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.
Designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real designer resumes:
- 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.
- Redesign their website using Wordpress.
- Utilize content management and FTP systems.
- Design icons and logos for android applications.
- Generate all models with AutoCAD and REVIT programs.
- Consider to be a leader and are promoted to Sr.
- Conduct meetings with contractor, owner, and MEP consultants.
- Update and organize office AutoCAD standards and implement SketchUp use in the office.
- Design and production in WordPress as well as social media setup/posting for clients.
- Design and development of common objects, which includes common, object XML files.
Designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Designers are proficient in Sketch, Customer Service, and Graphic Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Math skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Sketch, 10%
Developed handbags from initial sketch through final product including material sourcing, development of prototypes, sampling and technical specifications.
- Customer Service, 7%
Designed and coordinated personalized fruit and specialty arrangements in a timely and efficient manner * Provided clients with excellent customer service
- Graphic Design, 6%
Monitored graphic design and assets resulting in higher quality standards and consistency.
- CSS, 5%
Utilized CSS, DHTML, HTML, and JavaScript for cross browser, cross platform compatibility and consistency.
- HTML, 4%
Assisted programmer and engineer with the construction of on-line technical writing documentation using HTML
- PowerPoint, 4%
Created training seminar on how to use PowerPoint and the company presentation template effectively and provided custom companion materials.
"sketch," "customer service," and "graphic design" are among the most common skills that designers use at work. You can find even more designer responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. designer responsibilities often require "analytical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." This resume example shows what designers do with analytical skills on a typical day: "extract detail data to produce assembly drawings, lofting details, bom and create control data for production facilities. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in designer job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what designers do. Designer responsibilities rely on this skill because "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." You can also see how designer duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "created the majority of the communications-cabling engineering drawings. "
Computer skills. Another skill commonly found on designer job descriptions is "computer skills." It can come up quite often in designer duties, since "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day designer responsibilities: "prepared assembly drawings and part lists from layouts, sketches, verbal instructions and/or computer files through cad interface. "
The three companies that hire the most designers are:
- Meta155 designers jobs
- Floor & Decor98 designers jobs
- Leidos40 designers jobs
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Compare different designers
Designer vs. Graphic designer/production
A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company. Graphic designers are an integral part of a company's digital marketing, especially over the internet. The graphic designer must have a good eye for style, typesetting, and the use of colors.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a designer are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "html css," "javascript," and "revit." On the other hand, a job as a graphic designer/production requires skills like "signage," "brochures," "product photography," and "posters." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Graphic designer/productions earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $59,531. On the other hand, designers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $87,754.The education levels that graphic designer/productions earn slightly differ from designers. In particular, graphic designer/productions are 3.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a designer. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Designer vs. Graphic designer, marketing
A graphic designer of marketing specializes in developing creative imagery as part of a company's marketing efforts. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with the marketing team to share insights and strategies, conceptualizing designs in adherence to objectives and deadlines, and preparing presentations. One may also subject designs into various revisions and edits as needed. Furthermore, as a graphic designer, it is also essential to keep abreast of the latest trends and have an understanding of the target audience.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real designer resumes. While designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "html css," "javascript," and "revit," graphic designers, marketing use skills like "brochures," "blog posts," "flyers," and "in-house."
Graphic designers, marketing may earn a lower salary than designers, but graphic designers, marketing earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $52,640. On the other hand, designers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $87,754.In general, graphic designers, marketing achieve similar levels of education than designers. They're 2.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for designers in the next 3-5 years?
Abby Guido
Assistant Professor, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University
Designer 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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from designer resumes include skills like "customer service," "html css," "javascript," and "revit," whereas a graphic designer internship is more likely to list skills in "graphic design intern," "blog posts," "photography," and "flyers. "
Graphic designer interns earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $41,614. Comparatively, designers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $87,754.When it comes to education, graphic designer interns tend to earn similar degree levels compared to designers. In fact, they're 4.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Designer vs. Motion graphics designer
A motion graphic designer specializes in producing artworks used in television, film, and web. Their responsibilities often revolve around submitting within a deadline, attending creative meetings, collaborating with fellow designers, following directives from clients, producing trial designs, and editing them in adherence to senior designers or clients' recommendations. There are also instances when a motion graphic designer must manage documentation, address inquiries and concerns, and report to higher-ranking personnel. Furthermore, one may choose to work for a company or independently.
Types of designer
Updated January 8, 2025
