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The differences between creative specialists and lead designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a creative specialist and a lead designer. Additionally, a lead designer has an average salary of $110,001, which is higher than the $59,079 average annual salary of a creative specialist.
The top three skills for a creative specialist include graphic design, digital marketing and marketing campaigns. The most important skills for a lead designer are sketch, user experience, and architecture.
| Creative Specialist | Lead Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $59,079 | $110,001 |
| Hourly rate | $28.40 | $52.89 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 29,855 | 45,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Creative specialists are professionals who are responsible for enhancing the effectiveness of their online content by improving the layout of their web page using graphic design and layout techniques. These specialists must possess skills in using various software such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Creative Suite to be used for their web page development, online media, and graphic design. Creative specialists are also hired by marketing companies to assist them in developing the online presence of their advertising campaigns.
A lead designer is responsible for addressing the clients' needs of digital content and coordinating with the design team for the planning and innovation of the visual design and concept. Lead designers conduct the initial layout of frameworks and collaborate with the art staff for the specifications and outputs using various software applications and digital boards. They regularly update the client of the project's status, including adjustment and design recommendations, ensuring that the plan meets the client's budget goals. A lead designer must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on running diagnostic tests to improve optimal performance.
Creative specialists and lead designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Creative Specialist | Lead Designer | |
| Average salary | $59,079 | $110,001 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $102,000 | Between $78,000 And $154,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | - | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a creative specialist and a lead designer in terms of educational background:
| Creative Specialist | Lead Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between creative specialists' and lead designers' demographics:
| Creative Specialist | Lead Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.7% Female, 58.3% | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% |
| 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, 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 | 13% | 13% |