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The differences between design directors and art directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a design director, becoming an art director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a design director has an average salary of $132,823, which is higher than the $88,367 average annual salary of an art director.
The top three skills for a design director include sketch, human centered design and product design. The most important skills for an art director are graphic design, art direction, and creative concepts.
| Design Director | Art Director | |
| Yearly salary | $132,823 | $88,367 |
| Hourly rate | $63.86 | $42.48 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 48,337 | 11,472 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
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.
An art director's duty will vary depending on the line of industry involved. However, most of the responsibilities will revolve in taking charge of the artistic direction and decisions in a project or campaign. Most of the time, it is an art director's call to conceptualize and bring a vision to completion and take the lead in coordinating with various artists and creative staff. Furthermore, an art director must oversee the progress of workflow and workforce, develop plans and strategies, and approve or provide suggestions in every creative output from staff.
Design directors and art directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Director | Art Director | |
| Average salary | $132,823 | $88,367 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $212,000 | Between $57,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Proenza Schouler | The Walt Disney Company |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a design director and an art director in terms of educational background:
| Design Director | Art Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between design directors' and art directors' demographics:
| Design Director | Art Director | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% | Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 11% |