The majority of jobs that utilize design have the word “design” in the title! It’s a broad category, though. Design includes visual arts like animation, graphic design, and digital design. It also includes the art of creating systems, applications, and websites.
For a beginner, the first level of design jobs to jump into are Digital Designer, Graphic Designer, and Visual Designer. These positions all focus primarily on the digital form of visual art. These design roles use Adobe software to create graphics, logos, and promotional materials for companies or art for products and services. This ranges from cover art for video games to logos for Fortune500 companies and everything in between.
The next level of design jobs includes Designer and Design Director. These positions are for people who have experience in digital design. They’re broader and typically oversee other Designers. They also rely on Adobe software including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to create their work.
Motion Graphics Designers are also included in the design category. They combine the art of graphic design and animation to make moving graphics for videos, special effects for movies, and website animations. They work with Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Then, there are the positions that combine tech and design. Those roles are usually titled UI Designer, User Experience Designer, or Web Designer. These positions require an understanding of application design, user experience, and visual design. They rely on Sketch and Photoshop to create their designs. Web Designers, and some UX and UI Designer positions, also need to know coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Design theory is a great basis for any career in design, but won’t get you a job on its own. You’ll need to practice your craft, learn the software used for your specific niche, and build up a portfolio to land an actual design position.