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The differences between graphic design managers 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 design manager and a visual designer. Additionally, a visual designer has an average salary of $86,495, 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 visual designer are sketch, visual design, and graphic design.
| Graphic Design Manager | Visual Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $66,975 | $86,495 |
| Hourly rate | $32.20 | $41.58 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 48,269 | 46,815 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
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 design managers and visual designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Design Manager | Visual Designer | |
| Average salary | $66,975 | $86,495 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $91,000 | Between $51,000 And $143,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | ByteDance |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a graphic design manager and a visual designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Design Manager | Visual Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | 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 design managers' and visual designers' demographics:
| Graphic Design Manager | Visual Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.9% Female, 51.1% | 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% |