Graphic designer : Employers and vacancy sources

Graphic designers work in many sectors, but most are based in agencies specialising in advertising design or corporate communication. Other employers include publishers, design groups, magazines, multimedia companies, local government, computer games companies, educational establishments, television and the packaging industry.

If you are a graduate seeking your first job, smaller companies can provide the opportunity to build your portfolio and to gain an insight into the industry. Many large companies have their own in-house design teams.

This is a very competitive profession, partly because the supply of designers outstrips demand. The industry is slowly expanding, as demands for high-quality work are increasing. The development and wide availability of computer software enabling companies to produce their own stationery, for example, has removed the lower end of the market for graphic design work. However, there is still a demand for graphic designers, and those with experience and advanced skills are most likely to find employment.

Increasingly, work in web design or in multimedia is an alternative possibility.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Campaign  
• Creative Review   
• Design Week   
• Creativepool  
• Media Bugs    
• Guardian Jobs  

Useful directories include:

• Kompass Directories  
• Benn's Media Directory  
• The Marketing Manager's Yearbook  

Recruitment agencies commonly handle vacancies. See the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)  for the names of relevant agencies. Recruitment agencies also advertise in the trade press, or you can get a list from Chartered Society of Designers (CSD)  .

All Graphic Design  will provide you with lots of useful information if you are thinking of starting your career as a freelance designer.

Mad  and Devonshire  are also useful websites for vacancies.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.