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The differences between design specialists and graphic design specialists 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 specialist, becoming a graphic design specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a design specialist has an average salary of $56,917, which is higher than the $55,925 average annual salary of a graphic design specialist.
The top three skills for a design specialist include customer service, sketch and CAD. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.
| Design Specialist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $56,917 | $55,925 |
| Hourly rate | $27.36 | $26.89 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 68,347 | 49,055 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A design specialist is responsible for creating engaging visual images and digital content to improve customers' brand awareness about the organization's products and services. Design specialists may also work for media production, creating graphic animations for viewers depending on production requirements and media demands. A design specialist must have excellent knowledge of utilizing various software tools and programs, coordinating with the whole design team on adjusting plans, improving layouts according to budget limitations, and submitting deliverables within the set deadlines.
A graphic design specialist utilizes their artistic expertise in creating imagery and designs that convey a particular message. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs and goals, developing concepts and subjecting it for client approval, and revising designs as necessary. In a company setting, a graphic design specialist may work with a team, coordinating with them while sticking to budgets and deadlines. Furthermore, as a team member, it is essential to report to managers or supervisors, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Design specialists and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Specialist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $56,917 | $55,925 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $91,000 | Between $38,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a design specialist and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Design Specialist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Cornell University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between design specialists' and graphic design specialists' demographics:
| Design Specialist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.1% Female, 44.9% | Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0% |
| 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% |