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Entry Level Designer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Salas O'Brien

Entry Level Technology Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50K - $70K/yr

Technology Designer I Job Summary The technology designer will immediately put to practice the technical documentation and problem-solving skills acquired during their undergraduate studies and ...

PULSE STUDIO, LLC

Be Seen First

Entry Level Scenic & Event Designer / Production Artist 2026

Lisle, IL · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Entry-Level Scenic & Event Designer Pulse Studio LLC is a design previsualization firm based in Lisle, Illinois. Our designs allow clients to experience what their event or product will look and feel ...

Knapheide Manufacturing

Product Designer

Quincy, IL · On-site

$58K - $67K/yr

Update and create newly designed product as requested by senior staff ... This is an entry level position that allows the employee to learn company centric systems and ...

Aria Group

Architectural Designer

Oak Park, IL · On-site

$54K - $68K/yr

This entry-level role is ideal for emerging designers who are passionate about architecture, eager to learn, and ready to contribute to project success. Why Aria Group Founded in 1989, Aria Group is ...

New

International Paper

Structural Designer

Aurora, IL · On-site

$57K - $76K/yr

Structural Designer I - Retail Display & Packaging Position Summary International Paper is seeking a talented and detail-oriented entry-level Structural Designer to join our Retail Display ...

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All JobsDesigner JobsEntry Level Designer JobsEntry Level Designer Jobs in Illinois

Entry Level Designer information

See Illinois salary details

$30K

$54.9K

$83.3K

How much do entry level designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level designer in Illinois is $54,941.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,100.00 and $63,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level designer?

Entry level designers are professionals who are just beginning their careers in design, typically after completing relevant education or training. They assist senior designers with tasks such as creating layouts, selecting colors, and preparing design drafts. Entry level designers often work in fields like graphic design, interior design, web design, or industrial design. They use design software, follow project guidelines, and collaborate with other team members to bring creative ideas to life. This role allows them to build experience, develop their portfolios, and learn industry best practices.

What does an entry level designer do?

An entry-level designer helps more experienced designers with concept design, product development, and other essential duties within their industry. Designers work in a multitude of industries, including manufacturing, technology, fashion, engineering, decorating, marketing and advertising, software, and web design. As a junior designer, your specific responsibilities differ depending on your industry. For example, you may help design specific pieces of apparel or focus on men’s or women’s fashion. As an entry-level web designer, you may help improve the visual design and user experience features for a client site.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Designer, you need a solid understanding of design principles, a portfolio showcasing creative work, and a relevant degree or coursework in graphic or visual design. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to accept and implement feedback are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills ensure you can translate ideas into effective visual solutions and collaborate successfully with clients and team members.

What types of projects can an entry level designer expect to work on, and how much creative input will they typically have?

As an Entry Level Designer, you'll often assist with a variety of projects such as creating layouts, developing visual assets, and supporting branding or marketing campaigns. While you may start by following established guidelines and executing tasks set by senior designers, there are usually opportunities to contribute ideas during brainstorming sessions and design reviews. Over time, as you demonstrate your skills and initiative, you may be entrusted with greater creative responsibility and more independent projects. Collaboration with other team members, including writers, marketers, and developers, is common and provides valuable learning experiences.

What is the difference between Entry Level Designer vs Graphic Designer?

AspectEntry Level DesignerGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsAssociate degree or relevant coursework, portfolioBachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field, portfolio
Work EnvironmentDesign agencies, corporate marketing teams, freelanceAdvertising agencies, publishing, corporate branding
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in creative and marketing industriesWidely used across various industries including advertising, media, and corporate sectors

Entry Level Designers and Graphic Designers often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. The main difference is that 'Entry Level Designer' typically refers to those just starting their careers with limited experience, focusing on learning and supporting projects. 'Graphic Designer' is a broader term that can include more experienced professionals, but at the entry level, both roles involve creating visual content for various media.

More about Entry Level Designer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Designer jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Designer jobs in Illinois?

For Entry Level Designer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Designer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Designer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Entry Level Designer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Entry Level Designer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Designer jobs in IL?

For Entry Level Designer jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Entry Level Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Designer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,941 per year, or $26.4 per hour.

Entry Level Graphic Designer

Gold Rush Gaming

Hoffman Estates, IL

$50K - $60K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Entry Level Graphic Designer
Job Description
Gold Rush Gaming is looking for an entry level Graphic Designer with 1 to 2 years’ office experience.
Essential Responsibilities:
  • Fast-Paced Asset Creation: Rapidly produce high-quality marketing materials—including social media graphics, flyers, digital banners, email headers, and print promotional items—on tight turnarounds.
  • Vector amp; Layout Production: Create vector graphics, icons, and illustrations using Illustrator, and build multi-page publications, brochures, and print layouts using InDesign.
  • Image Editing amp; Manipulation: Retouch, color-correct, crop, and composite raster images using Photoshop for both web and print assets.
  • Brand Alignment: Maintain visual consistency under pressure by applying brand guidelines, color palettes, typography, and logo usage rules across all deliverables.
  • Prepress amp; Export: Prepare print-ready files (preflight, bleed, crop marks, vector pathing) and export digital assets optimized for various web specifications.
  • Workflow amp; File Management: Organize and archive asset libraries, templates, and raw project files to streamline project handoffs and speed up production cycles.
Core Qualifications:
Software Proficiency - Expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud with high proficiency in Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop
Pace/Management - Proven ability to thrive under pressure and hit rapid turnaround deadlines while balancing multiple active projects
Design Fundamentals - Solid command of visual hierarchy, typography, grid systems, color theory, and vector path manipulation
Product Knowledge - In-depth understand of digital export formants (SVG, PNG, JPG) and print production specifications (CMYK, DPI, bleed, spot colors)
Soft Skills:
Adaptability
Strong communication
Receptiveness to rapid feedback
Meticulous attention to detail
Key Requirements Checklist
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating advanced proficiency in Illustrator (vector graphics), InDesign (page layouts), and Photoshop (image editing).
  • Proven capability to prioritize tasks, pivot quickly based on shifting feedback, and consistently hit aggressive deadlines.
  • Solid understanding of print prepress setup as well as fast-paced digital design standards.
Benefits (for Full-Time Employees):
  • Competitive pay
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off
  • 401(k)
  • Company vehicle and tools provided
Must have a valid driver’s license. This is an in-office position 5 days a week.

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