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Designer vs stylist

The differences between designers and stylists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a designer, becoming a stylist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a designer has an average salary of $66,347, which is higher than the $37,985 average annual salary of a stylist.

The top three skills for a designer include sketch, customer service and graphic design. The most important skills for a stylist are good time management, POS, and data entry.

Designer vs stylist overview

DesignerStylist
Yearly salary$66,347$37,985
Hourly rate$31.90$18.26
Growth rate3%11%
Number of jobs52,43349,296
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age3840
Years of experience122

What does a designer do?

A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences. Designers are creative thinkers with a great eye to configure the skeletal and structural properties of the targeted output. They work in several fields, such as fashion, architecture, web graphics, and user experience. In spite of the variety of professionals in the design industry, all of them are artistic, passionate, inspiring, and emotionally connected to their projects and brands.

What does a stylist do?

A stylist is responsible for providing fashion advice, choosing the appropriate clothing for models, maintaining the fashion style, and supervising photoshoots. Stylists must always be updated with the latest fashion trends for recommendations. A stylist must have excellent communication skills to connect with various brand management and fashion stores for purchasing items or inquiring about clothing collections. In some cases, stylists are usually consulted by a team of the fashion brand to give inputs on the appropriate style, including color schemes and overall design.

Designer vs stylist salary

Designers and stylists have different pay scales, as shown below.

DesignerStylist
Average salary$66,347$37,985
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $97,000Between $27,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WADenver, CO
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyMetaColumbia International University
Best paying industryTechnologyHospitality

Differences between designer and stylist education

There are a few differences between a designer and a stylist in terms of educational background:

DesignerStylist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorGraphic DesignCosmetology
Most common collegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Designer vs stylist demographics

Here are the differences between designers' and stylists' demographics:

DesignerStylist
Average age3840
Gender ratioMale, 56.9% Female, 43.1%Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.1% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage13%12%

Differences between designer and stylist duties and responsibilities

Designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead & design all creative content stemming from apparel design to web identity.
  • Manage various PCB designs utilizing state of the art DFM techniques and comply with company standards.
  • Utilize CSS, DHTML, HTML, and JavaScript for cross browser, cross platform compatibility and consistency.
  • Develop different kinds of functions globally, locally for the development of forms using JavaScript, CSS.
  • Transform customer specifications into usable SolidWorks 3D models and assemblies from which all manufacturing are derived.
  • Process ECR's and ECO's using Windchill.
  • Show more

Stylist example responsibilities.

  • Manage salon, payroll, purchasing and inventory utilizing corporate policies.
  • Manage cleaning up activities after hair care appointments by ensuring appropriate cleanliness and sterilization of cutting and trimming equipment.
  • Perform general receptionist tasks such as answering phones, using POS system, handling money transactions, and scheduling appointments.
  • Create personal``Lookbooks"for clients through social media.
  • Assist in marketing and social media via Instagram, Facebook and USD club meetings.
  • Contract great clips for service to hire temps on a temporary basis to assist shifts salons need.
  • Show more

Designer vs stylist skills

Common designer skills
  • Sketch, 10%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Graphic Design, 6%
  • CSS, 5%
  • HTML, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
Common stylist skills
  • Good Time Management, 14%
  • POS, 11%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Excellent Training, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%

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