What are employers looking for in a graphic designer these days?

squareballoon

Hi everyone, my first time posting here (I'm usually in the photography board). I used to work as a lead graphic designer back in the late 90s and it seems to me that so much has changed the business isn't recognisable now to what it was then.
I'm looking to get back into graphic design full time again but I think I need to upskill. Do graphic designers now need to be able to code too? I have a limited knowledge of html and am using it to adapt templates in Dreamweaver but I don't think I have the mindset of a coder.
I don't have a graphic design qualification, my degree is in animation. I've been applying to companies online but nothing yet. I'm wondering if perhaps my online portfolio is too jack-of-all-trades to be hired specifically as a designer? Would love any thoughts on what companies are looking for when they advertise for a graphic design post now.
Lynn

ladiesman217

Hi Lynn. Personally I don't feel a Designer needs to have a deep understanding of code, there are enough good CMS out there to such as Squarespace, that cater for Designers that don't code. You will fined that some jobs will require to have a knowledge of code and other elements that kind of cover to job descriptions. A designer at their core are problem solvers, using the power of design thinking to solve business problems. It can be very easy to fined a mac monkey, but a Designer who can think with clarity and creativity can sometimes be hard to fined. The Graphic design scene has changed a good bit since the 90's in-terms of technology and tools assayable to designers, but I feel the tools to solve problem have not. In a studio a Designer will work as part of a team, and may not need to code, just formulate psd's to be coded. Your site has some good work, but yes you are right the jack of all trades does stand out. Focus on one element, be it brand identities or web development .Identity work includes all elements that you have on your site, but maybe you need to show that you specialise in identity work. best of luck with it, what your doing is a key element for "every" business, so keep plugging away. Good design is good business.

squareballoon

Thank you so much for getting back to me with such a detailed reply! I'm sorry for not saying thank you before now. You've given me a lot to think about and I really appreciate it.

beauf

Being able to code allows you to do a wider selection of roles. Though I would say if you don't want to code, I wouldn't rush to get into it, if its not your thing. You'll just be unhappy. If you want to do it then great. Code away. But you'll need some functionality on your site that demonstrates your coding skills.

I really like your work on that website. Clean crisp professional. My only slight criticism is that you don't seem to have an identifiable style, that would make you stand out from other designers. You need to be memorable from 200 other designers.

As for job hunting always target the CV and portfolio to the role you're going for. A generic CV/Website I also suggest broadening your scope. Most of the creative types I know source a lot of their from the UK and future. They don't just look in Ireland.

abstrakt82

nice portfolio.

honestly, i think that design is moving so much towards digital that a basis in front end code os becoming essential. almost all jobs ask for it now. i am learning it myself atm

i know the title of this is "web designer" rather than graphic designer, but most work will need to be online in some way these days, so have a read. i think it gives good insight into the future, and what we, as designers, will need to know in order to survive

ympanus.net/codrops/2013/09/23/so-youre-a-web-designer-right/