Expertise in trending technical tools Designers use software to create images and infographics for social media, product mock-ups for marketing campaigns, logos for branding projects and even videos. The most commonly used software is Adobe Creative Cloud, especially Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator. Other available software, such as Affinity Designer and Xara Designer Pro X, but Adobe is the most popular in the U.S. They should also be familiar with which software can handle different resolutions, colors, and designs better. To gain proficiency in several Adobe software tools, you can pursue various Adobe Creative Cloud Training Courses available. In many cases, graphic designers are also expected to be proficient in using Mac products over PCs.

Also, newer technologies are becoming crucial to design agency work, such as 3D rendering, motion graphics, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality and artificial intelligence (AI). These cutting-edge technologies are being implemented in marketing campaigns and product testing and launching. While not all companies have adopted these higher-tech options, specializing in one or two of them, especially 3D rendering and motion graphics which are most commonly used in graphic design, can give your candidacy a competitive edge. As an up-and-coming graphic designer, you should keep an eye on these trending developments and how these could align with the needs of a particular brand or company. To keep yourself updated, make a habit of reading newspapers, articles and journals, and discuss trends with your colleagues or become a member of a professional design organization. Don’t forget to check the job listings of the roles you want so you prepare for the specific requirements of the company you‘re applying to.

Print designing Print media still holds an important place in the designing industry since magazines, newspapers and billboards are still being printed. Newer printing practices are also taking over the industry, such as the emergence of Print-on-Demand businesses, which add more methods to the market. Although not all graphic designing roles require you to work with art for printing, many are looking for someone qualified to work with Digital and Offset, Lithographic or Flexographic printing methods. The designers should develop a solid knowledge base of adequately setting up designs for different printing methods because companies specialize in printable products or use multiple processes. As a graphic designer, you can expect to be familiar with how to adjust the resolution, size, colors, file type, bleed and crop marks for the method and product your company uses. A graphic designer who oversees the print quality of designs printed on T-shirts and mugs will have different expertise than a graphic designer who works in creating and preparing books and pamphlets. However, employers tend to search for designers who are familiar with multiple printing processes instead of just being an expert in one type of process. You can develop expertise in print designing by referring to various books available on user experience, online tutorials, training and courses. Some examples are the Print and Digital Elements of Design Course offered by Coursera or the Flexography certifications provided by the Flexographic Technical Association.

Advertising and marketing knowledge Many graphic design roles are found in marketing and advertising agencies, so familiarity with industry standards is necessary. Branding knowledge is important because designers create assets that represent a company's mission. For example, branding allows consumers to recognize Nike by seeing their curved check-mark logo and their “Just do it” slogan, as well as Skittles’ “Taste the rainbow”

Photography Many graphic designers either shoot subjects for their campaigns or work with photographers to do it for them. This is especially important for graphic designer roles in the marketing department of a company. Creating unique photo assets for ads and social media posts can be part of the designer’s responsibilities. Some companies require you to prepare the photoshoot and take the pictures yourself, while other roles expect you to set up the photo shoot or communicate your vision to the team taking the pictures. But you can’t tell someone what to do if you don’t know how to do it yourself. That’s why knowing how to communicate changes in exposure, contrast, saturation, and other camera settings can help you and your co-workers come up with quality images.

Creative problem-solving Your creativity brings a company’s vision to life. Thinking outside the box, finding sources of inspiration, and executing complex design ideas are just some of the duties of any graphic design role.

Organizational and time management Prioritizing tasks when working on multiple projects simultaneously and staying motivated throughout is a critical skill to keep working. . If you can learn how to be organized, you’ll be able to meet all your deadlines and maintain your company’s productivity goals. Not only that, but a good organizational process can help you maintain all the files for multiple assets in place and top-of-mind.

Oral and written communication skills Graphic designers collaborate with multiple departments, clients, and managers. Also, storytelling is a crucial skill for a successful designer because it makes the content they create connect with the customer on an emotional and personal level, which leads to better conversions because customers are more willing to purchase. Thus, it produces better results in the marketing campaigns they are working on.

Eye for detail Knowing what customers will find aesthetically pleasing is just as important as knowing how to use the design software. That’s why, besides being an expert at visual design theories, such as color theory, visual hierarchy, typography, and composition, you must also understand what will be considered visually pleasing to the eyes of the target customer

Spotlight your skills: Graphic design needs a high level of technical and creative skills. Choose these skills carefully to suit the job description.

Make your resume SEO-optimized: Some companies use software to scan resumes called an applicant tracking system (ATS). It scans for certain keywords they are looking for. Make sure you have the ones they listed in the job description on your resume.

Include your portfolio: Always make sure that you have a link to your portfolio of accumulated work. Working in the design industry employers are keen on seeing past work and your capabilities.