What the role actually covers
Graphic design covers a wide range: social creative, print and packaging, presentation design, and brand systems. A designer strong at fast social creative is not automatically the person to build a brand identity, and asking for both in one hire usually produces neither.
- Marketing and social creative on an agreed cadence
- Print, packaging or point-of-sale work where relevant
- Maintaining consistency against brand guidelines
- Preparing files correctly for print or digital delivery
What has to be true on day one
Separate these from what a good candidate can learn in a few weeks — over-specifying is the fastest way to a brief that returns nobody.
- A portfolio in the specific kind of work you need
- Working knowledge of the tools your team uses
- Ability to take direction and revise without starting over
How to assess the shortlist
Set a small paid test brief with a real constraint — a specific size, message and deadline. Pay for it. Free spec work attracts the candidates with the fewest options, not the best ones.
The mistake employers make most often
Briefing by reference image alone. Say what the design has to achieve and who it is for, not just what it should look like, or you will spend the first month in revision cycles.
Salary in the twin cities
PKR 50,000 – PKR 120,000 / month is the typical range for this role in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Treat this as a starting benchmark, not a fixed figure. Actual rates move with experience, the specific brief and how competitive the skill is at the time of hiring.
Hiring by city
Frequently asked questions
What does a graphic designer do?
Graphic design covers a wide range: social creative, print and packaging, presentation design, and brand systems. A designer strong at fast social creative is not automatically the person to build a brand identity, and asking for both in one hire usually produces neither.
What should we look for when hiring a graphic designer?
A portfolio in the specific kind of work you need. Working knowledge of the tools your team uses. Ability to take direction and revise without starting over.
How do we assess a graphic designer?
Set a small paid test brief with a real constraint — a specific size, message and deadline. Pay for it. Free spec work attracts the candidates with the fewest options, not the best ones.
What is the most common mistake hiring this role?
Briefing by reference image alone. Say what the design has to achieve and who it is for, not just what it should look like, or you will spend the first month in revision cycles.
What salary should we budget for a graphic designer in Islamabad or Rawalpindi?
PKR 50,000 – PKR 120,000 / month is the typical range for this role in the twin cities. Confirm the current market rate against your specific brief rather than treating this as a fixed figure.
What does Staffly charge?
The standard direct-placement fee is one month of the agreed salary, payable when you hire. Your business pays the salary separately and employs the person directly. Every placement carries a written 6-month replacement guarantee, subject to its conditions.