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The differences between designer/art directors and freelance art directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a designer/art director and a freelance art director. Additionally, a designer/art director has an average salary of $97,448, which is higher than the $85,453 average annual salary of a freelance art director.
The top three skills for a designer/art director include photography, graphic design and creative concepts. The most important skills for a freelance art director are photography, strong work ethic, and creative development.
| Designer/Art Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Yearly salary | $97,448 | $85,453 |
| Hourly rate | $46.85 | $41.08 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 53,314 | 9,215 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An art director collaborates with the design and art staff for books, public relations firms, advertising agencies, or newspaper publishers. Art directors create designs and layouts that embody the organization and send the message they want the audience to get. They work with producers and directors of theatres, television, and movie productions to oversee set designs. Being an art director also includes critiquing people's work, working to reach deadlines while still following the budget allocated for a certain project, and (on occasion) disciplining designers who are slacking off on the job.
As a freelance art director, you will work hand-in-hand with the production designer to procure works of art for your organization. Note that your duties will depend on your particular industry. Generally, though, you will determine the artistic tone of various projects and use visuals to give life to magazines, websites, ad campaigns, and lots more. You may also lead a team of artists, evaluate the art, and approve copies. In this role, it is very likely you will work for an advertising agency, publisher, or media production company.
Designer/art directors and freelance art directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Designer/Art Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Average salary | $97,448 | $85,453 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $157,000 | Between $51,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | The Walt Disney Company | - |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a designer/art director and a freelance art director in terms of educational background:
| Designer/Art Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between designer/art directors' and freelance art directors' demographics:
| Designer/Art Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0% | Male, 59.1% Female, 40.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |