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What does a design specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a design specialist do

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.

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Design specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real design specialist resumes:

  • Manage a program of training for designers without cad to get this training.
  • Develop construction drawings using AutoCAD; coordinate bid process and vendor selection; and manage construction process through final punch list.
  • Provide HTML support to the marketing department.
  • Update and maintain corporate website with Dreamweaver.
  • Create and maintain business's customer database in QuickBooks.
  • Implement front end GUI with JavaScript for client side validations.
  • Update and make changes to the AMVETS website using Dreamweaver.
  • Create retrofit packages for improve design and cost reduction purposes.
  • Require skills include knowledge of QuickBooks and USPS shipping program.
  • Modify RF section and design RF, audio and video amplifier sections
  • Work with CSS developers to design layout for web base inventory-tracking tools.
  • Document and implement design changes of the new product line using SolidWorks.
  • Convert coverage policies into HTML, web graphic, video storyboards and animations.
  • Maintain electrical systems on the CSS Baffin and its launches used for surveys.
  • Develop training classes to teach engineers new versions of Creo software when release.

Design specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Design Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Sketch, and CAD. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Visualization, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Design Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 13%

    Provided total customer service and relationship marketing through customer-centered philosophy, leading to 10% increased customer loyalty and company profitability.

  • Sketch, 7%

    Use of Freestyle Sketch Tracer (FSK) to quickly produce scaled models from drawings and photos.

  • CAD, 6%

    Provided comprehensive support to sales by accurately translating client requests into cad drawings and product specification.

  • Product Knowledge, 6%

    Utilized effective selling techniques and provided in-depth product knowledge in a fast-paced environment.

  • Adobe Creative Suite, 5%

    Produced custom graphics, backgrounds and designs for web and mobile content utilizing Adobe Creative Suite.

  • Graphic Design, 5%

    Coordinated purchasing and implementation of new apparel lines in addition to managing graphic design, networking and troubleshooting projects.

Most design specialists use their skills in "customer service," "sketch," and "cad" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential design specialist responsibilities here:

Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a design specialist to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what design specialists do because "interior designers need to be precise in measuring interior spaces and creating drawings, so that their drawings can be used by workers such as engineers or other designers." Additionally, a design specialist resume shows how design specialists use detail oriented: "measured pool decks/patios to create detailed drawing in autocad and/or cagemaster. "

Visualization. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling design specialist duties is visualization. The role rewards competence in this skill because "interior designers need a strong sense of proportion and visual awareness in order to understand how the pieces of a design will fit together to create the intended environment." According to a design specialist resume, here's how design specialists can utilize visualization in their job responsibilities: "produced photo-realistic real-time 3d visualization showroom for exxon-mobil by using autodesk 3d studio max, autodesk showcase, and adobe photoshop. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of design specialists is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday design specialist duties, as "interior designers must address challenges, such as construction delays or unavailability of certain materials, while keeping the project on time and within budget." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "offer in home and in store consultations, space planning and complete design solutions, complete product knowledge and sales"

Interpersonal skills. design specialist responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "interior designers need to be able to communicate effectively with clients and others." This resume example shows what design specialists do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "provide excellent interpersonal customer service skills. "

Artistic ability. Another crucial skill for a design specialist to carry out their responsibilities is "artistic ability." A big part of what design specialists relies on this skill, since "interior designers use their sense of style to develop aesthetically pleasing designs." How this skill relates to design specialist duties can be seen in an example from a design specialist resume snippet: "digitalized and produced a powerpoint presentation of the design principal s career and artistic work. "

Creativity. Another skill commonly found on design specialist job descriptions is "creativity." It can come up quite often in design specialist duties, since "interior designers need to be imaginative in selecting furnishings and fabrics and in creating functional spaces that serve the client’s needs and fit the client’s lifestyle." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day design specialist responsibilities: "used inventor 2010 and autocad mechanical 2010 to help design new product line *wrote vb.net programs for both inventor and autocad. "

All design specialist skills

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Compare different design specialists

Design specialist vs. Visual merchandiser

A visual merchandiser is responsible for arranging product displays at retail outlets, attracting customers to purchase the items. Visual merchandisers should be updated with the latest trends in the market to prioritize retail displays and floor plans. They must also be knowledgeable on product information to assist customers with their inquiries and concerns. Visual merchandisers should be creative in setting up the uniformity of the store's visuals within the budget goals. The designs must be appealing enough to drive the customers around the premises, potentially generating revenues and increasing profitability.

We looked at the average design specialist salary and compared it with the wages of a visual merchandiser. Generally speaking, visual merchandisers are paid $18,880 lower than design specialists per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both design specialist and visual merchandiser positions are skilled in customer service, product knowledge, and sales associates.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, design specialist responsibilities require skills like "sketch," "cad," "adobe creative suite," and "graphic design." Meanwhile a typical visual merchandiser has skills in areas such as "ladders," "store management," "drive sales," and "kids." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

On average, visual merchandisers reach similar levels of education than design specialists. Visual merchandisers are 4.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Design specialist vs. Graphic designer internship

In a graphic design internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to accomplish tasks while under the supervision of more experienced colleagues. An aspiring graphic designer may use this opportunity to observe and participate in designing for various industries, handle different clients, participate in creative meetings, and learn strategies from experts. Furthermore, there may also be technical tasks involving research and analysis, gathering materials, coordinating with vendors, and producing reports and other necessary documentation. They may also be responsible for maintaining a database and responding to calls and inquires.

Graphic designer internship positions earn lower pay than design specialist roles. They earn a $21,117 lower salary than design specialists per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both design specialists and graphic designer interns have skills such as "sketch," "adobe creative suite," and "graphic design. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, design specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "cad," "product knowledge," and "autocad." Meanwhile, a graphic designer internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "graphic design intern," "blog posts," "adobe illustrator," and "photography." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

In general, graphic designer interns achieve similar levels of education than design specialists. They're 4.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Design specialist vs. Interior design internship

When it comes to interior design internship, interns are typically responsible for performing support tasks and gaining industry insights while under the supervision of managers or senior designers. They often participate in designing spaces, responding to clients' calls and correspondence, answering inquiries, and preparing conceptual presentations for clients. They may also run errands and perform clerical tasks such as preparing progress reports and documentation, create proposals, and even schedule appointments. Moreover, as an intern, it is essential to understand and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

An average interior design internship eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of design specialists. The difference in salaries amounts to interior design interns earning a $10,942 lower average salary than design specialists.Using the responsibilities included on design specialists and interior design interns resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "sketch," "powerpoint," and "aided design.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, design specialists are more likely to have skills like "customer service," "cad," "product knowledge," and "adobe creative suite." But a interior design internship is more likely to have skills like "revit," "auto cad," "sketchup," and "design firm."

When it comes to education, interior design interns tend to earn similar degree levels compared to design specialists. In fact, they're 1.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Design specialist 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.

Associate designers typically earn lower pay than design specialists. On average, associate designers earn a $147 lower salary per year.While both design specialists and associate designers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, sketch, and cad, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between design specialists and associate designers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a design specialist might have more use for skills like "adobe creative suite," "autocad," "html," and "css." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of associate designers require skills like "human centered design," "product development," "adobe illustrator," and "tech packs. "

In general, associate designers hold similar degree levels compared to design specialists. Associate designers are 1.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of design specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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