Career Prospects in Graphic Design in Ireland in 2025 and Beyond

Graphic design is a rapidly evolving field. The latest technologies, software, and ever-changing client needs are enhancing the scope of work and opening up new opportunities for designers to grow and succeed.

Likewise, they are also making the job market more complex. Today, there’s a dire need for designers to develop and learn specialised digital and creative skills in this domain.

Ireland has a visually driven economy, where graphic design can be much more than a hobby or pastime activity. Here, graphic designers play a vital role in reshaping brands and user experiences.

This is where UCD Professional Academy comes in. We offer a comprehensive graphic design course designed to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of 2025 and beyond. 

Read on to learn about the career outlook for graphic designers and the different roles they can find as job opportunities in the field.

The Future of Graphic Design in Ireland: Trends and Opportunities

The demand for graphic designers varies by industry. Although the employment of graphic designers in the publishing industry is declining, there is an increased demand for computer system designers worldwide.

This demand for computer system graphic designers is expected to grow in the coming years as more companies continue to work on establishing their digital presence. It won't be long before every company hires an in-house graphic designer for this purpose. 

The exciting thing is that these job opportunities branch out to many other graphic design fields. This is the beauty of graphic design. The expertise gives the designer transferable skills that help them transition to related professions or fields like web development, UX, UI design, etc.

As a graphic designer, you can easily apply for jobs like:

• Web Designer

• Illustrator

• Product Developer

• Animator

• Creative Director

• Advertising Designer

• Art Director

• Layout Artist

• Marketing Specialist

• Production artist and also a

• Brand Designer

But that's not all. You can also earn much higher salaries than your counterparts in this field. 

A survey based on 83 salaries found that the average salary of a graphic designer in Ireland is €35,000 a year or €17.95 per hour. Even entry-level positions start at least €31,500 annually, and many professionals can reach up to €47,500 annually.

With the rise in demand for graphic designers, the trend is also changing in the field. Today, we have many sub-lines under the graphic design umbrella, such as:

Motion Graphic 

TikTok, Instagram, Facebook—all our social media feeds are flooded with videos. These days, there is a lot of emphasis on motion graphics, which has changed the dynamic of the advertising world. 

The same trend has been brought forward in graphic design. So, the demand for graphic designers in advertising and marketing has increased as more creatives featuring motion graphics are needed.

UX/UI Design

Today, the world is all about user experience and interface. All kinds of platforms are designed to enhance the digital experience of every individual. 

Many people who aren’t technology savvy have to use some kind of interface or platform at some point. Hence, the focus is on making their lives easier by designing device-compatible and user-friendly interfaces, again with the services of expert graphic designers.

Sustainable Design

Similarly, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, and graphic designers must incorporate green practices in their designs. People are moving towards a sustainable future and also show a preference for environmentally responsible brands. 

Moreover, the creative industry contributes significantly to economic growth. According to a report by the Irish government, it is estimated to add around €413 billion in value. 

So, there’s no doubt the future looks rather bright for graphic designers.

Diverse Career Paths in Graphic Design

Graphic designers have several opportunities to take on and start exciting new projects. It can be quite a fulfilling and enjoyable career for those who wish to see their hard work in the real world. This gives graphic designers the option to kick-start their career paths in various areas like art, technology, and communication.

In the past, graphic design was a career with a single range of interests requiring basic skill sets. However, with changing demand and growing opportunities, graphic designers today have several career opportunities.

You can work as: 

• Web Designer: There are several opportunities for web designers who work on websites while keeping them functional.

• Brand Designer: Graphic designers and Front-End Developers can also work as Brand Designers to develop the brand’s marketing material.

• UX/UI Specialist: As a UX/UI Specialist, you can work on user interaction with digital products, which results in higher engagement and usability.

• Digital Illustrator: Digital illustrators usually work as freelancers and create visual content for different platforms. 

• Freelancer: Apart from these job roles, you will find plenty of freelancing opportunities on different platforms. This is because there is flexibility and a rising trend of opportunities to work with diverse clients worldwide.

There are also plentiful opportunities for specific small-sized creative roles and agencies with no formal setups, which serve as learning platforms for graphic designers.

Here are some promising career paths you can choose from:

UI Design

UI designers create designs for websites and apps. In this field, people work on projects like website design, app design, game interface, and website landing pages. The work also extends to the creation of fully functional websites that are easy to use and navigate through and incorporate all the needs of the client.

It also extends to communicating and incorporating the brand message into the website through colours, fonts, graphics, and layouts. Then, regular website updates are needed, which again are done by the UI designers.

Print, Publication, and Layout Design

You can also go into publication, print, and layout design. This field requires sound photo editing skills and the necessary tools.

Moreover, as you gain experience and become an expert, you will also acquire the colour theory and knowledge of images that work best in print-ready copies.

These designers work on greeting cards, newspaper designs, book covers, catalogues, menus, and apparel.

These jobs are mostly available in advertising and public relations agencies.

Logo Design

You can also apply as a graphic designer for logo design. As the name suggests, in this field, designers develop logos that go with the brand's personality and give them immediate recognition. 

Infographics and Data Visualisations

You can also work on large data sets and create infographics or visualisations that make the information comprehensible for a mass audience.

It includes visual representations of statistics, facts, and other information so the audience or readers can draw relevant conclusions and form relationships between the elements. You can work on dashboards, app reports, letters, and editorials in this find.

Marketing

You can also work under the umbrella of marketing and advertising and choose a career in consumer behaviour. Here, you can work on campaigns like print and media, design graphics for social media posters and banners, or work on email marketing and brochures.

How Upskilling in Graphic Design Can Advance Your Career

You can't let go of upskilling or continuous learning in today's competitive world. 

Upskilling is not just about acquiring a skill set or completing a course or workshop that provides you with all the skills you need for the job. You need to continuously build your skills and experience and learn about the latest techniques. 

It is important to stay abreast of the rapidly changing times if you want to survive the competitive world. Whether you are working in digital media marketing or communications, it is more than necessary to keep upskilling where possible.

The upgrade will position you as a better candidate and competitive professional and will also be great for your portfolio when you apply for jobs.

Hence, enrolling in UCD Professional Academy’s Graphic Design Course is very important. The course upskill learners from different backgrounds, skill sets, and learning paces with all the skills they need to thrive in today's marketplace.

Working on Adobe Creative Suite software will give you first-hand exposure, allowing you to learn all its tools and functionality, which you’ll use in your practical life. The graphic design course will equip you with as much knowledge as possible and improve your future career prospects.

Course Curriculum and Learning Outcomes

UCD Professional Academy strongly focuses on enhancing the students’ practical skills. The graphic design course is quite comprehensive and covers a list of exciting and essential topics for graphic design. The crux of the course is designed around:

• Adobe Creative Suite

• Typography 

• Branding

• Digital Design

First, the users and the students learn all about Adobe Creative Suite by actually working on it. This way, they can master all the standard design tools that will help them in the future. 

From there on, they are trained in the art and technique of arranging or typography strategies for creating a visual impact, with an extensive focus on skills needed for designing a website or other mobile platforms. 

Hence, the course focuses on making you a master rather than a specialist in one area of graphic design. This widens your horizons to learn and grow within the graphic design frame but in diverse fields so that you can choose one according to your interests.

Moreover, at UCD Professional Academy, students are given real-world projects to work on, which they can add to their portfolios. They can also align these projects with their skills and make them part of their curriculum vitae for prospective employers.

Expert Instructors and Industry-Relevant Training

The best thing about enrolling at UCD Professional Academy is that all the instructors are highly trained and capable. They give first-hand information about the market trends and share their experiences and expertise with the students.

This equips the students with knowledge of the top industry trends and the best practices followed in the actual world.

Moreover, since the course combines relevant theoretical concepts with hands-on projects, you will be well prepared to tackle the real world's challenges.

Success Stories and Alumni Testimonials

After taking the UCD Professional Academy’s graphic design course, several alumni have secured coveted slots at renowned institutions. Many have also established their entrepreneur concerns and freelance careers. 

Here’s what some of the students have to say about the course: 

Dwaynne Nolan, appointed as a General Assistant, states: “The Professional Academy diploma in Graphic Design is an excellent course for stepping into the world of Graphic Design. My lecturer was always available for questions. Upon finishing this course, I got a job as a graphic designer and print finisher in a printing studio, so I would recommend this course to people who have interest in design.”

As per Maria Tallarico, working as Supervisor:

“The Professional Academy Diploma in Graphic Design was highly constructive, very well articulated, and more intense than a basic course. I hope to use this course to find a good job as a graphic designer and illustrator. The great humanity of the teacher and his way of keeping a fast but fun pace have certainly helped the success of the course.”

Flexible Study Options and Comprehensive Support

One of the best things about UCD Professional Academy is the flexible learning support. You can take the course remotely.The flexible outline allows students to balance their personal lives and studies with their professional jobs.

Moreover, UCD Professional Academy also offers community forums, and access to online resources, so you can use these services from anywhere to enhance your experience.

Conclusion

Graphic design is an emerging field with growing opportunities, all set to increase in the coming years. To make the most of it, now is the best time to enrol in a design course at UCD Professional Academy. 

The comprehensive course provides you with all the skills, activities, and knowledge you need to thrive in today's marketplace and find the best opportunities that align with your personality, interests, and acquired skills.