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The differences between art directors and graphic design managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an art director, becoming a graphic design manager takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an art director has an average salary of $88,367, which is higher than the $66,975 average annual salary of a graphic design manager.
The top three skills for an art director include graphic design, art direction and creative concepts. The most important skills for a graphic design manager are graphic design, project management, and customer service.
| Art Director | Graphic Design Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $88,367 | $66,975 |
| Hourly rate | $42.48 | $32.20 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 11,472 | 48,269 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
An art director's duty will vary depending on the line of industry involved. However, most of the responsibilities will revolve in taking charge of the artistic direction and decisions in a project or campaign. Most of the time, it is an art director's call to conceptualize and bring a vision to completion and take the lead in coordinating with various artists and creative staff. Furthermore, an art director must oversee the progress of workflow and workforce, develop plans and strategies, and approve or provide suggestions in every creative output from staff.
A graphic design manager is primarily in charge of leading and overseeing the efforts of a graphic design team, ensuring adherence to goals and deadlines. It is their duty to learn and analyze the purpose of design, coordinate staff, liaise with internal and external parties, set goals and objectives, manage schedules, and conceptualize plans. Furthermore, as a graphic design manager, it is essential to lead and encourage teams to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Art directors and graphic design managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Art Director | Graphic Design Manager | |
| Average salary | $88,367 | $66,975 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $135,000 | Between $49,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New York |
| Best paying company | The Walt Disney Company | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between an art director and a graphic design manager in terms of educational background:
| Art Director | Graphic Design Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Harvard University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between art directors' and graphic design managers' demographics:
| Art Director | Graphic Design Manager | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6% | Male, 48.9% Female, 51.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 13% |