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Graphic designer/illustrator vs junior designer

The differences between graphic designer/illustrators and junior 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 designer/illustrator and a junior designer. Additionally, a junior designer has an average salary of $53,349, which is higher than the $45,124 average annual salary of a graphic designer/illustrator.

The top three skills for a graphic designer/illustrator include adobe illustrator, adobe photoshop and logo design. The most important skills for a junior designer are sketch, graphic design, and adobe creative suite.

Graphic designer/illustrator vs junior designer overview

Graphic Designer/IllustratorJunior Designer
Yearly salary$45,124$53,349
Hourly rate$21.69$25.65
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs44,85358,152
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a graphic designer/illustrator do?

As a graphic designer or illustrator, your job involves working with images to create visual displays for clients. If you work as a graphic designer, you may be required to create layouts using computer software. As a graphic illustrator, your job responsibility may revolve around drawing or painting images and uploading them to make digital copies. As a graphic designer/ illustrator, your job duties revolve around understanding the needs of your clients and being able to identify your target audience.

What does a junior designer do?

A junior designer is an entry-level professional who is responsible for creating high-quality designs according to the requirements of clients. Under the supervision of senior designers, junior designers must understand project requirements and projects and use various techniques to create drafts, models, and prototypes. They collaborate with team members to pitch in creative ideas and produce final design solutions that can include banners or logos. Junior designers must also take on specially design tasks and use feedback from other designers to improve.

Graphic designer/illustrator vs junior designer salary

Graphic designer/illustrators and junior designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graphic Designer/IllustratorJunior Designer
Average salary$45,124$53,349
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $63,000Between $43,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityMountain View, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyGoogleNike
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between graphic designer/illustrator and junior designer education

There are a few differences between a graphic designer/illustrator and a junior designer in terms of educational background:

Graphic Designer/IllustratorJunior Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graphic designer/illustrator vs junior designer demographics

Here are the differences between graphic designer/illustrators' and junior designers' demographics:

Graphic Designer/IllustratorJunior Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 60.1% Female, 39.9%Male, 50.4% Female, 49.6%
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 designer/illustrator and junior designer duties and responsibilities

Graphic designer/illustrator example responsibilities.

  • Used Applescript, Javascript, and Photoshop actions to automate tasks.
  • Design, illustrate brochures, permanent and temporary signs, van wraps, banners, posters and other print materials.
  • Sketch concepts for t-shirts and business logos.
  • Create and maintain websites using web design software and raw HTML.
  • Illustrate and design posters, programs, and graphs for in house company training, presentations, and events.
  • Design weekly and monthly topical website graphics and banner designs including Facebook social media content.
  • Show more

Junior designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the website and twitter page, write the blog posts and attend numerous fashion shows and sample sale rooms.
  • Coordinate REVIT teaching for inner office/branches.
  • Utilize PowerPoint to create furniture, lighting and final material selection presentations for client meetings.
  • Create PowerPoint templates to be used by clients or other upper management in proposals or live shows.
  • Sketch new designs (by hand and computer aid) add colors and make updates to carry-over styles as necessary.
  • Develop residential designs using Revit.
  • Show more

Graphic designer/illustrator vs junior designer skills

Common graphic designer/illustrator skills
  • Adobe Illustrator, 14%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 11%
  • Logo Design, 6%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Layout Design, 5%
  • Photography, 5%
Common junior designer skills
  • Sketch, 10%
  • Graphic Design, 9%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 8%
  • Revit, 5%
  • Design Projects, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%

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