Post job

What is a design and production assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

Design and production assistants help to prepare material for online or printed publications. They contribute to the work of editorial departments and may be involved in every phase of the work, from cover design, layout creation, and digital platform management to creating newsletters, reports, posters, or documents, making sure the visual identity of the publisher is consistent across all outputs.

Familiarity with image editing, publishing, and typesetting software, such as Photoshop or Indesign will definitely come in handy, and you will probably become an expert in them if you hold the position long enough. Familiarity with imposition software, digital printers, and general knowledge of currently used printing technologies will most likely be required of you as well.

Keen attention to detail, a good eye for design, patience, dedication, and high production standards are personality traits that your employer will be looking for when you apply for a design and production assistant position. A qualification in graphic or communication design is usually expected, and experience working in a similar setting will surely give you a head start.

ScoreDesign And Production AssistantUS Average
Salary
3.3

Avg. Salary $41,685

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.0

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 3.82%

Black or African American 9.24%

Hispanic or Latino 16.17%

Unknown 3.87%

White 66.17%

Gender

female 63.38%

male 36.62%

Age - 52
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 52
Stress level
6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.4

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Design and production assistant career paths

Key steps to become a design and production assistant

  1. Explore design and production assistant education requirements

    Most common design and production assistant degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.8 %

    Associate

    23.2 %

    High School Diploma

    4.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific design and production assistant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Auto CAD11.36%
    Design Library9.64%
    Adobe Illustrator7.38%
    Adobe Photoshop6.11%
    Tech Packs4.60%
  3. Complete relevant design and production assistant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New design and production assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a design and production assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real design and production assistant resumes.
  4. Research design and production assistant duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the website and twitter page, write the blog posts and attend numerous fashion shows and sample sale rooms.
    • Sketch daily and brainstorm with creative director on new styles.
    • Sketch designs on illustrator, update sketch and trim information to PLM.
    • Create PowerPoint presentations for merchandising meetings.
  5. Prepare your design and production assistant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your design and production assistant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a design and production assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable design and production assistant resume templates

    Build a professional design and production assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your design and production assistant resume.
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
    Design And Production Assistant Resume
  6. Apply for design and production assistant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a design and production assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first design and production assistant job

Zippi

Are you a design and production assistant?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average design and production assistant salary

The average design and production assistant salary in the United States is $41,685 per year or $20 per hour. Design and production assistant salaries range between $29,000 and $58,000 per year.

Average design and production assistant salary
$41,685 Yearly
$20.04 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do design and production assistants rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Design and production assistant reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

It my passion to help people in need. It makes me feel good to see people the Youth do well in the life


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

everything except phones : Meeting,greeting, customer service, interviewing, on boarding, recruiting, presenting, etc.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019
Cons

What I don't like about the Production Assistant job is that it's quite uncertain when your next job will be.


Working as a design and production assistant? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs