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The differences between graphic design managers and associate art directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a graphic design manager, becoming an associate art director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an associate art director has an average salary of $82,664, which is higher than the $66,975 average annual salary of a graphic design manager.
The top three skills for a graphic design manager include graphic design, project management and customer service. The most important skills for an associate art director are graphic design, photography, and adobe creative suite.
| Graphic Design Manager | Associate Art Director | |
| Yearly salary | $66,975 | $82,664 |
| Hourly rate | $32.20 | $39.74 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 48,269 | 8,646 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
A graphic design manager is primarily in charge of leading and overseeing the efforts of a graphic design team, ensuring adherence to goals and deadlines. It is their duty to learn and analyze the purpose of design, coordinate staff, liaise with internal and external parties, set goals and objectives, manage schedules, and conceptualize plans. Furthermore, as a graphic design manager, it is essential to lead and encourage teams to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Associate art directors are professionals who assist art directors in performing creative-driven tasks such as producing graphic design for brands, layouts, and advertisements. These associate art directors are required to stay updated on the latest techniques using computer-aided design software such as PhotoShop, AutoCAD, and After Effects. They must organize photoshoots and work with PR managers and agents to coordinate the schedules of their models. Associate art directors must also establish a graphic design studio team and provide training for their designers and interns.
Graphic design managers and associate art directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Design Manager | Associate Art Director | |
| Average salary | $66,975 | $82,664 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $91,000 | Between $49,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Levi Strauss & Co. |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Media |
There are a few differences between a graphic design manager and an associate art director in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Design Manager | Associate Art Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between graphic design managers' and associate art directors' demographics:
| Graphic Design Manager | Associate Art Director | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.9% Female, 51.1% | Male, 46.7% Female, 53.3% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 11% |