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The differences between graphic designer/illustrators 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 designer/illustrator and a visual designer. Additionally, a visual designer has an average salary of $86,495, 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 visual designer are sketch, visual design, and graphic design.
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Visual Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $45,124 | $86,495 |
| Hourly rate | $21.69 | $41.58 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 44,853 | 46,815 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
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 designer/illustrators and visual designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Visual Designer | |
| Average salary | $45,124 | $86,495 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $63,000 | Between $51,000 And $143,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | ByteDance | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a graphic designer/illustrator and a visual designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Visual Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | 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 designer/illustrators' and visual designers' demographics:
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Visual Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.1% Female, 39.9% | 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% |