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Graphic design manager vs senior designer

The differences between graphic design managers and senior 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 design manager and a senior designer. Additionally, a senior designer has an average salary of $102,058, 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 a senior designer are sketch, graphic design, and human centered design.

Graphic design manager vs senior designer overview

Graphic Design ManagerSenior Designer
Yearly salary$66,975$102,058
Hourly rate$32.20$49.07
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs48,26947,503
Job satisfaction-1
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a graphic design manager do?

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.

What does a senior designer do?

Senior designers are typically in charge of realizing design solutions that adhere to the business goals and marketing strategies of an organization. They should be comfortable managing graphics designers and making decisions. They must have extensive knowledge of styles, layout techniques, and graphic design while also managing projects and people effectively. Senior designers have a variety of duties, which include delegating tasks to junior designers, maintaining high-quality standards, and collaborating to improve digital creativity standards.

Graphic design manager vs senior designer salary

Graphic design managers and senior designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graphic Design ManagerSenior Designer
Average salary$66,975$102,058
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $91,000Between $72,000 And $143,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyMetaLyft
Best paying industryFinanceMedia

Differences between graphic design manager and senior designer education

There are a few differences between a graphic design manager and a senior designer in terms of educational background:

Graphic Design ManagerSenior Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graphic design manager vs senior designer demographics

Here are the differences between graphic design managers' and senior designers' demographics:

Graphic Design ManagerSenior Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 48.9% Female, 51.1%Male, 71.0% Female, 29.0%
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, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between graphic design manager and senior designer duties and responsibilities

Graphic design manager example responsibilities.

  • Train employees how to utilize CMS to manage Psych.org content by assigning department web liaisons in web management tasks
  • Create ads, manage copywriting, respond to customer inquiries, generate brand unity, establish clear company identity.
  • Operate and maintain CNC machinery to increase shop productivity.
  • Use HTML and image editors as needed to maintain product catalog.
  • Operate computer and thermal wax printer to create heat transferable patterns.
  • Identify and implement SEO and SEM tactics that deliver quality measurable results.
  • Show more

Senior designer example responsibilities.

  • Identify, plan and lead brainstorming sessions for new blue-sky product opportunities across all boys' lines.
  • Design all marketing collateral within those standards including flyers, ads, conference materials, brochures, and design mailed pieces.
  • Implement HTML and CSS tags.
  • Format designs and media for use in print and web applications; deliver production-ready graphics in HTML and CSS.
  • Design and production of marketing materials, PowerPoint templates for pitch decks, event graphics, various collateral and HTML e-mails.
  • Lead the team in brainstorming sessions and assist with market research and testing.
  • Show more

Graphic design manager vs senior designer skills

Common graphic design manager skills
  • Graphic Design, 9%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 5%
  • Brochures, 5%
Common senior designer skills
  • Sketch, 15%
  • Graphic Design, 5%
  • Human Centered Design, 4%
  • User Experience, 4%
  • UI, 4%
  • CAD, 4%

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