Graphic Design
Graphic Design
Graphic design is the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience, especially to produce a specific, often aesthetic pleasing effect. In other words, graphic design is communication design; It’s a way of conveying ideas through visuals and design. Often these designs are used on packaging, logos, and displays.
Job Title Examples:
- Creative Director
- Art Director
- Art Production Manager
- Illustrator
- Layout Artist
Skills Needed:
- Computer skills
- Creativity
- Drawing/Design skills
- Organizational skills
Find Opportunities
Using IrishCompass, LinkedIn, and ND’s alumni association directory called myND is the best way to start on the networking front.
Job Databases:
Please note, it’s common for companies in this industry to post directly to their own website’s employment pages - it’s recommended to also check these for opportunities.
- Career Shift
- VCD postings from AIGA
- Coroflot
- KROP: Connecting Creatives with Companies
- Freelance Job Board
- Leading Job Board for Designers, Developers & Creative Pros
- Behance: Joblist & Portfolio site
- Handshake
- Dribble
Industry Timeline
It is important to note that this industry may not be as active during the standard on-campus recruiting periods. Employers in these fields may operate on a different schedule based on full-time and internship needs.
Applying and Interviewing
Resumes
Your resume will often be the first impression for a potential employer. You want to make sure that your resume is concise, direct, and specific. Ensure that your resume is tailored for the position and for the industry. Highlighting relevant coursework can demonstrate your fit for a particular position. Review our guide on resumes for more information on how to construct one.
Cover Letters
A cover letter introduces you to a potential employer. Use the position description to make specific connections between your skills and experience and what the organization is looking for in a candidate. The cover letter should be concise and well-written—if a potential employer reads your cover letter and is intrigued, they will then read your resume. Your cover letter should not repeat your resume verbatim, but enhance it. Together the cover letter and resume can help land you an interview. Review our guide on cover letters for more information on how to construct one.
Interviewing
Most interviews will contain a mixture of resume based questions (questions about your past experience) and behavioral based questions (your ability to handle prospective situations at work. Most positions will begin with an interview that has a mix of these questions. Review our guide on common interview questions.
Preparation is extremely important for interviews. Research the company/organization, current and previous projects they’ve worked on, and even the people that you’re interviewing with. This will not only help provide talking points but will show your knowledge and genuine interest in the position. Utilize our resources on how to best prepare yourself to excel in your interview.
Portfolio
Being able to show work examples is a key component when preparing to interview. This industry, most of the time, requires a robust portfolio including specific examples of writing, design, campaigns, and other relevant work to the industry. Tailoring your portfolio to the kind of work that the company that you’re applying to is important.
An online portfolio is a great resource to build over time that visually displays the work that you have done. There are several online platforms to build your own website such as square space or wix. Having a well made online portfolio or website will help you to stand out and provide employers easy access to view your work.
Online Resources
Explore:
- Overview of Design
- Specifics of Being a Graphic Designer
- What is Design? (AIGA)
- Design Careers 101
- Detailed Graphic Design skills, tasks, interests
- AIGA Career Guide
- Graphic Design Profile
Professional Associations:
- The Professional Association for Design
- User Experience Professional Association
- AIGA Chapters - Get Involved in a City Near You
- Interaction Design Association
- Museum Exhibit Professionals
Blog/Podcasts:
- Design Matters
- Dribble - Discover the World's Top Designers & Creatives
- The Observatory - Design Podcast
- Topics on Everything Design
- Top 20 Blogs/Resources for UX Designers (updated 2018)
- 99% Invisible - Unnoticed Design that Shapes our World
- The Design of Business
- Deeply Graphic Design Design Cast
Campus Resources
Career Counselor:
Maureen Baska
Assistant Director
Schedule an Appointment
Student Clubs & Organizations:
- American Advertising Federation Chapter (ACND)
- American Institute of Architecture Students-University of Notre Dame Chapter (AIAS-ND)
- Anthropology Club, Notre Dame
- App Club
- Art History Club
- Black Cultural Arts Council
-
Calligraphy Club of Notre Dame
Computer Club, Notre Dame - Design For America @dfanotredame (Facebook)
- Economics Club of Notre Dame
- Fashion Club of Notre Dame
- Industrial Design Society of America (Notre Dame chapter)
- The Juggler
- Marketing Club, University of Notre Dame Undergraduate
- Media Industry Club
- National Organization of Minority Architecture Students of Notre Dame
- National Society of Black Engineers
- Notre Dame Sewing Club (NDSC)
- Notre Dame Television (NDtv) (Organization)
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Club (SFFC)
- Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), Notre Dame Chapter
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Notre Dame (SHPE ND)
- Society of Women Engineers
- Students for Classical Architecture, Notre Dame Chapter (SCA-ND)
- Students for New Urbanism
- Themed Entertainment Association at Notre Dame (TEA)
Employer Examples:
- IBM
- BrandMuscle
- Radio Flyer
- FCB Global
- Intouch Solutions
- Slalom
- VSA Partners
Join Handshake:
Personalize your feed, explore your curiosities, and get updates that matter to you. Handshake is a dynamic system that works to match students with the most relevant resources and opportunities offered by our office including:
- Access to personalized job recommendations – This is based on major, career interests, and profile information such as skills and experiences. When students fill out their profile, they’ll be able to see jobs and internships that match their interests and skills.
- Ability to schedule one–on-one counseling appointments – Counseling appointments are able to be scheduled through Handshake and held virtually via Zoom.
- Ability to Interact with employers – Students can research contact information for local and national employers. Employers can also message students with opportunities and information.
- Connect with students across the country - Students can interact with their peers through messaging, get tips and advice, as well as network.
- Search for and apply to open positions - On Handshake, students can see jobs and internships posted specifically for them as well as employers actively recruiting from Notre Dame.