Building a Graphic Design Career in Kenya
Graphic design is a promising career. It is suitable for creative individuals with inherent passion of arts, communication, and technology. The rapidly growing firms has different design needs, that quests for many graphic designers. Graphic designers are exposed to many job opportunities in favorably competitive environment. It is a fulfilling career that attracts a better pay, and hence sustainable living. Remember, a career in graphic design allows to apply classroom knowledge in the real job market. Many companies are looking for reliable designers with quality training to fulfil they design needs. Ikigai college helps you to acquire real world experience through industry attachments and occasional site visits.
With proper training in graphic design you will be able to venture and thrive in this industry. For that reason, Ikigai college emphasizes on hands on training to help you get all the necessary skills you will need to exercise this profession.
Career path for Graphic designers
Graphic design is key marketing especially in the modern industry. Many companies hires graphic designers to increase workplace value. However, graphic designer demands varies in different companies depending on they industry. In this digital era, there is high demand of graphic designers in organizations dealing with computer systems.
The industry accommodates many designers to work web development, user interface (UI) design, and user experience (UI). However, the role of graphic designers has declined greatly in the publishing sector. As a graphic designer, you may end up working for agencies, medium sized, and large companies.
Further, you may also decide to work as a freelancer under self employment terms either on full time or part time basis depending on your availability. Graphic design is a flexible yet a lucrative career that allows you to exercise this profession besides other jobs.
Average salary of a graphic designer
The average salary of graphic designers varies depending on other factors that includes competition, country, education status, workplace experience, and current market status. In most cases their salary ranges around $19,000 to $ 103,000 per year. Chief executive officers, creative directors, art directors and other higher ranking professions earns relatively higher compared to other workers.
Similarly, the average salary of beginners is relatively low compared to those professions who have been in this industry for many years. For example, a creative director may earn average salary of $100, 000 annually. With diverse sectors, companies, and user experience; graphic designers needs to expect varying salaries.
Graphic design is one of the best paying career that allows for a good living. Ikigai college of interior design mentors most proficient designers who are easily employed in this industry. Creativity and strong passion in graphic design will help you prevail in this industry and make a better pay compared to your peers.
Why you need to enroll for a career in graphic design
Graphic design is a marketable career that attracts many job opportunities. Graphic designers are hired to communicate the brand ideas and stories visually that helps to attract many clients.
Many companies wants graphic designers to boost brand awareness that helps in increasing market coverage. Graphic designers needs to use their skills and creativity to ensure their have met all clients expectations well. They are focused to develop high quality functional designs that exceed client’s needs. If you are quite creative, then this is the best deal because success in graphic design depends on your creativity, and overall commitment in this profession.
Again, if your are keen enroll for a career in graphic design that needs to pay attention to details necessary to grasp quality classroom knowledge and workplace experience that will help you practice this profession.
Besides, we have Ikigai college of interior design that gives you all the necessary resources you need in graphic design studies.
Role of graphic designers
Graphic designers are individuals who creates eye catching designs that meets clients expectations. They use different visual elements that includes graphics, images, and arts in projects to deliver intent messages.
Graphic designers are responsible for branding, advertisement, product packaging, web design, book design, print production, and logos. However, graphic designers primary role is to design projects according to clients specific needs. With that, graphic designers needs to determine project appearance, purpose, and overall goal.
Graphic designers may be required to work directly with clients or with other creative people. Graphic designers starts by crafting a rough draft either by hands or using computer aided programs and tools. Once, their have completed the rough draft, designers use tools and technology to create visual impressions that transmit messages through art and photos.
Therefore, graphic designers serves to present clients ideas and thoughts in well articulated designs.
Main tools used by graphic designers
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe illustrator
- Affinity designer
- Canva
- Adobe InDesign
Graphic designers duties and responsibilities
- Determine clients design needs by assessing the entire project
- Establish suitable strategies that will help reach out to target audience.
- Create images that convey intent message and identify a product.
- Choose layout, text, style, color, and images for specific design projects.
- Develop graphics for websites, logos, and product illustrations.
- Advise clients on ideal designs that meets their business brand expectations
- Present design projects to art director or clients.
- Review designs and incorporate necessary changes before submitting final design.
Why graphic design is a good career choice

Here are some of the typical reasons that makes graphic design a good career;
- Good Graphic designers are among the best earning professions with higher salary compared to other arts.
- High employment opportunities. Graphic designers are easily assimilated in the job market because of vast growth in digital and creative industry
- Wide range of opportunities. Graphic designers can work in different industries that includes office, hospitals and several others with computer related systems.
- Supports growth and development. It is good profession that allows for skills improvement from beginners to higher ranking positions like creative director.
- Helps you collaborate with best companies namely; Microsoft, google, Twitter, Facebook, Monster, and LinkedIn.
Who can enroll for a career in graphic design?
In Kenya, anyone with a high school certificate can enroll for graphic design. Ikigai college accepts all entry grades for a short course in graphic design. Graphic design is ideal for fresher who want to embark in this career and existing designers who want increase their specialty. With a mean grade of C- you can enroll for a diploma, and D+ for certificate course.
A course in graphic design helps you become a certified graphic designers who can work well in this industry. It helps you get certification for required skillset, knowledge, and graphic design employment standards. After graduation, you can start practicing as an internship or apprenticeship and rise to graphic designer position. Remember, you can venture in graphic design with a PASS certificate from an approved institution.
Important graphic design skills
- Creativity
- Keenness and attention to details
- Time management
- Problem solving skill
- Good communication skills
- Color theory
- Typography
- Branding
- Coding
- Interactive media
- Openness to new ideas.
- Knowledge on computer software and tools
Requirements for graphic designers
If you want to become a graphic designer this are some of the key factors you need to consider;
- Certification. If you want to embark on graphic design enroll for course in good institution like Ikigai college of interior design
- Creativity. Many companies aspire to employ passionate designers who are committed in their work and willing to deliver quality through engagement of creative skills.
- Solid portfolio. Reliable graphic designers needs to have a solid portfolio that shows their abilities and styles
- Computer skills. As a graphic designer you need to have vast computer knowledge on software like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe illustrator, core I draw, image editing, and animation.
- Ability to keep up with the current trends. Graphic design is a rapidly evolving career because it revolves around modern technologies and use of ever changing computer software.
Industries that hires graphic designers
- Web design corporates
- Media agencies
- Manufacturing companies
- Advertisement agencies
- Marketing industries
Winding up
Graphic designers are artistic individuals who converts illustrations, words, and photos into enviable designs. They serve to communicate intent messages with use of fonts, color, and imagery. Designers takes your organization onto the next level, hence it is definitely hard to stay without one. There are several factors that makes a good designer which includes quality education, strong portfolio, deeper understanding of computer software, and experience.
Graphic design is good career that draws many benefits that includes a good pay, high employment opportunities, improved creativity and many others. The job of graphic designer depends solely on client or company requirements. These professions are employed by many industries namely; marketing companies, software developers, web designers, and several others. Graphic design is a fulfilling career that suits creative individuals better.