Graphic Designer
Shape how an idea looks, from identity and packaging to campaigns and digital products.
Save this career to see your personalized pathway in My Senda.
- Typical pay
- €28k–€52k
- Usual education
- Degree or portfolio
- Outlook
- Competitive at entry level; the strongest route in is a specific, opinionated portfolio.
A day in the life
Briefs, sketching, iterating in design software, presenting work and taking feedback without taking it personally.
Ways in
- Design degree
- Creative apprenticeship
- Self-taught plus freelance portfolio
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Artes
Belgium
KSO – Artistic secondary
A common destination for students on this track.
Portugal
Línguas e Humanidades
France
Bac technologique
Italy
Liceo classico / scienze umane
Netherlands
Profiel Cultuur & Maatschappij
Skills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
BA Graphic Design
Typography, branding and visual storytelling with a portfolio focus.
Portfolio-led and directly relevant.
Helpful school subjects: Art, Design
BA Advertising & Brand Communications
Campaign strategy, copy and creative direction.
If you lean towards advertising.
Helpful school subjects: English, Art, Business
Graphic Design and Print (Grado Superior)
Layout, typography, branding and pre-press production.
Layout, typography and pre-press, portfolio included.
Helpful school subjects: Typography, Layout, Branding
Places that hire for this
Bliss Applications
Portfolio-led internships in digital product and interface design.
Dentsu Creative
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Fundação de Serralves
Volunteering and internships in exhibitions, education and events.
Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian
Scholarships and traineeships across museum, music and grants programmes.
Havas
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Inditex (Zara)
Brand, packaging and store communication design.
Mango
Brand and packaging design in-house.
Media.Monks
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Nerd Monkeys
Tiny indie studio; a strong portfolio matters more than a degree.
Ogilvy
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.