strong portfolio. If you’re not straight out of college, you’re going to need an even stronger portfolio. One that’s built to convert employers and help you stand out from the sea of designers who all have the same generic resume.
The good news? You don’t have to waste your time blasting out applications and hoping for the best. There’s a better way to land a job—one that involves a mix of strategic positioning, a killer portfolio, and an approach that gets you hired faster. And I can help with that.
But first—let’s talk about what you should even be applying for. Because “graphic designer” is just one of many career paths you can take. If you’re struggling to figure out what direction to go in, here are 30 careers worth considering, plus some tips on how to get hired without wasting months on job boards.
The Importance of a Strong Portfolio
If you’re applying for creative jobs, your portfolio is your resume. No one is hiring a designer because they listed “Adobe Creative Suite” on their LinkedIn profile. They want to see what you can do.
A strong portfolio isn’t just about having nice-looking work—it’s about:
✅ Showing range – You need a mix of projects that prove you can handle different styles, industries, and formats.
✅ Demonstrating strategy – Employers aren’t just looking for cool visuals. They want to see that you can solve problems and create intentional designs.
✅ Making it easy to navigate – If your portfolio is cluttered, confusing, or takes forever to load, you’ve already lost them.
✅ Positioning yourself for the right jobs – If you want to be a motion designer, but your portfolio is filled with print design, you’re not attracting the right opportunities.
Your portfolio should work for you, not against you. If it’s not getting you interviews, it needs a revamp.
I help designers create high-converting portfolios that don’t just sit in a Google Drive folder but actually land jobs. And trust me—if you get this right, you can bypass the whole “apply to 500 jobs and pray” strategy.
Proven Strategies to Enhance Job Search Success
The traditional way of applying to jobs? Broken. Instead of endlessly sending applications, try these proven strategies to get hired faster:
1. Build a Portfolio That Converts
We already talked about this, but it’s worth repeating. Make sure your portfolio:
Shows your best work upfront
Includes case studies (explain the problem, your process, and the outcome)
Is easy to navigate (simple categories, no unnecessary fluff)
Has a clear call to action (how can someone hire you?)
2. Stop Applying the Traditional Way
Instead of sending your resume into the void:
Find companies you actually want to work for and research their hiring managers.
Reach out directly via email or LinkedIn with a personalized message.
Show how you can add value to their team with a mini pitch or portfolio sample.
3. Give Companies a Call
Most designers don’t do this, but it works. If a company is hiring (or even if they’re not), pick up the phone. Introduce yourself, mention your interest in the company, and ask if they’re open to reviewing your portfolio. The worst they can say is no. The best? You land an interview just because you took the initiative.
4. Leverage Your Network
Most creative jobs aren’t filled through job postings—they’re filled through connections. If you’re not actively networking, you’re making your job search way harder than it needs to be.
Reach out to past clients, colleagues, or even old professors.
Post about your job search on LinkedIn.
Attend virtual or local industry events.
5. Showcase Your Work in the Right Places
Employers don’t just look at your website—they check social media, Behance, Dribbble, and even Twitter. Make sure your best work is visible across platforms.
6. Position Yourself as an Expert
If you’re struggling to get noticed, start creating content around your skills. Share design tips, case studies, or behind-the-scenes looks at your process. This builds credibility and attracts opportunities to you instead of you chasing them.
This approach gets you hired faster than applying to hundreds of jobs and hoping for a response. And if you need help building a portfolio that actually lands you interviews, let’s talk. I help creatives like you design portfolios that showcase your value, attract the right jobs, and cut through the noise.
15 Creative Careers to Consider
If you love graphic design but aren’t sure what roles to target, here are 16 career paths that align with your skills. Whether you want to work in branding, digital media, or marketing, there’s something here for you.
1. Motion Graphic Designer
What They Do: Create animated visuals for ads, websites, social media, and video content.
Impact: Helps brands capture attention through dynamic storytelling.
Key Skills: After Effects, Premiere Pro, animation principles, typography, branding.
Project Examples: Social media animations, explainer videos, animated infographics, branded motion graphics for marketing campaigns.
2. 3D Designer & Animator
What They Do: Develop three-dimensional visuals for entertainment, advertising, or product design.
Impact: Brings products, characters, and concepts to life in digital or physical spaces.
Key Skills: Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D, texturing, rendering, animation.
Project Examples: 3D product mockups, character animations, architectural renderings, game assets.
3. Brand & Marketing Designer
What They Do: Create a company’s brand identity, marketing materials, and visual communication.
Impact: Helps businesses establish a recognizable brand and attract customers.
Key Skills: Logo design, typography, layout design, brand strategy, print and digital marketing.
Project Examples: Logo suites, brand style guides, marketing campaigns, print collateral (flyers, brochures, business cards).
4. UX/UI Designer
What They Do: Design the user experience and interface for websites, apps, and digital products.
Impact: Ensures digital experiences are intuitive, visually appealing, and user-friendly.
Key Skills: Figma, Adobe XD, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, accessibility design.
Project Examples: Website and app design, e-commerce interfaces, dashboard design, SaaS platforms.
5. Interior Designer (Visual & Spatial Design)
What They Do: Plan and execute interior spaces for aesthetics and functionality.
Impact: Enhances living and workspaces for better usability and visual appeal.
Key Skills: SketchUp, AutoCAD, spatial design, color theory, material selection.
Project Examples: Home renovations, commercial interiors, retail displays, set designs.
6. Digital Advertising & Marketing Specialist
What They Do: Design and execute digital marketing campaigns, including ads, email, and SMS.
Impact: Drives engagement and sales through well-crafted marketing visuals and strategies.
Key Skills: Facebook Ads, Google Ads, Klaviyo, email design, analytics.
Project Examples: Ad creatives, email campaigns, social media ads, promotional banners.
7. Social Media Content Creator & Strategist
What They Do: Design and strategize content for social media platforms to boost engagement.
Impact: Helps brands grow their audience and connect with customers.
Key Skills: Canva, Photoshop, video editing, copywriting, social media trends.
Project Examples: Instagram graphics, carousel posts, TikTok/Reels edits, branded content strategies.
8. Web Designer & Developer
What They Do: Design and build websites that are visually appealing and functional.
Impact: Helps businesses establish a strong online presence.
Key Skills: HTML, CSS, WordPress, Squarespace, Webflow, SEO.
Project Examples: Business websites, e-commerce stores, portfolio sites, landing pages.
9. Packaging Designer
What They Do: Design packaging that protects, informs, and visually attracts customers.
Impact: Helps products stand out on shelves and online.
Key Skills: Illustrator, dielines, material selection, branding, sustainability considerations.
Project Examples: Food & beverage packaging, beauty product boxes, sustainable packaging designs.
10. Event & Experiential Designer
What They Do: Create branding, signage, and immersive experiences for live events.
Impact: Transforms events into memorable brand experiences.
Key Skills: Large-format design, spatial planning, print production, stage design.
Project Examples: Trade show booths, event signage, branded pop-up experiences.
11. Editorial & Publication Designer
What They Do: Design layouts for books, magazines, reports, and digital publications.
Impact: Communicates information visually in a structured, readable format.
Key Skills: InDesign, typography, layout design, grid systems.
Project Examples: Magazine spreads, e-books, coffee table books, corporate reports.
12. Video Editor & Multimedia Specialist
What They Do: Edit videos and create multimedia content for brands and businesses.
Impact: Brings stories to life through engaging visual storytelling.
Key Skills: Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, color grading, sound design.
Project Examples: Commercials, YouTube videos, brand storytelling videos, short-form social content.
13. Marketing & Communications Manager
What They Do: Oversee brand messaging and marketing efforts across various channels.
Impact: Ensures consistency in how a brand communicates with its audience.
Key Skills: Content strategy, email marketing, public relations, campaign management.
Project Examples: Social media campaigns, press releases, brand messaging strategies.
14. Project Manager for Creative Teams
What They Do: Oversee timelines, budgets, and collaboration between designers, clients, and stakeholders.
Impact: Keeps creative projects running smoothly and on schedule.
Key Skills: Asana, Trello, team communication, deadline management, budgeting.
Project Examples: Coordinating design sprints, managing creative teams, leading rebrands.
15. Illustration & Merchandise Designer
What They Do: Create custom illustrations for brands, books, or merchandise.
Impact: Adds artistic and unique visuals to products and campaigns.
Key Skills: Procreate, Illustrator, screen printing, vector illustration.
Project Examples: T-shirt designs, brand mascots, illustrated books, merchandise for businesses.
If any of these careers sound like your dream job, the next step is building a portfolio that actually gets you hired. Instead of aimlessly applying to jobs, position yourself as the perfect candidate for the roles you want by showcasing strategic, high-quality work in your portfolio.
If you need help designing a portfolio that converts, I can help you through the process. Whether you’re shifting careers, freelancing, or aiming for full-time roles, a targeted portfolio makes all the difference.
How to Tailor Your Portfolio for These Roles
Now that you know what career paths are out there, the next step is building a portfolio that actually gets you hired. Your portfolio isn’t just a collection of pretty designs—it’s proof that you can do the job.
Here’s how to tailor your portfolio for different roles and stand out:
1. Align Your Work with the Role You Want
If you want to be a Motion Graphic Designer, your portfolio should showcase animated projects, not just static designs. If you’re aiming for UX/UI Design, don’t just show website mockups—include wireframes, user flows, and research insights.
Make it obvious that you’re the perfect fit for the job.
2. Show Your Process, Not Just the Final Work
Employers want to see how you think. Add case studies that break down:
✅ The problem you were solving
✅ Your design approach
✅ The results and impact
This is what separates a strong portfolio from a forgettable one.
3. Keep It Focused & Easy to Navigate
Having 10 random projects won’t impress anyone—having 5 highly relevant, well-explained projects will. Make sure your portfolio is:
✔ Clear – Easy to navigate with an obvious job title and specialty
✔ Concise – Every project should have a purpose
✔ Actionable – Include a call to action (how to contact you)
If your portfolio is confusing, employers will move on.
4. Add Personal Projects to Fill Gaps
If you don’t have client work for your dream role, create mock projects that showcase your skills. Want to be a Brand Designer? Redesign an existing brand. Want to do event design? Mock up a trade show booth for a company you admire.
You don’t need clients to prove you can do the work.
5. Make It Easy to Contact You
You’d be surprised how many portfolios don’t have a clear way to reach out. Make sure you include:
📩 A contact form or email address
🔗 Links to LinkedIn, Instagram, or Behance (where applicable)
🛠 A call to action like "Let’s work together—reach out today!"
If a recruiter loves your work but can’t find your email, you just lost an opportunity.
The job market is tough, but there’s a better way to get hired than submitting endless applications and hearing nothing back.
1️⃣ Figure out what roles excite you. There’s more to graphic design than just “Graphic Designer.”
2️⃣ Tailor your portfolio to match the jobs you want. No more scattered, random work.
3️⃣ Use strategic outreach. Don’t just apply—network, call companies, and get in front of decision-makers.
A strong, strategic portfolio makes it way easier to land your dream creative job—without wasting months on job boards.
🚀 Want to land a creative job faster? I help designers like you create high-converting portfolios that make hiring managers take notice.
Here’s how I can help:
✅ Portfolio audits – Get expert feedback on your portfolio & strategy
✅ Portfolio design – Let’s build a stunning, high-converting portfolio together
✅ Job search coaching – Learn the proven strategy to get hired faster
Ready to stand out and start getting interviews? Let’s make it happen. Book a free discovery call today!
