What does a design coordinator do?
A design coordinator is responsible for collating and analyzing designs for construction that meet business requirements and budget limitations. Design coordinators create expenses forecasting by identifying the resources and materials to be used and the estimated duration for project deliverables. They also coordinate with the clients to share progress updates and modify plans as needed according to specifications. A design coordinator negotiates contract offers with suppliers and third-party vendors, minimize excessive costings, and ensure high-quality outputs.
Design coordinator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real design coordinator resumes:
- Manage all POS project costs, invoice and bill clients.
- Manage the conversion of catalog data to HTML for FTG's on-line purchasing initiative.
- Develop construction drawings using AutoCAD; coordinate bid process and vendor selection; and manage construction process through final punch list.
- Participate in sketch reviews, fittings, and inspiration meetings.
- Create PDF application forms, edit photos and create PowerPoint presentations.
- Make Microsoft PowerPoint presentations including all sales aids for each market.
- Proofread and verify all artwork with customer service representatives and clients prior to production.
- Sketch and record changes request on elevations, floor plans, and electrical plans by buyer.
- Coordinate between HVAC, fire suppression, plumbing and electrical with require work to be done.
- Proofread market labels for errors in typing, spelling, syntax, and form to ensure EPA compliance.
- Design advertisement materials such as flyers.
- Create and distribute informational and promotional brochures and fliers.
- Provide customer support on a daily basis to troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues.
- Recognize for ability to understand, define and troubleshoot problem areas and clearly communicate technical solutions to non-technical users
- Design publicity brochures for public library, affiliate children's library and local access TV station using desktop publishing
Design coordinator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Design Coordinators are proficient in Revit, Sketch, and BIM. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Time-management skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Design Coordinators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Revit, 13%
Specialized Law Enforcement Revit families.
- Sketch, 8%
Received training on Shaw Cable Manager, Smart Plant, Smart Sketch, PDS Equipment modeling, and PDS EE raceway.
- BIM, 7%
Created, revised and implemented new core process guidelines for BIM training purposes.
- Design Projects, 6%
Managed operational, financial, quote/bid, and administrative functions pertaining to all design projects
- Project Management, 6%
Delivered outstanding project management for condo conversions and luxury high-rise buildings for a family-owned and operated real estate development company.
- Graphic Design, 5%
Distributed incoming information to expedite the completion of graphic design or production projects.
Most design coordinators use their skills in "revit," "sketch," and "bim" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential design coordinator responsibilities here:
Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for a design coordinator to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." Additionally, a design coordinator resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "experience in computer aided design and implementing customer requirements. "
Time-management skills. Another essential skill to perform design coordinator duties is time-management skills. Design coordinators responsibilities require that "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." Design coordinators also use time-management skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "communicated with other departments to ensure the progress and on time completion of design projects. "
Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of design coordinators is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday design coordinator duties, as "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." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "manage website and develop content style and product development forecast, research, and analyze upcoming trends"
Communication skills. design coordinator responsibilities often require "communication skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." This resume example shows what design coordinators do with communication skills on a typical day: "implemented a paperless filing system for documents and shop drawings to facilitate communication between team members working in different states. "
Artistic ability. Another crucial skill for a design coordinator to carry out their responsibilities is "artistic ability." A big part of what design coordinators relies on this skill, since "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers." How this skill relates to design coordinator duties can be seen in an example from a design coordinator resume snippet: "create engaging, artistic design concepts, marketing copy and campaign approaches to drive consumers to aetna/coventry products. "
Creativity. While "creativity" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to design coordinator responsibilities. Much of what a design coordinator does relies on this skill, seeing as "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of design coordinators: "supported technical and creative design teams within product development department)"
The three companies that hire the most design coordinators are:
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Compare different design coordinators
Design coordinator 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 coordinator are more likely to require skills like "revit," "sketch," "bim," and "project management." On the other hand, a job as a graphic artist requires skills like "art direction," "photography," "brochures," and "adobe creative suite." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Graphic artists tend to make the most money working in the non profits industry, where they earn an average salary of $68,382. In contrast, design coordinators make the biggest average salary, $62,947, in the technology industry.graphic artists tend to reach similar levels of education than design coordinators. In fact, graphic artists are 4.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Design coordinator 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real design coordinator resumes. While design coordinator responsibilities can utilize skills like "revit," "bim," "design projects," and "navisworks," senior graphic designers use skills like "adobe creative suite," "creative concepts," "html css," and "art direction."
Senior graphic designers may earn a higher salary than design coordinators, but senior graphic designers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $78,796. On the other hand, design coordinators receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $62,947.In general, senior graphic designers achieve similar levels of education than design coordinators. They're 3.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Design coordinator vs. Associate designer
An Associate Designer helps in developing sketches on paper and in graphic design software. They usually are supervised by the junior staff and interns.
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 coordinator resumes include skills like "revit," "bim," "navisworks," and "mep," whereas an associate designer is more likely to list skills in "cad," "customer service," "human centered design," and "tech packs. "
Associate designers earn the best pay in the retail industry, where they command an average salary of $61,366. Design coordinators earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,947.Most associate designers achieve a similar degree level compared to design coordinators. For example, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Design coordinator vs. Freelance designer
Freelance designers are creative, independent contractors who create visual and graphic designs for their clients. They develop text and illustrated versions of brands, messages, and communications with strong visible influence with their clients. Typical activities include networking, seeking projects, and negotiating prices to their customers. They manage client proposals, develop concepts, present solutions, and ensure the timely completion of projects. Freelance visual and graphic designers are creative, self-motivated as well as result and deadline oriented.
Types of design coordinator
Updated January 8, 2025
