Graphic design jobs are becoming harder to find, as businesses are cutting back on hiring because of the economic recession. However, the job remains popular, and large numbers of people continue to graduate from tertiary institutions with design qualifications. This means competition for entry-level jobs is particularly high.

Fewer job opportunities for graphic designers as recession begins to affect businesses

The current economic recession means job opportunities for graphic designers are beginning to slow. More businesses are trying to minimise their costs by hiring fewer people, which means there is more competition for fewer jobs.

Newly qualified graphic designers may have to get some work experience as Mac operators or as freelancers before gaining full-time work, as competition at graduate level is especially high.

Graphic designers who have a tertiary qualification and a few years' experience, and who are prepared to be flexible in these tight economic times, have the best chances of finding work.

Graphic design a popular job

Graphic design is currently a very popular occupation in New Zealand, and the number of graphic designers rose significantly between 1996 and 2006.

This increase in graphic designers was because:

• the Internet continues to grow and there is more demand for people with visual design and communication skills
• more businesses want professional branding, which has created more awareness of, and need for, graphic designers
• more training institutions are offering graphic design courses.
  

  Number of graphic designers working in New Zealand
  (1996, 2001, 2006)

  Census	Number of graphic designers in New Zealand
  1996	3135
  2001	4224
  2006	5817
  Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool.

Top five industry employers of graphic designers in New Zealand

Industry	Percentage of people employed
Marketing and business management	41%
Publishing	10%
Printing and services to printing	10%
Film and multimedia	5%
Web and computer services	5%

Source: Department of Labour - Market Skill and Investment Tool.

Graphic designers can work anywhere in New Zealand. The type of work graphic designers do varies depending on their location. For example, in Auckland the customer base is largely corporate, whereas in smaller towns the customer base may be more diverse, ranging from small businesses to overseas clients.