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.
Graphic designer/illustrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real graphic designer/illustrator resumes:
- 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.
- Design of high profile inner-company PowerPoint presentations for senior executive management which require detailed animation sequences.
- Design and prepare presentation packets for proposals, including PowerPoint presentations for pitching to potential high-value clients.
- Receive recognition from senior management for contributing to accelerate revenue growth as a result of developing and implementing comprehensive design strategy.
- Edit and proofread company documents and contributor articles for publication.
Graphic designer/illustrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Graphic Designer/Illustrators are proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Logo Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Graphic Designer/Illustrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Adobe Illustrator, 14%
Create illustrations primarily in Adobe Illustrator of medical diagrams and treatment protocols.
- Adobe Photoshop, 11%
Design manufacturing production files to plant manufacturing specifications using Adobe Photoshop.
- Logo Design, 6%
Specialize in vector illustration, character design, concept art, comic book art, logo design and printed marketing materials.
- Adobe Indesign, 5%
Have extensive experience in Adobe Indesign and Dreamweaver with expanding knowledge of HTML 5 and CSS3.
- Layout Design, 5%
Spend the majority of the time working on InDesign multi-page layout design, cover design, and interactive e-book assignments.
- Photography, 5%
Developed and implemented photography training material and multimedia checklists used for print and video production as well as field photography.
Most graphic designer/illustrators use their skills in "adobe illustrator," "adobe photoshop," and "logo design" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential graphic designer/illustrator responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a graphic designer/illustrator to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." Graphic designer/illustrators often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "prepared digital images for web including sizing, optimization, color correction, and retouching; managed image database. "
Artistic ability. Another essential skill to perform graphic designer/illustrator duties is artistic ability. Graphic designer/illustrators responsibilities require that "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers." Graphic designer/illustrators also use artistic ability in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provide consultation in assisting artistic and graphic design decisions on all projects. "
Communication skills. graphic designer/illustrators are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to graphic designer/illustrator responsibilities, because "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." A graphic designer/illustrator resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "print and web graphics for public relations/communications department. "
Computer skills. A big part of what graphic designer/illustrators do relies on "computer skills." You can see how essential it is to graphic designer/illustrator responsibilities because "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical graphic designer/illustrator tasks: "created computer- ready line art to be scanned into then (mac systems) photoshop 3.0. "
Creativity. A commonly-found skill in graphic designer/illustrator job descriptions, "creativity" is essential to what graphic designer/illustrators do. Graphic designer/illustrator responsibilities rely on this skill because "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." You can also see how graphic designer/illustrator duties rely on creativity in this resume example: "developed creative ideas and layouts for logos, package design and promotions. "
Time-management skills. Lastly, "time-management skills" is an important element of what a graphic designer/illustrator does. Graphic designer/illustrator responsibilities require this skill because "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." This resume example highlights how graphic designer/illustrator duties rely on this skill: "completed updates for company website working within project deadlines; utilized wordpress, html coding, image optimization. "
The three companies that hire the most graphic designer/illustrators are:
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Compare different graphic designer/illustrators
Graphic designer/illustrator vs. Production artist
A production artist is responsible for managing digital content, meeting clients' standard specifications and requests for successful project completion. Production artists must have computer proficiency, especially on utilizing various software tools and applications to create illustrations and layouts. They also work closely with the creative team, cooperating in brainstorming sessions to ensure the consistency for each assigned task. A production artist should be keen on details, adjusting outputs as needed to maintain the highest quality for the actual presentation.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, graphic designer/illustrator responsibilities require skills like "layout design," "posters," "brochures," and "concept art." Meanwhile a typical production artist has skills in areas such as "production art," "digital assets," "production process," and "art directors." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that production artists earn slightly differ from graphic designer/illustrators. In particular, production artists are 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a graphic designer/illustrator. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Graphic designer/illustrator vs. Associate designer
An Associate Designer helps in developing sketches on paper and in graphic design software. They usually are supervised by the junior staff and interns.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, graphic designer/illustrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "logo design," "adobe indesign," "layout design," and "photography." Meanwhile, an associate designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "cad," "customer service," "design projects," and "human centered design." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Associate designers earn a higher average salary than graphic designer/illustrators. But associate designers earn the highest pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $61,366. Additionally, graphic designer/illustrators earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $56,793 annually.In general, associate designers achieve similar levels of education than graphic designer/illustrators. They're 1.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for graphic designer/illustrators in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida
Graphic designer/illustrator vs. Assistant designer
Assistant designers act as administrative support to senior designers in creating innovative designs by negotiating with the vendors about the prices of decoration materials. They are keen and up-to-date to the latest fashion and trends by conducting surveys and research. They are exceptionally creative and innovative and have excellent IT skills as they use illustration, typography, and photography layouts in the design process. However, being an assistant designer, career development relies on his/her /her specialism, reputation, and experience depending on how its opportunities are influenced by the company he/she works for.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from graphic designer/illustrator resumes include skills like "logo design," "adobe indesign," "layout design," and "photography," whereas an assistant designer is more likely to list skills in "tech packs," "line sheets," "trend research," and "garment construction. "
Assistant designers make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $57,526. On the other hand, graphic designer/illustrators are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $56,793.When it comes to education, assistant designers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to graphic designer/illustrators. In fact, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Graphic designer/illustrator vs. Web designer
A web designer is a creative professional responsible for creating and redesigning the content and layout of websites. Web designers are required to meet clients and users to discuss the needs and goals of their clients. To create graphics, colors, and fonts, web designers usually use HTML coding to alter the website's layout. Web designers must build their portfolio by taking on unique projects for themselves and the people they know.
Types of graphic designer/illustrator
Updated January 8, 2025
