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What is a graphic design manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
introduction image

Graphic design managers are creative and artistic by nature. Their main purpose is to manage the graphics and design teams and/or departments. They get to apply the artistic nature of theirs in a corporate environment.

Some of the responsibilities and duties that they execute in this capacity include developing various design strategies, managing the design team, collaborating with the product and marketing team to gain more insight, presenting further design ideas and improving current designs and graphics, and evaluating design performance of the team or juniors. Essential skills required to be successful at this position are artistic innovation, conflict management, leadership, interpersonal, and communication.

To successfully qualify for this position, employers usually require a master's degree in graphic design, visual arts, or similar field. Moreover, prior work experience in a related position will be advantageous. The average hourly pay for the position is $30.27, which amounts to over $63,000 annually. The career is also projected to see growth in the near future.

What general advice would you give to a graphic design manager?

Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.

Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida

I was once told, if you do what you love, you will never "work" a day in your life. I have found this true in my own career and hope our VPA graduates will find it true in theirs as well. The arts offer such a unique means of engaging and we, as arts educators, have an ability to "reach" those we have contact with, in a unique way.
ScoreGraphic Design ManagerUS Average
Salary
5.2

Avg. Salary $66,975

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.2

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 10.42%

Black or African American 3.42%

Hispanic or Latino 10.63%

Unknown 4.99%

White 70.17%

Gender

female 51.14%

male 48.86%

Age - 37
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37
Stress level
4.2

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Graphic design manager career paths

Key steps to become a graphic design manager

  1. Explore graphic design manager education requirements

    Most common graphic design manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.0 %

    Associate

    23.0 %

    Master's

    3.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific graphic design manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Graphic Design8.58%
    Project Management6.96%
    Customer Service6.64%
    Adobe Photoshop5.80%
    Adobe Creative Suite4.74%
  3. Complete relevant graphic design manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New graphic design managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a graphic design manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real graphic design manager resumes.
  4. Research graphic design manager duties and 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.
  5. Prepare your graphic design manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your graphic design manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a graphic design manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable graphic design manager resume templates

    Build a professional graphic design manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your graphic design manager resume.
    Graphic Design Manager Resume
    Graphic Design Manager Resume
    Graphic Design Manager Resume
    Graphic Design Manager Resume
    Graphic Design Manager Resume
    Graphic Design Manager Resume
    Graphic Design Manager Resume
    Graphic Design Manager Resume
    Graphic Design Manager Resume
  6. Apply for graphic design manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a graphic design manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first graphic design manager job

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Average graphic design manager salary

The average graphic design manager salary in the United States is $66,975 per year or $32 per hour. Graphic design manager salaries range between $49,000 and $91,000 per year.

Average graphic design manager salary
$66,975 Yearly
$32.20 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do graphic design managers rate their job?

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Graphic design manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

There is so much to like about working as Graphic Designer ... the seeing how all the elements of words, space, colors, visuals (photos, graphics, charts,...) come together on a page...sharing info with others to learn and use

Cons

When working with others who can not make up their minds as deadline approaches nor take responsibility and blames others for their own "misdoings".


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Creativity, Innovation, Intact Brand Integrity through Brand Guidelines

Cons

Interference in mid of work.


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

What I like most about a designer is doing work with Fonts designing projects designing


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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