Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images.

You must have a high school diploma and creative ability as demonstrated by a portfolio of your work.

You usually need a university degree in visual arts with a specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning, or a college/other program in graphic arts. As an illustrator, you may also need additional training in your area of specialization.

You may need experience or training in multimedia design at a college/post-secondary or technical institution.

With experience, you may move up the ranks to become a manager or senior designer.

Most recent entrants have a trade/vocational certificate or community college diploma, and almost 1 in 4 has an undergraduate university degree.