Contract Graphic Designer Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the job description of a contract graphic designer, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they typically perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you will be expected to meet to be hired for the contract graphic designer role.  

(You will be able to download the contract graphic designer job description template in pdf below.)

What Does a Contract Graphic Designer Do?

A contract graphic designer is one who works on design projects on a freelance basis and is responsible for creating visual elements for websites, advertisements, marketing materials, and several other visual assets that may be required by clients.

They may also work on branding campaigns or assist a company or an organization to rebrand or enhance its image or representation with new logos and images.

In other words, a contract graphic designer can be described as an individual who is an independent contractor and is responsible for developing and designing original solutions with a high visual impact for his or her clients.

Contract graphic designers are expected to complete a range of important tasks in their day-to-day activities.

One of the common activities of a contract graphic designer is networking, where he or she interacts with various personnel at different occasions to exchange information and develop or boost his or her professional contacts.

Another activity that is carried out by a contract graphic designer is to seek projects, which involves creating awareness and searching for available graphic design jobs.

He or she may contribute to open-sourced projects and may also seek projects through several freelancing platforms, such as Fiverr, Freelancer, and Upwork.

Contract graphic designers also carry out the duty of negotiating fees after they have successfully found a client and have agreed to work on a project.

They must also negotiate project requirements with their clients to determine the specific needs of the particular project and to ascertain that their design conforms with the client’s specifications.

Another duty of a contract graphic designer is to develop new ideas, which may involve coming up with innovative ways to solve design problems or giving suggestions and recommendations to clients on how to reach out to their target audience.

A contract graphic designer should also submit solutions to clients before finalizing a design or concept, and also ensure that all projects are completed in time, as contract graphic designers usually work within given time frames.

Individuals desiring to work as a contract graphic designer must demonstrate certain skills and qualities that will enable them to be efficient and effective on the job.

They include customer service skills, excellent interpersonal skills, well-developed written and verbal communication skills, detail-oriented mind, analytical skills, good time management skills, the ability to multitask, computer proficiency and in-depth knowledge of relevant graphic design tools or software, and the ability to be creative and innovative.

The academic qualifications required to be a contract graphic designer usually entails having a Bachelor’s degree with a major course work in Graphic Arts, Visual Arts, or a relevant field.

Another path to becoming a contract graphic designer may be to take a professional course that offers certification in a graphic design field.

Several years of professional experience and a strong portfolio of graphic design projects completed are usually very much preferred by clients.

Contract Graphic Designer Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The contract graphic designer job description usually consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Creating and designing illustration concepts from sketches and relevant tools, such as Adobe Photoshop.
• Carrying out design projects with the use of computer software, such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, AdobeInDesign, or other related tools.
• Marketing of services to attract new clients.
• Staying current on the latest trends in graphic design development.
• Networking to enhance professional contacts.
• Negotiating fees and also discussing project requirements with clients.

Download contract graphic designer job description template (pdf)

Contract Graphic Designer Job Description for Resume

If you have some work experience as a contract graphic designer or are presently handling the role and you are making a resume or CV for a new job, then you can craft a compelling Professional Experience for the resume by applying the contract graphic designer job description sample presented above.

You can express the duties you have performed or are currently carrying out as a contract graphic designer in the Professional Experience part of your resume by using the ones in the above job description contract graphic designer.

This will show to the recruiter/employer that you have been effective in performing the duties of  a contract graphic designer and so will be successful on the new job that you are seeking, especially if it requires having some contract graphic designer work experience.

Contract Graphic Designer Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Career Success

Some of the essential skills and qualifications that are required to be a contract graphic designer and to be effective on the job include:

• Good analytical skills, as a contract graphic designer must be able to view projects from the perspectives of his or her clients and consumers.
• Time management and endurance skills, as he or she must complete projects within given deadlines.
• Excellent multitasking skills, since a contract graphic designer must be able to work on multiple projects at the same time.
• Strong interpersonal skills which enable him or her to network and liaise with clients effectively.
• Strong and well-developed portfolio.
• Several years of professional experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts or Visual Arts, or in other related discipline.

Conclusion

A contract graphic designer is an independent contractor that helps to develop original solutions for his or her clients, and it can be considered a lucrative and important job as more brands and entrepreneurs hire independent contract graphic designers to enhance their image.

This post is helpful to both individuals interested in becoming contract graphic designer and employers/recruiters seeking to hire competent individuals for the role.

They can apply the content of this post in learning about what contract graphic designers do and to make effective job description for the position.