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The differences between concept artists and graphic design specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a concept artist, becoming a graphic design specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a concept artist has an average salary of $85,713, which is higher than the $55,925 average annual salary of a graphic design specialist.
The top three skills for a concept artist include storyboards, maya and animation. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.
| Concept Artist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $85,713 | $55,925 |
| Hourly rate | $41.21 | $26.89 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 3,596 | 49,055 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
The job of a concept artist is to make visual representations of creatures, characters, environments, vehicles, and other artistic assets. You should know about the design and how to create one that needs to blend well with any creative project. Your typical job includes drawing or painting these creative assets and providing references for any ideas you need to illustrate. The general qualifications needed to become a successful concept artist include illustration skills, design understanding, and knowledge of Photoshop.
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.
Concept artists and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Concept Artist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $85,713 | $55,925 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $130,000 | Between $38,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a concept artist and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Concept Artist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between concept artists' and graphic design specialists' demographics:
| Concept Artist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.3% Female, 25.7% | Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |