What does a design chief do?
Design chief responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real design chief resumes:
- Manage REVIT models for various BIM projects including updating, cleaning, and linking arch models for MEP design.
- Create and present artwork and PowerPoint presentations for senior management, the sales and marketing group, and dealer viewing.
- Compile PowerPoint presentations for trend inspiration and verification involving motion and music.
- Elicit and gather user and business requirements through design sessions, brainstorming and prototyping.
- Design and oversee graphics for apparel lines, integrating original style-guide art concepts with innovative detailing.
- Establish agency-wide design production process guidelines, evaluate and implement new department software, and create procedures for prototyping.
- Establish architecture process allowing architecture evolution through contributions
- Design, check and revise MEP drawings for major commercial projects.
- Create a software product call aniMate that simplifies 3D character animation.
- Generate 3D solid models , 2D drawings, product documentation, manuals, and BOM's for all products.
- Establish architecture process allowing architecture evolution through contributions
Design chief skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Design Chiefs are proficient in Website Design, Design Process, and User Experience. They’re also known for soft skills such as Artistic ability, Computer skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Design Chiefs that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Website Design, 10%
Directed brand design, iOS app user interface, website design + development, video direction, and all marketing material.
- Design Process, 9%
Inspired stakeholders and donors by leading participatory design processes that created consensus around need and vision.
- User Experience, 7%
Designed the User Experience for ArcSight Command Center from the ground up.
- Product Design, 7%
Lead all visual perception of the company from branding, app development, marketing and product design.
- CSS, 6%
Assist in developing websites by writing HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript code.
- Design Solutions, 6%
Produce design solutions that have a high visual influence.
Most design chiefs use their skills in "website design," "design process," and "user experience" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential design chief responsibilities here:
Artistic ability. One of the key soft skills for a design chief to have is artistic ability. You can see how this relates to what design chiefs do because "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers." Additionally, a design chief resume shows how design chiefs use artistic ability: "designed updates and proofread websites for errors offered artistic consulting services for website design developed logo and other graphic elements"
Computer skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling design chief duties is computer skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." According to a design chief resume, here's how design chiefs can utilize computer skills in their job responsibilities: "developed computer graphics and page-layout software, graphic elements and photography. "
Time-management skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of design chiefs is time-management skills. This skill is critical to many everyday design chief duties, as "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "balanced workload, established cad reviews, ensured all team members trackedtoward product creation calendar deadlines, and met seasonal briefs. "
Creativity. design chief responsibilities often require "creativity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." This resume example shows what design chiefs do with creativity on a typical day: "manage global automotive vinyl creative direction and identity with representatives in asia, europe, and usa. "
Analytical skills. Another crucial skill for a design chief to carry out their responsibilities is "analytical skills." A big part of what design chiefs relies on this skill, since "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." How this skill relates to design chief duties can be seen in an example from a design chief resume snippet: "used matlab/simulink, solidworks, mastercam, missile datcom, xfoil, and microsoft excel to design and analyze system components. "
Communication skills. Another skill commonly found on design chief job descriptions is "communication skills." It can come up quite often in design chief duties, since "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day design chief responsibilities: "developed strong cross-functional partnership with merchandising, production and overseas partners to ensure best in class communication and development processes. "
The three companies that hire the most design chiefs are:
- Nokia5 design chiefs jobs
- HRSD
2 design chiefs jobs
- General Electric1 design chiefs jobs
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Compare different design chiefs
Design chief vs. Graphic artist
A graphic artist is either an illustrator or an animator who creates art work that will be used in graphic projects such as advertisements, posters, or even book covers. Although a graphic artist has his/her own style of artwork, he/she may be often commissioned to create art specifically for a particular project. A graphic artist may work with a graphic designer in order to convey the overall message of a project. The portfolio of a graphic artist includes cartoons, illustrations, and graphic novels.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a design chief are more likely to require skills like "website design," "design process," "user experience," and "product design." On the other hand, a job as a graphic artist requires skills like "adobe illustrator," "photography," "brochures," and "powerpoint." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that graphic artists earn slightly differ from design chiefs. In particular, graphic artists are 8.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a design chief. Additionally, they're 1.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Design chief vs. Production artist
A production artist is responsible for managing digital content, meeting clients' standard specifications and requests for successful project completion. Production artists must have computer proficiency, especially on utilizing various software tools and applications to create illustrations and layouts. They also work closely with the creative team, cooperating in brainstorming sessions to ensure the consistency for each assigned task. A production artist should be keen on details, adjusting outputs as needed to maintain the highest quality for the actual presentation.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, design chief responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "website design," "design process," "user experience," and "product design." Meanwhile, a production artist has duties that require skills in areas such as "adobe illustrator," "production art," "photography," and "mac." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Production artists earn lower levels of education than design chiefs in general. They're 8.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Design chief vs. Senior graphic designer
A senior graphic designer oversees all of the designing operations in a company, from conceptualization to production. One of their primary responsibilities is to ensure that all designs produced are according to a client's preference and brand. They also encourage fresh ideas from the team, communicate with clients or representatives, and manage the schedules to meet all deadlines. Furthermore, as a senior graphic designer, they are responsible for leading and mentoring a team of graphic designers, all in the joint effort to reach project goals.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from design chief resumes include skills like "product design," "interaction design," "design studio," and "solidworks," whereas a senior graphic designer is more likely to list skills in "sketch," "creative concepts," "powerpoint," and "html css. "
Most senior graphic designers achieve a lower degree level compared to design chiefs. For example, they're 7.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Design chief vs. Graphic design specialist
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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between design chiefs and graphic design specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a design chief might have more use for skills like "design process," "user experience," "product design," and "design solutions." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of graphic design specialists require skills like "visualization," "powerpoint," "integrated marketing," and "brochures. "
Graphic design specialists reach lower levels of education compared to design chiefs, in general. The difference is that they're 6.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of design chief
Updated January 8, 2025
