Helpful Resources for Graphic Designers

This post offers insights to those who seek to understand the role of a graphic designer, enrol in graphic design courses, build their knowledge through graphic design books, explore the latest graphic design tools, or are curious about the career potential of remote graphic design jobs and the likely graphic design salaries in Africa.

What Graphic Designers Do

Graphic designers create visual concepts that communicate ideas and messages or serve as decorations. They work across various media, including websites, advertisements, magazines, social media, branding, packaging, and more. 

Their role involves combining typography, imagery, colors, and layouts to produce visually appealing and effective designs. Depending on the industry, graphic designers may specialize in areas such as:

• Branding and identity design
• UI/UX design for apps and websites
• Print design for marketing collateral
• Motion graphics and animation

Understanding the scope of graphic design helps you identify where to focus your skills and which resources will be most beneficial.

Graphic Design Courses

Continuous learning is essential for staying competitive in the graphic design field and the broader labor market. Whether you want to learn design fundamentals or master advanced software, many graphic design courses are available—from short online courses to comprehensive tertiary-level degree programs.

Tertiary-level programs provide a deep and structured learning experience and can significantly boost your credentials. Popular degree options include:

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Graphic Design or Visual Communication: These undergraduate programs typically cover areas such as design theory, digital media, typography, branding, and portfolio development over three to four years. They will equip you to compete favorably for roles across multiple industries.
• Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design: Graduate degrees focus on advanced design concepts, research, and specialization areas like interaction design, motion graphics, or branding strategy. They are a great choice for designers seeking leadership roles, research positions, or academic careers.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Graphic Design or Visual Communication: PhD programs are ideal for those interested in pushing the boundaries of design knowledge. These programs involve original research, theory development, and novel contributions to academic scholarship. PhD graduates often pursue careers in academia, high-level consultancy, or design innovation leadership.

In addition to formal degree programs, online platforms offer flexible graphic design courses and certifications. Some examples include:

• Coursera: Offers several graphic design courses, including some from institutions such as California Institute of the Arts and the University of Colorado Boulder.
• Udemy: Features a wide range of skill-specific courses, from beginner tutorials to expert-level software training.
• LinkedIn Learning: Provides industry-focused courses taught by seasoned professionals, ideal for skill sharpening and staying current.
• Skillshare: Focused on project-based classes with community feedback, making it a good option for beginners and intermediate designers seeking practical skills.

Whether you opt for a degree, an online course, or any other kind of training, constant learning and improvement will help you grow as a graphic designer.

Graphic Design Books

Quality graphic design books remain a great way to deepen your understanding of design theory, inspiration, best practices, and more. Here are a few top graphic design books out there:

• Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton: A comprehensive guide on typography and its application in design.
• The Elements of Graphic Design by Alex W. White: Explores the fundamental principles of visual communication, including space, unity, typography, and layout.
• Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon: A practical and inspiring guide that encourages creatives to embrace influence, remix ideas, and unlock their originality by "stealing" wisely from the work of others.
• Logo Design Love by David Airey: Focuses on the process of creating memorable and effective logos.
• The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst: A classic work that explores the history and theory of typography.
• 3D Printing for Product Designers by Brian Garret: Provides practical strategies for incorporating 3D printing into product design.
• Design as an Attitude by Kamil Michlewski: Philosophically explores the influence of design on daily life and societal progress, addressing present-day global challenges.

Graphic Design Tools

Mastering the right graphic design tools can make your workflow more efficient and your designs more professional. The following are some widely used graphic design tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign): The gold standard for professional graphic design, offering comprehensive features for various design needs.
• Canva: Easy-to-use, web-based platform that empowers users of all skill levels to create professional-looking designs quickly through drag-and-drop tools, a vast library of templates, and other assets.
• Sketch: Vector-based design tool tailored for UI/UX design, boasting a robust plugin ecosystem, and strong collaboration features— favored by professionals seeking a streamlined workflow on macOS.
• Procreate: Highly popular digital illustration app for iPad, praised for its intuitive interface, natural brush engine, and seamless performance.
• CorelDRAW: Versatile software suite that excels in vector illustration, layout, and typography.
• Affinity Designer: Powerful budget-friendly alternative to Adobe Illustrator that supports both vector and raster workflows in a single environment.

Staying updated with the latest versions and features of your graphic design tools can enhance your capabilities.

Graphic Design Jobs

Graphic design jobs have become increasingly available, thanks partly to the growing demand for digital content across multiple industries globally. This makes the field a viable career path with strong remote work potential for African creatives. 

In the advertising and marketing sector, for example, graphic designers play a critical role in creating campaign visuals, branding materials, and social media content for both local and global companies. In tech and fintech, designers are in demand for UI/UX work, helping to craft user-friendly interfaces and engaging digital experiences. 

The e-learning and education industries also frequently hire designers to produce multimedia course content and interactive learning visuals. Print and packaging companies need professionals to develop brochures, labels, and promotional material, while media and entertainment firms rely on motion graphic designers for video content and visual storytelling.

Platforms like Remote4Africa list graphic design jobs across a range of industries, African countries, and other continents. With a strong portfolio, a professionally crafted CV, and good communication skills, African designers can compete in the global job market for remote graphic design jobs and go on to build successful careers.

Graphic Designer Salaries

Having an idea of possible graphic design salaries is crucial for making informed career decisions and negotiating fair compensation, especially for aspiring designers. The good thing is that graphic design salaries are usually competitive. 

Below are estimates of average graphic design salaries (excluding additional compensation such as bonuses, commission, tips, etc) in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt, according to Glassdoor.

Nigeria

As of May 29, 2025, the average monthly salary for a graphic designer in Nigeria was NGN 150,000, with a range of between NGN 84,000 and NGN 290,000. 

Egypt 

Graphic designers in Egypt enjoyed an average salary of EGP 8,000 per month, as of June 3, 2025. Salary range varied from EGP 6,000 to EGP 15,000. 

South Africa 

The average salary for a graphic designer in South Africa as of June 2, 2025, was ZAR 16,000 per month. Salaries typically ranged from ZAR 12,000 to ZAR 27,000. 

Kenya 

As of May 30, 2025, a graphic designer in Kenya earned KES 50,000 monthly, on average, while the salary range was between KES 31,000 and KES 93,000.

Conclusion

With increasing demand for visual content across industries, both remote graphic design jobs and in-house positions offer a wide range of opportunities. Competitive graphic design salaries reflect this growing demand and help make the field a compelling and viable career path.

But having an outstanding career requires solid preparation and constant investments in your personal development. Mastering the right graphic design tools and staying current with industry trends is crucial for success. It is also important to strengthen your knowledge with graphic design courses and by building a personal library of top graphic design books.