NOC 52120: Graphic designers and illustrators
Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this unit group. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely self-employed.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 52120 (Graphic designers and illustrators) is a TEER 2 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is not on IRCC's high-wage list. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 2
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Not listed
No extra CRS points
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 52120 |
|---|---|
| Title | Graphic designers and illustrators |
| Broad category | Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport |
| TEER | TEER 2 — usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years, or supervisory roles |
Example job titles
- 3D animation artist
- advertising designer
- animator - animated films
- bank note designer
- cartoonist
- commercial artist
- graphic artist
- graphic designer
Main duties
- Graphic designers
- Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs
- Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication
- Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients' objectives
- Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software
- Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design
- Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients' communications needs
- Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers
Your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties to use this NOC — check the full profile on the official NOC site.
Related occupations
- NOC 52100 — Library and public archive technicians
- NOC 52110 — Film and video camera operators
- NOC 52111 — Graphic arts technicians
- NOC 52112 — Broadcast technicians
- NOC 52113 — Audio and video recording technicians
- NOC 52114 — Announcers and other broadcasters
- NOC 52119 — Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
- NOC 52121 — Interior designers and interior decorators
← NOC 52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts · NOC 52121 Interior designers and interior decorators →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 2 also matters for work permits: see the spousal open work permit (TEER rules for spouses of workers), LMIA explained and the Atlantic Immigration Program (job offers in TEER 0–4).
Sources: Statistics Canada NOC 2021 V1.0; IRCC high-wage occupations; IRCC category-based selection; IRCC who can apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOC 52120 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 52120 is a TEER 2 occupation. IRCC counts work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, as long as all other program requirements are met.
Is NOC 52120 a high-wage occupation?+
No. NOC 52120 isn't on IRCC's Express Entry high-wage occupations list, so it doesn't earn the extra high-wage or job offer CRS points. Canadian work-length points can still apply for TEER 0–3 work.
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 52120?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 52120. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.