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The differences between designer/art directors and web graphic designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a designer/art director, becoming a web graphic designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a designer/art director has an average salary of $97,448, which is higher than the $52,574 average annual salary of a web graphic designer.
The top three skills for a designer/art director include photography, graphic design and creative concepts. The most important skills for a web graphic designer are graphic design, wordpress, and HTML.
| Designer/Art Director | Web Graphic Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,448 | $52,574 |
| Hourly rate | $46.85 | $25.28 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 53,314 | 51,462 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
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.
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.
Designer/art directors and web graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Designer/Art Director | Web Graphic Designer | |
| Average salary | $97,448 | $52,574 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $157,000 | Between $37,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Maryland |
| Best paying company | The Walt Disney Company | Activision Blizzard |
| Best paying industry | Media | Technology |
There are a few differences between a designer/art director and a web graphic designer in terms of educational background:
| Designer/Art Director | Web Graphic Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Harvard University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between designer/art directors' and web graphic designers' demographics:
| Designer/Art Director | Web Graphic Designer | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0% | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% |
| 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, 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 | 11% | 13% |