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Graphic Designer Job Description Template

A ready to edit graphic designer job description that covers the work, the tools, the portfolio you want to see and who reviews it. Copy it, fill in the brackets, or have HRStak draft one for your company.

Free to use. No account needed to copy the template.

Quick answer. A graphic designer job description works when it names the kind of work, print, web, social or packaging, the tools used and how designs get approved. It should also ask for a portfolio. The template below describes that work and leaves pay, hours, brand details and software in brackets, because only you know them.

§01 Template

The graphic designer job description, ready to edit.

Copy the text, then fill in each highlighted bracket. A bracket marks a blank only you can fill, such as the pay, the hours or who the role reports to.

Want a version written for your company? Draft it in the free generator, prefilled with this role.

Template

Graphic Designer

About the role

[Company name] is hiring a Graphic Designer to create [types of work such as social graphics, brochures, packaging or web assets] for our [brand or team]. You will turn briefs into finished designs, keep our brand consistent and work with [marketing, product or sales team]. You will report to [manager title].

Responsibilities

  • Design [types of work] from a brief, and deliver files ready for print or web.
  • Follow and protect our brand guidelines, and update templates and style files as the brand grows.
  • Work with writers, marketers and managers to understand goals, audience and deadlines.
  • Present concepts, take feedback and revise within the agreed number of rounds.
  • Prepare final files in the right sizes and formats and hand them to [printer, developer or social team].
  • Manage several projects at once and keep a clear status for each in [project tool you use].
  • Source or edit photos and illustrations, using only images we have the rights to use.
  • Organize design files and assets so others can find and reuse them.

Requirements

  • [Number] or more years of graphic design experience.
  • A portfolio that shows finished work similar to [types of work].
  • Skill in [design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud or Figma].
  • Strong layout, typography and color sense.
  • Experience preparing files for [print, web or social].
  • Ability to take feedback calmly and meet deadlines.

Nice to have

  • Motion graphics or simple video editing.
  • Photography or photo retouching.
  • Experience with packaging, signage or trade show materials.
  • Basic familiarity with web design or [website platform you use].

Pay, schedule and benefits

Hours: [days and hours, onsite, hybrid or remote]. Pay: [pay range or rate]. Benefits: [short summary]. Equal opportunity statement: [use the wording your HR or legal advisor provides].

§02 Make it yours

Three decisions that make this posting specific to you.

Describe the real mix of work

A designer who makes social posts all week and one who builds print catalogs need different skills. List the three or four kinds of work that fill most of the schedule.

Decide how you want to see skill

Ask for a portfolio link and say what to include, such as three finished projects with a short note on the goal. Some employers add a small paid test project. If you do, keep it short and say that it is paid.

Explain how approval works

Tell candidates who gives feedback, how many rounds are normal and how long reviews take. A designer with one clear approver does better work than one with six.

§03 Levels

How the graphic designer posting changes by level.

Adjust the template for the level you are hiring. These are common patterns, so match them to how your own team defines each level.

LevelCommon titlesWhat changes in the posting
EntryJunior Graphic Designer, Production DesignerBuilds assets from existing templates and brand rules, resizes files and works under an art director.
MidGraphic Designer, Marketing DesignerDesigns full projects from a brief, presents concepts and manages their own deadlines.
SeniorSenior Graphic Designer, Art Director, Design LeadSets creative direction, owns the brand system, guides junior designers and presents to leadership.

§04 Mistakes

Mistakes to cut from a graphic designer posting.

Skipping the portfolio request

A resume cannot show design skill. Ask for a portfolio or work samples in the posting, and say what you want to see.

Listing every software program

Name the two or three tools the designer will use daily. A long list of every Adobe product makes the job sound unfocused.

Asking for unpaid test work

A large free project is a poor way to treat strong candidates and many will decline it. Use their existing portfolio, or pay for the test.

§05 Questions

Frequently asked questions.

What does a graphic designer do?

A graphic designer creates visual materials such as logos, social graphics, brochures, packaging and web assets. They turn a brief into finished files that match the brand and are ready for print or screen.

What is the difference between a graphic designer and a UX designer?

A graphic designer focuses on visual communication such as layout, type and imagery. A UX designer focuses on how a digital product works for its users, including flows and testing.

What skills should I ask for in a graphic designer?

Layout, typography, color, a strong portfolio and skill in the tools you use. Add file preparation for your main output, such as print or web.

Should the posting include pay?

Candidates look for it first, and some places have rules about posting pay ranges. Check the rules where you hire, and put the range in the bracketed pay field of the template.

Ready for sign off

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