Finding the right company to work for as a graphic designer can be a game-changer in your career.
Whether you're passionate about branding, digital design, or illustration, working in an environment that values creativity and offers growth opportunities is essential.
From companies known for their design-driven culture to those that offer amazing perks and work-life balance, there are plenty of options out there.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up the 20 best companies that not only appreciate design but also provide the perfect setting for your creative career to thrive.
Top 25 Companies to Work for as a Graphic Designer
Here are the best companies to work for as a graphic designer:
1. Microsoft
While not solely focused on graphics, Microsoft offers a dynamic environment for designers who want to push boundaries. Their design team works on various projects, from crafting user interfaces for Windows and Office products to designing sleek hardware like the Surface line. Microsoft could be a great fit if you're interested in how design interacts with technology on a large scale.
Job Listing- Work at Microsoft
Average salary of graphic designers at Microsoft: $123,834/year
2. Apple
Apple is a great company to work for if you want to be at the cutting edge of design. You will contribute to a design concept known for its simplicity and user-friendliness.
Apple offers opportunities to work on innovative products like Mac computers, iPads, and iPhones. If you are a fast-paced individual who enjoys the intersection of design and functionality, Apple may be the perfect fit for you.
Job Listing- Work at Apple
Average salary of graphic designers at Apple: $76,777/year
3.Pentagram
Pentagram is among the largest and most well-known graphic design companies worldwide. Its remarkable client list includes Benetton, Rolls-Royce, Slack, Warner Brothers, Saks Fifth Avenue, Starbucks, The Guggenheim, United Airlines, Verizon, Walgreens, Windows, Mastercard, MoMA, United Airlines, and many more.
Job Listing-Work at Pentagram
Average salary of graphic designers at Pentagram: $89,814/year
4.Spotify
Spotify provides a creative workspace where you can design for a platform used daily by millions of users. The design team's primary goals include creating visually appealing marketing materials and user-friendly user interfaces for various devices. If you're passionate about music and have an eye for visual storytelling, working at Spotify might be your ideal career.
Job Listing-Work at Spotify
Average salary of graphic designers at Spotify: $75,125/year
5.AirBnB
Take a look inside the active workplace of a prominent travel company. Airbnb's design team aims to provide a flawless user experience for hosts and guests alike. You'll work in a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere on everything from marketing materials to app design. Airbnb might be a perfect fit if you like working on global projects that impact people.
Job Listing-Work at AirBnB
Average salary of graphic designers at AirBnB: $123,000/year
6.IDEO
This design consultancy is leading the way in human-centered design worldwide. IDEO's methodology prioritizes empathy and understanding user demands as it takes on complicated issues for a broad spectrum of clients. Here, you'll be surrounded by some of the most innovative design thinkers while working on projects that have the potential to change the world positively.
Job Listing- Work at IDEO
Average salary of graphic designers at IDEO: $123,000/year
7.Adobe Systems Inc.
This leading company provides a unique chance to work with similar equipment you use daily. The next generation of creative software, which will include Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop, is the primary focus of Adobe's design team.
You will have direct control over the tools millions of designers use worldwide and be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in the design software sector.
Job Listing-Work at Adobe Systems
Average salary of graphic designers at Adobe Systems Inc: $108,000/year
8.Netflix
Join the group that is redefining entertainment! The design team at Netflix works on a variety of tasks, such as creating marketing campaigns for their popular series and user interfaces for their streaming platform. You'll be able to work in a dynamic atmosphere that encourages creativity and innovation here.
Job Listing-Work at Netflix
Average salary of graphic designers at Netflix: $116,844/year
9. Google
Google is a fantastic choice if you enjoy using their products and would like to be involved in the creative process. Their enormous design staff works on everything from autonomous vehicles to search interfaces. Working with exceptional minds from various fields, you will be at the forefront of technological innovation at Google.
Job Listing- Work at Google
Average salary of graphic designers at Google: $144,000/year
10.Nike
Design for one of the most iconic sports brands in the world! Nike puts a premium on creativity and innovation, and their design team gets to work on everything from apparel and footwear to marketing campaigns that capture movement and energy. If you're passionate about sports and have a knack for visual storytelling geared towards athleticism, Nike could be a perfect fit.
Job Listing- Work at Nike
Average salary of graphic designers at Nike : $85,000/year
Top 5 Companies Hiring Remote Graphic Designers
Here’s the list of top 5 companies that actively hire remote graphic designers:
11.AirBNB
Airbnb embraces a "Live and Work Anywhere" philosophy. This means employees can work remotely from most countries, with a minimum stay of 3 months per location to foster connection with colleagues. They offer support for remote work logistics, including finding suitable visas and ensuring access to technology and workspace resources.
12.Canva
Canva provides a hybrid work model that prioritizes flexibility. Through its "Work Anywhere" program, staff members can select to work remotely from anywhere on the globe, on the Canva campus, or a combination of the two.
Job Listing- Work at Canva
Average salary of graphic designers at Canva: $86,000/year
13.Dropbox
Dropbox offers a "Virtual First" model, fully embracing remote work. Employees can select where they work, encouraging a geographically dispersed workforce. With a completely remote work toolset that includes communication tools, collaboration software, and instructions for setting up a home office, the company provides remote workers with everything they need to succeed.
Job Listing- Work at Dropbox
Average salary of graphic designers at Dropbox: $74,518/year
14.InVision
At InVision, a "Remote by Default" work style is prioritized, enabling workers to work from almost anywhere in the world. They promote an environment of adaptability and asynchronous communication, ensuring that everyone feels supported wherever they may be. InVision uses strong collaboration tools, virtual events, and team-building activities to create a strong sense of community and overcome physical distance.
Job Listing- Work at InVision
Average salary of graphic designers at InVision: $49,029/year
15.MailChimp
Mailchimp promotes a "Remote First" work environment that allows staff members to work from anywhere in the world. They support establishing an environment at work that encourages adaptability and gives people authority.
Job Listing- Work at MailChimp
Average salary of graphic designers at MailChimp: $66,827
Top 5 Companies for Freelance Graphic Designers:
Here are 5 companies/platforms for freelance graphic designers:
16.DesignHill
DesignHill is a marketplace that links clients needing design services with independent graphic designers. While clients submit design projects with precise requirements and budget ranges, designers can establish profiles highlighting their talents and portfolios.
Home Page- Freelance at DesignHill
Average salary for freelance graphic designer at Design Hill-
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Entry Level- $48,750 / year
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Senior Level- $97,500/ year
17.Toptal
Toptal adopts a more restrictive strategy than DesignHill, which provides graphic designers of all skill levels with a freelancing marketplace that links them with clients through project posts and profile showcases. They carefully choose only the best graphic designers to become members of their network.
Home Page-Freelance at Toptall
Average salary for freelance graphic designer at Toptal:
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Entry Level- $$40,000 / year
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Senior Level- $115,000/ year
18.We Work Remotely
We Work Remotely isn't just a job board, it's a magnet for freelance graphic designers. Boasting over 3 million monthly users and a vast database of remote design projects, it connects talented designers with serious employers.
Home Page- Freelance at We Work Remotely
Average salary for freelance graphic designer at We Work Remotely -
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Entry Level- $48,792 /year
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Senior Level- $64,637/year
19.Dribbble
Dribbble isn't just a portfolio site; it's a launching pad for freelance graphic designers. This platform attracts companies looking for talent across various design disciplines.
Build a strong profile with a clear bio and showcase your best work – Dribbble's high traffic from potential clients means a well-crafted profile can put your freelance design skills in the spotlight and land you exciting projects.
Home Page- Freelance at Dribbble
Average salary for freelance graphic designer at Dribbble -
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Entry Level- $40,000 / year
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Senior Level- $115,000/ year
20.99Designs
99designs offers a one-stop shop for design needs. This platform connects you with various freelance graphic designers across multiple specializations.
Submit your project description, browse the design concepts submitted by freelancers, and choose the one that best brings your vision to life. It's a convenient way to find your project's design talent.
Home Page- Freelance at 99 Designs
Average salary for freelance graphic designer at Dribbble -
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Entry Level- $58,836/ year
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Senior Level- $77,205/ year
5 Best Companies for Freshers to Work as Graphic Designers
21. Envy Labs
Envy Labs is a software development and design company that encourages creative freedom. Freshers can gain hands-on experience in UI/UX design and branding while working in a collaborative, supportive environment.
Why it suits freshers: Envy Labs fosters creativity and mentorship, making it an ideal starting point for designers looking to explore multiple design disciplines
Average salary for freshers at Envy Lab- $41,000 to $50,000/year
Job Listing- Work At Envy Labs
22. Aquent
Aquent is a creative staffing agency that places fresh talent in top design roles. They provide ample learning opportunities and exposure to diverse industries like marketing, UX/UI, and branding.
Why it suits freshers: Aquent helps match fresh designers with roles where they can grow, offering contract and freelance positions that fit various levels of expertise
Average salary for freshers at Aquent: $50,000 to $60,000/ year
Job Listing- Work At Aquent
23. Fiverr
Fiverr provides a platform for freelance designers to take on projects at their own pace. Freshers can build their portfolios by working on small to mid-sized projects and learning project management skills.
Why it suits freshers: Fiverr allows beginners to gain real-world experience while developing a client base
Average salary for freshers at Fiverr- $40,000 to $60,000/yearly
Job Listing- Work At Fiverr
24. Saatchi & Saatchi
A top advertising agency, Saatchi & Saatchi is known for bold and creative campaigns. Freshers can learn branding, advertising design, and creative direction by working on projects for major global clients.
Why it suits freshers: It offers a structured environment with excellent mentorship for designers looking to grow quickly
Average salary for freshers at Saatchi & Saatchi: $46,000 to $64,000
Job Listing- Work at Saatchi & Saatchi
25.Canonical
Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu and specializes in design for open-source software. Freshers working here can dive into product design, marketing, and UI/UX, gaining tech industry experience.
Why it suits freshers: The focus on digital and product design, along with strong mentorship, makes it a great starting place for designers interested in tech.
Average salary for freshers at Canonical: $50,000 to $60,000
Job Listing- Work at Canonical
Salary Insights: How Much Do Graphic Designers Make in Average?
In the US, a graphic designer makes, on average, $65,247 annually. In the US, a graphic designer's supplemental financial compensation ranges from $6,155 to $11,490, with an average of $8,207. The 55077 salaries that anonymous Graphic Designer employees in the US provided to Glassdoor are the basis for the salary estimations. [source]
Factors affecting salaries of graphic designers
- Experience
That's a big one. Your earning potential generally increases with experience. In general, entry-level designers make less money than senior or mid-level designers who have worked for several years.
- Education
An advanced degree in graphic design or a similar discipline can boost your income potential. Employers may see from a relevant degree that you have a solid software and design concepts background. For some roles, some companies can even demand a particular degree.
- Skills
The particular skills you possess greatly influence how much you make. Having proficiency in in-demand fields like user experience (UX) design, motion graphics, or 3D design can increase your value and help you earn a better wage, in addition to essential graphic design skills like typography, layout, and image manipulation.
- Location
Geographical location is important. Generally speaking, designers in large cities with high costs of living make more money than their counterparts in smaller towns or rural areas.
- Industry
Your salary may also vary depending on the industry you work in. For example, designers in the software, banking, or advertising sectors frequently make more money than their counterparts in the government or nonprofit sectors. Higher salary levels are typically found in industries with bigger expenditures for design services.
- Company Size and Type
Large, established companies and design firms may offer higher salaries and benefits than smaller startups or freelance opportunities. However, startups may offer more ownership and a faster-paced environment, which some designers value.
7.Specialization
You can improve your income potential by specializing in a particular area of graphic design, such as package, online, or branding design. Specialists can charge higher prices since they have greater expertise in that specific design area.
Types of Graphic Design Roles:
1. Print & Publication Design:
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Layout Artist: Develops the layout and style of printed items such as newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets.
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Publication Designer: Oversees all aspects of publication design, including font, layout, and picture selection.
2. Web & User Interface (UI) Design:
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UI/UX Designer: Focuses on both the user interface (visual designs) and user experience (how users interact) of websites and applications.
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Web Designer: Focuses on a website or application's user interface (digital design) as well as user experience (how users interact).
3.Branding & Identity Design:
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Brand Designer: Creates a company's visual identity, which includes the logo design, colour scheme, font, and general brand impression.
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Packaging Designer: Makes product packaging that is both aesthetically pleasing and educational.
4.Marketing & Advertising Design:
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Graphic Designer (Marketing/Advertising): Creates marketing collateral, including email templates, posters, ads, and social media images.
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Art Director (Advertising): Oversees the overall visual style and gives guidance to the creative team for advertising projects.
Exploring career options? Discover more job opportunities across different roles and experience levels.
Conclusion
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Working at these top companies will help your career growth and help you sharpen your skills through diverse design challenges, from tech to branding to user-centric approaches.
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These companies are known for fostering innovative work cultures that encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Whether you're part of a large corporation like Google or a design consultancy like IDEO,once you are a part of it, you'll collaborate with highly talented teams on projects that push boundaries and make a real impact.
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With the rise of remote work, several companies like Airbnb, Canva, Dropbox, InVision, and Mailchimp offer flexible work arrangements, allowing graphic designers to work from anywhere in the world.
Overall, the company you choose as a graphic designer dramatically influences your career path, job fulfillment, and professional development. Aligning your skills, passions, and goals with the company culture and growth opportunities is crucial.
This article has been written by Shaoni Gupta. She works as a content writer at Vantage Lens. Her areas of interest range from art to astronomy. When she's not writing, she is daydreaming about stepping into the worlds of high fantasy novels.