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Graphic designer/illustrator vs student graphic designer

The differences between graphic designer/illustrators and student graphic 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 student graphic designer. Additionally, a graphic designer/illustrator has an average salary of $45,124, which is higher than the $27,337 average annual salary of a student graphic designer.

The top three skills for a graphic designer/illustrator include adobe illustrator, adobe photoshop and logo design. The most important skills for a student graphic designer are graphic design, event posters, and GPA.

Graphic designer/illustrator vs student graphic designer overview

Graphic Designer/IllustratorStudent Graphic Designer
Yearly salary$45,124$27,337
Hourly rate$21.69$13.14
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs44,85355,508
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
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 student graphic designer do?

Student Graphic Designer is committed to embroidering the school's promotional and recreational work. He/she must be studying artistic skills to design the school's portfolio. Student graphic designer does prepare graphics for flyers, pamphlets, journals, magazines, posters, and brochures.

Graphic designer/illustrator vs student graphic designer salary

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

Graphic Designer/IllustratorStudent Graphic Designer
Average salary$45,124$27,337
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $63,000Between $21,000 And $34,000
Highest paying CityMountain View, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyGoogle-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between graphic designer/illustrator and student graphic designer education

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

Graphic Designer/IllustratorStudent Graphic Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCarnegie Mellon University

Graphic designer/illustrator vs student graphic designer demographics

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

Graphic Designer/IllustratorStudent Graphic Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 60.1% Female, 39.9%Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0%
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 designer/illustrator and student graphic 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.
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Student graphic designer example responsibilities.

  • Research lead to sketch iteration, which lead to full scale prototypes.
  • Create and manage digital media content for department and resource center websites, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
  • Manage data migrations and SharePoint integration for corporate Intranet with external consultants.
  • Design closet units and formations in 2D and 3D using SolidEdge, AutoCAD, TeamCenter.
  • Create and maintain digital 3D and 2D design packages using Pro/E and AutoCAD design tools.
  • Create package design, branding, and doing photography for clients that are starting up small businesses.
  • Show more

Graphic designer/illustrator vs student graphic 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 student graphic designer skills
  • Graphic Design, 13%
  • Event Posters, 8%
  • GPA, 7%
  • Web Banners, 6%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 5%

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