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From the logos you see on social media to the apps you use daily, design shapes everything.
Two of the hottest creative fields in Pakistan and worldwide are:
- Graphic design: visual communication, branding, print & digital graphics
- UI/UX design: designing how apps & websites look (UI) and feel/work (UX)
But which career fits you?
Let’s break down the differences, scope, tools, and salaries so you can choose the right path.
1. What Is Graphic Design?
Graphic designers create:
✅ Logos, banners & brochures
✅ Social media posts & ads
✅ Business cards & packaging
✅ Illustrations & icons
Focus: Visual storytelling colors, fonts, layouts, brand identity.
Common clients:
- Agencies
- Brands & startups
- Freelance clients worldwide
💡 Good graphic design grabs attention & builds trust.
2. What Is UI/UX Design?
UI (User Interface): how an app or website looks
UX (User Experience): how it works, feels, and solves user problems
UI/UX designers create:
✅ Mobile app designs
✅ Website prototypes
✅ Wireframes & user flows
✅ Interactive prototypes (Figma, XD)
Focus: Making digital products easy, intuitive, and beautiful to use.
💡 It’s not just art — it’s part psychology, part problem‑solving.
3. Key Tools You’ll Use
| Task | Graphic design | UI/UX design |
|---|---|---|
| Visual design | Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator | Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch |
| Prototyping | – | Figma, InVision |
| Animation | After Effects | Principle, ProtoPie |
| Collaboration | PDF, PNG exports | Live prototypes & dev handoff tools |
✅ Some tools (e.g., Adobe Illustrator) overlap.
4. Skills You Need
| Graphic design | UI/UX design |
|---|---|
| Typography & color theory | User research & personas |
| Layout & composition | Wireframing & prototyping |
| Branding & illustration | Usability testing |
| Visual creativity | Information architecture |
💡 UI/UX also needs basic understanding of how apps are built.
5. Demand & Scope in Pakistan (2025)
| Field | Where jobs come from |
|---|---|
| Graphic design | Digital agencies, e-commerce brands, freelancers, print media |
| UI/UX design | Software houses, tech startups, mobile app studios, SaaS products |
✅ UI/UX demand is growing faster, especially with Pakistan’s booming IT & startup scene.
6. Salaries & Earnings Potential
| Role | Local PKR | Remote USD |
|---|---|---|
| Junior graphic designer | 40,000–70,000 | $300–800/month |
| Senior graphic designer | 80,000–150,000 | $500–2,000/month |
| Junior UI/UX designer | 50,000–100,000 | $500–1,500/month |
| Senior UI/UX designer | 120,000–300,000 | $1,500–4,000/month |
✅ UI/UX salaries are usually higher due to complex skill set & demand.
7. Freelance Opportunities
| Field | Typical freelance work |
|---|---|
| Graphic design | Logo design, social media posts, brand kits |
| UI/UX | App prototypes, website redesigns, SaaS dashboards |
💡 Platforms like Fiverr & Upwork have huge demand for both — but UI/UX projects often pay more per project.
8. How to Learn (Free & Paid)
| Resource | Graphic design | UI/UX design |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube (free) | Photoshop, Illustrator | Figma tutorials, UX tips |
| Coursera / Udemy | Logo & branding courses | Google UX Certificate, prototyping |
| Blogs & communities | Dribbble, Behance | UX Planet, UX Design Institute |
| Practice | Daily design challenges | Redesign popular apps/websites |
✅ Practice is key — portfolios matter more than certificates.
9. Portfolio Tips
| Graphic design | UI/UX design |
|---|---|
| Show logos, posters, banners | Show wireframes → prototypes → final design |
| Explain color choices & brand story | Explain user research & problem-solving |
| Use Behance or Dribbble | Use case studies on Notion, Medium, or portfolio site |
💡 UI/UX portfolios must show your thinking process, not just pretty screens.
10. Which Career Should You Choose?
| Choose graphic design if… | Choose UI/UX if… |
|---|---|
| You love branding & illustration | You like problem-solving & digital products |
| Prefer visual creativity | Want to work closely with developers |
| Want quick freelance gigs | Want higher long-term salaries & remote jobs |
✅ You can also start with graphic design, then pivot to UI/UX later.
Conclusion: Design Is the Future Pick Your Path
Both fields:
- Need creativity
- Offer freelance & remote work
- Don’t require a CS degree — just skills & portfolio
But:
- Graphic design is quicker to start & offers varied projects
- UI/UX is more technical, with higher global demand & salaries
Start learning, build real projects, and share your work online.
For job listings, portfolio guides & design career tips, visit TeezJobs.com your guide to creative careers in Pakistan!
