52120 – Graphic designers and illustrators
Lead statement
Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this occupation.
Main duties
- Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs
- Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication
- Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients' objectives
- Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software
- Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design
- Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients' communications needs
- Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers
- Coordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CDs and interactive terminals
- Coordinate sub-contracting
- Work in a multidisciplinary environment
- Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians.
- Consult with clients to determine the nature and content of illustrations in order to meet their communications needs
- Develop and produce realistic or representational sketches and final illustrations, by hand or using computer-assisted design (CAD) software, for printed materials such as books, magazines, packaging, greeting cards and stationery
- Assist in developing storyboards for electronic productions such as multimedia, interactive and digital products and television advertising and productions
- Produce 2-D and 3-D animated drawings or computer illustrations
- May adapt existing illustrations.
Employment requirements
- A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning orcompletion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required.
- Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.
- Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
- In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators.
Example job titles
advertising designer · animated cartoon artist · cartoon film artist · 2D animator · 2D animation artist · multimedia designer · 3D modeler · package designer · cell animator · political caricaturist · fashion illustrator · illustrator · artistic illustrator · scientific illustrator · multimedia illustrator
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $20.00 | $31.25 | $52.88 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $19.23 | $25.00 | $38.75 |
| Nova Scotia | $21.15 | $28.85 | $45.64 |
| New Brunswick | $19.82 | $27.77 | $44.43 |
| Quebec | $20.00 | $30.00 | $51.28 |
| Ontario | $21.00 | $32.69 | $52.88 |
| Manitoba | $18.00 | $25.64 | $38.57 |
| Saskatchewan | $18.00 | $23.00 | $34.62 |
| Alberta | $18.00 | $26.30 | $45.19 |
| British Columbia | $24.04 | $35.00 | $57.69 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.