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The differences between design directors and web designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a design director and a web designer. Additionally, a design director has an average salary of $132,823, which is higher than the $63,842 average annual salary of a web designer.
The top three skills for a design director include sketch, human centered design and product design. The most important skills for a web designer are HTML, CSS, and wordpress.
| Design Director | Web Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $132,823 | $63,842 |
| Hourly rate | $63.86 | $30.69 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 48,337 | 50,899 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A web designer is a creative professional responsible for creating and redesigning the content and layout of websites. Web designers are required to meet clients and users to discuss the needs and goals of their clients. To create graphics, colors, and fonts, web designers usually use HTML coding to alter the website's layout. Web designers must build their portfolio by taking on unique projects for themselves and the people they know.
Design directors and web designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Director | Web Designer | |
| Average salary | $132,823 | $63,842 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $212,000 | Between $42,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Proenza Schouler | NVIDIA |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Internet |
There are a few differences between a design director and a web designer in terms of educational background:
| Design Director | Web Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between design directors' and web designers' demographics:
| Design Director | Web Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% | Male, 62.3% Female, 37.7% |
| 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, 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 | 13% | 13% |