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The differences between design consultants and design directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a design consultant, becoming a design director takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a design director has an average salary of $132,823, which is higher than the $77,803 average annual salary of a design consultant.
The top three skills for a design consultant include product knowledge, java and design process. The most important skills for a design director are sketch, human centered design, and product design.
| Design Consultant | Design Director | |
| Yearly salary | $77,803 | $132,823 |
| Hourly rate | $37.41 | $63.86 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 59,470 | 48,337 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A design consultant is an individual who provides expertise incorporating functionality and aesthetics to a space or product based on the evaluation of the needs of customers or clients. Design consultants may collaborate with other professionals such as architects, graphic designers, or fashion designers to cater to the needs of their customers. They assist in improving existing designs, either in interior designs, fashions, or graphics. Design consultants may also work in different work settings like retail stores, architectural companies, or graphic design firms.
A design director spearheads and oversees design projects in a company or organization. They typically have the authority to lead the creative and design teams, make significant decisions, delegate responsibilities, set goals and schedules, manage budgets and resources, and direct the project's cycle from planning to execution. They also coordinate with clients and solve issues when any arise. Additionally, a design director leads and encourages teams to reach goals, all while implementing standards and policies, developing new ones when necessary.
Design consultants and design directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Consultant | Design Director | |
| Average salary | $77,803 | $132,823 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $119,000 | Between $82,000 And $212,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Washington |
| Best paying company | Slalom | Proenza Schouler |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a design consultant and a design director in terms of educational background:
| Design Consultant | Design Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Interior Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Cornell University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between design consultants' and design directors' demographics:
| Design Consultant | Design Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.1% Female, 51.9% | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 23% | 13% |