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The differences between art directors and graphic design specialists 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 specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an art director has an average salary of $88,367, which is higher than the $55,925 average annual salary of a graphic design specialist.
The top three skills for an art director include graphic design, art direction and creative concepts. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.
| Art Director | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $88,367 | $55,925 |
| Hourly rate | $42.48 | $26.89 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 11,472 | 49,055 |
| 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 specialist utilizes their artistic expertise in creating imagery and designs that convey a particular message. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs and goals, developing concepts and subjecting it for client approval, and revising designs as necessary. In a company setting, a graphic design specialist may work with a team, coordinating with them while sticking to budgets and deadlines. Furthermore, as a team member, it is essential to report to managers or supervisors, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Art directors and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Art Director | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $88,367 | $55,925 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $135,000 | Between $38,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | The Walt Disney Company | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an art director and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Art Director | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| 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 specialists' demographics:
| Art Director | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6% | Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0% |
| 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% |