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The differences between graphic art designers and visual designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a graphic art designer and a visual designer. Additionally, a visual designer has an average salary of $86,495, which is higher than the $42,598 average annual salary of a graphic art designer.
The top three skills for a graphic art designer include graphic design, web design and design. The most important skills for a visual designer are sketch, visual design, and graphic design.
| Graphic Art Designer | Visual Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $42,598 | $86,495 |
| Hourly rate | $20.48 | $41.58 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 47,181 | 46,815 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A graphic art designer specializes in conceptualizing and planning various art projects. They typically work at publishing companies, advertising agencies, tv and film industry, and other commercial art settings, together with graphic artists and other creators. Their responsibilities usually revolve around coordinating with the creative team, identifying the clients' preferences and projects' requirements, utilizing software and programs, developing layouts and drafts, presenting designs to clients, and performing revisions as necessary. Moreover, a graphic art designer must maintain an active communication line with team members for an efficient and smooth workflow.
A visual designer is someone who creates designs for a variety of platforms such as Internet and intranet sites, games, and wearables. The duties of visual designers depend on the specific project or industry in which they are working. Duties include creating user-centered interaction models, working with information technology and business teams to resolve complex issues, and designing logos, icons, and infographics. The qualifications to become a visual designer include possessing strong problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills and obtaining a bachelor's degree in design.
Graphic art designers and visual designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Art Designer | Visual Designer | |
| Average salary | $42,598 | $86,495 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $70,000 | Between $51,000 And $143,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | ByteDance |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a graphic art designer and a visual designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Art Designer | Visual Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphic art designers' and visual designers' demographics:
| Graphic Art Designer | Visual Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3% | Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 13% | 13% |