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The differences between creative directors & designer and freelance art directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a creative director & designer, becoming a freelance art director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a creative director & designer has an average salary of $108,589, which is higher than the $85,453 average annual salary of a freelance art director.
The top three skills for a creative director & designer include graphic design, sketch and photography. The most important skills for a freelance art director are photography, strong work ethic, and creative development.
| Creative Director & Designer | Freelance Art Director | |
| Yearly salary | $108,589 | $85,453 |
| Hourly rate | $52.21 | $41.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 52,688 | 9,215 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
Creative Directors and Designers are responsible for leading the creative output and brand representation of a product, service, or organization's publication. Their duties include developing visual communication strategies across design, content, graphics, artworks, and media, implement industry benchmarks, leading creative marketing campaigns, and working with the design team to create product or service design. Besides that, they are involved in setting the creative direction and message of a brand and supervising the creative team in ensuring brand touchpoints consistency. Creative Directors and Designers also monitor project delivery and assist in creative project budgeting.
As a freelance art director, you will work hand-in-hand with the production designer to procure works of art for your organization. Note that your duties will depend on your particular industry. Generally, though, you will determine the artistic tone of various projects and use visuals to give life to magazines, websites, ad campaigns, and lots more. You may also lead a team of artists, evaluate the art, and approve copies. In this role, it is very likely you will work for an advertising agency, publisher, or media production company.
Creative directors & designer and freelance art directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Creative Director & Designer | Freelance Art Director | |
| Average salary | $108,589 | $85,453 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $163,000 | Between $51,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Meta | - |
| Best paying industry | Internet | - |
There are a few differences between a creative director & designer and a freelance art director in terms of educational background:
| Creative Director & Designer | Freelance Art Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between creative directors & designer' and freelance art directors' demographics:
| Creative Director & Designer | Freelance Art Director | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% | Male, 59.1% Female, 40.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 11% |