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Design director vs web graphic designer

The differences between design directors and web graphic 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 graphic designer. Additionally, a design director has an average salary of $132,823, which is higher than the $52,574 average annual salary of a web graphic designer.

The top three skills for a design director include sketch, human centered design and product design. The most important skills for a web graphic designer are graphic design, wordpress, and HTML.

Design director vs web graphic designer overview

Design DirectorWeb Graphic Designer
Yearly salary$132,823$52,574
Hourly rate$63.86$25.28
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs48,33751,462
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a design director do?

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.

What does a web graphic designer do?

A web graphic designer specializes in the aesthetics and functionality of a web platform, software, and other applications. They are primarily responsible for building a platform that adheres to the subject's purpose and the client's preferred theme while prioritizing an easy-to-use and navigate interface. They must conduct regular testing and maintenance on the platform to ensure its efficiency and significance to the brand involved. Furthermore, a web graphic designer may work independently or work for a company, usually within a team setting.

Design director vs web graphic designer salary

Design directors and web graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Design DirectorWeb Graphic Designer
Average salary$132,823$52,574
Salary rangeBetween $82,000 And $212,000Between $37,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonMaryland
Best paying companyProenza SchoulerActivision Blizzard
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between design director and web graphic designer education

There are a few differences between a design director and a web graphic designer in terms of educational background:

Design DirectorWeb Graphic Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Design director vs web graphic designer demographics

Here are the differences between design directors' and web graphic designers' demographics:

Design DirectorWeb Graphic Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 60.0% Female, 40.0%Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage13%13%

Differences between design director and web graphic designer duties and responsibilities

Design director example responsibilities.

  • Delegate and manage technical and cad team; fittings; and associate designers.
  • Manage and grow brand s social media outlets; Facebook, twitter and Instagram.
  • Manage product backlog and lead agile team in shipping SaaS products from ideation to delivery.
  • Design, manage, and execute development of all products, from concept sketch through production.
  • Manage the creation and implementation of new design tools, and modifications to the RF design specifications.
  • Manage REVIT models for various BIM projects including updating, cleaning, and linking arch models for MEP design.
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Web graphic designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and develop a stream line Intranet site for better communication purposes and quicker access to documents and company information
  • Close collaboration with Java developers to create and design variety of websites for both personal and business use in HTML CSS.
  • Develop page layout with cool navigation buttons with animation using JQuery plugins.
  • Improve overall styling and styling issues on iPad app, mostly utilizing CSS3 and jQuery.
  • Enhance SEM / SEO strategy to place company at top of Google search for relevant keywords.
  • Assist with all aspect of project lifecycle from concept storyboards, sketch through wire frames to final design.
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Design director vs web graphic designer skills

Common design director skills
  • Sketch, 12%
  • Human Centered Design, 8%
  • Product Design, 6%
  • User Experience, 5%
  • Architecture, 5%
  • UI, 4%
Common web graphic designer skills
  • Graphic Design, 7%
  • WordPress, 6%
  • HTML, 6%
  • CSS, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%
  • Website Design, 5%

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