Design graduate jobs

Design graduate schemes are aimed at graduates who have just finished university and are on the lookout for entry level design jobs. Graduate schemes for designers tend to consist of a 1-3 year rotational training programme in which grads are given the opportunity to work in various areas of design, such as UX, UI, web, and product design. So, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in the design industry but aren’t sure what to specialise in, these schemes are a great way to gain the experience and skills you need to identify your area of interest.

Graduate design schemes are built to accelerate careers in design. Unlike traditional junior design jobs, graduate schemes allow graduates to work on projects from start to end, gaining hands-on experience with client liaison, working to deadlines, extensive multi-tasking, and wider team collaboration that is essential to senior design roles. By providing such opportunities, those on graduate schemes often transition to more senior design roles within the company they carried out your program with.

Beginning a graduate career in design can be a daunting task, but participating in a designer graduate scheme will enable you to gain a broad understanding of the design industry and gain a variety of useful design skills. This is the perfect way to kickstart your design career.

On the hunt for your dream graphic design graduate scheme? Register to our graduate jobs site to access the best UK graphic design jobs and digital designer roles!

The skills needed for graduate designer jobs depend on the particular requirements of each distinct role. However, there is a set of skills that are generally asked for by every employer looking to hire a graduate graphic designer.

All junior designer jobs will require a creative, detailed-oriented mindset and the ability to understand briefs. An essential component of all design industry jobs is creating content that aligns with the company’s or client’s brand identity and attracts the intended target audience. In this way, it’s an essential aspect of digital designer roles to not only be highly artistic but to also be commercially aware.

Being technically minded is also a necessary requirement of most junior graphic designer jobs. With the continuing move towards technology, a typical graphic designer job description will state the necessity of InDesign and Photoshop skills. It’s also beneficial with design jobs to have a basic understanding of web design and design software related to website development, like WordPress.

If you’re a creative, technically skilled graduate, you’re the perfect candidate for graduate graphic design jobs. If you’re unsure about what skills are required for a particular job, you can always check the job spec – for example, the skills required for a digital designer role will be listed in the digital designer job description.

If you’re not sure how to get your design career started, don’t worry! As the UK’s top graduate recruitment agency, our designer jobs board and specialist recruitment services can support your career journey.

The Give a Grad a Go team has over a decade of experience in early career recruitment, with our portfolio boasting a vast range of digital designer jobs at some of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses.

To launch your career, all you need to do is register a profile with us and upload your CV, before submitting applications to the design roles on our graduate jobs board. We ensure that every application is reviewed by a member of our recruitment team. If your skills and experience look right for the role, a recruiter will be in touch to talk you through the rest of the process.

Not sure which graduate design role is the right one for you? Feel free to get in contact with a member of our recruitment team – we’ll be happy to provide career advice, talk through grad job options, and support you with your job applications. With our team being made up of fellow graduates, we understand first-hand how hard it can be to determine the direction of your career. With expert guidance and top-class industry insights from our recruitment experts, you’ll have your job queries sorted in no time!

There are a wide variety of UK design jobs available for graduates across different industries. Here are some common types of design careers that graduates might consider:

• Graphic Designer: Graphic designers create visual content for various mediums, such as websites, advertisements, print materials, logos, and more. They combine typography, images, colour theory, and layout techniques to convey messages effectively.
• UI/UX Designer: UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) designers focus on creating user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces for digital products, such as websites, mobile apps, and software. They ensure that users have a seamless and enjoyable experience while interacting with these products.
• Product Designer: Product designers work on the design and development of physical products, focusing on aesthetics, functionality, and user experience. This can include anything from consumer electronics to household items.
• Game Designer: Game designers are responsible for creating the rules, mechanics, and overall experience of video games. They work on gameplay, level design, storytelling, and user engagement.

These are just a few examples of the many designer roles available to graduates. Each field requires a unique skill set and involves different tools and technologies. It’s important for graduates to explore as many designer opportunities as possible to find a position that matches their interests and strengths.

Freelance design jobs can be a good option for graduates, but they come with both benefits and challenges that should be carefully considered before pursuing this path.

Here are some factors to weigh when deciding if freelance design work is a good fit for you:

Benefits:

• Flexibility: Freelancing offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of work hours, location, and projects.
• Diverse Projects: Freelancers often work on a variety of projects for different clients, allowing them to gain exposure to various industries and build a diverse portfolio.
• Control Over Projects: Freelancers have more control over the types of projects they take on, allowing them to focus on the areas of design they are most passionate about.
• Potential Earnings: Depending on your skills, the demand for your work, and the rates you set, freelancing can offer the potential for higher earnings than traditional employment.

Challenges:

• Income Stability: Freelancers often experience irregular income, as work can be unpredictable and project-based.
• Client Management: Freelancers need to manage client relationships, which can include negotiating contracts, handling feedback, and addressing potential conflicts.
• Lack of Benefits: Freelancers typically do not have access to traditional employee benefits like pension plans, private health care schemes, and paid time off.
• Market Competition: The freelance market can be competitive, especially for newcomers. Building a client base and establishing your reputation can take time.

 

Whether the likes of freelance graphic design jobs are a good option varies from person to person. If you’re comfortable with the challenges and excited about the benefits, freelancing can provide a unique and rewarding career path.