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Graphic designer internship vs graphic designer

The differences between graphic designer interns and 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 internship and a graphic designer. Additionally, a graphic designer has an average salary of $49,450, which is higher than the $35,800 average annual salary of a graphic designer internship.

The top three skills for a graphic designer internship include graphic design intern, adobe photoshop and blog posts. The most important skills for a graphic designer are adobe creative suite, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Graphic designer internship vs graphic designer overview

Graphic Designer InternshipGraphic Designer
Yearly salary$35,800$49,450
Hourly rate$17.21$23.77
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs93,29245,625
Job satisfaction25
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a graphic designer internship do?

In a graphic design internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to accomplish tasks while under the supervision of more experienced colleagues. An aspiring graphic designer may use this opportunity to observe and participate in designing for various industries, handle different clients, participate in creative meetings, and learn strategies from experts. Furthermore, there may also be technical tasks involving research and analysis, gathering materials, coordinating with vendors, and producing reports and other necessary documentation. They may also be responsible for maintaining a database and responding to calls and inquires.

What does a graphic designer do?

Graphic designers are visual communicators who create graphic ideas to deliver a message through art and images which inspire, inform, and motivate consumers with the use of computer software, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or by hand. They have the ability to design stunning illustrations that are easily understood, even without a lot of thinking or based on the demand of their clients. It is very crucial to them as well to be flexible and to stay on top of the design trends. They create websites, posters, packaging, logos, advertising, and marketing materials, depending on the nature of the business.

Graphic designer internship vs graphic designer salary

Graphic designer interns and graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graphic Designer InternshipGraphic Designer
Average salary$35,800$49,450
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $47,000Between $34,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonMassachusetts
Best paying companyRiverbed Holdings, Inc.Meta
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between graphic designer internship and graphic designer education

There are a few differences between a graphic designer internship and a graphic designer in terms of educational background:

Graphic Designer InternshipGraphic Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graphic designer internship vs graphic designer demographics

Here are the differences between graphic designer interns' and graphic designers' demographics:

Graphic Designer InternshipGraphic Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 40.6% Female, 59.4%Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2%
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 internship and graphic designer duties and responsibilities

Graphic designer internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage the company's Joomla website with content & design updates.
  • Attend various B2C and B2B brand trade-shows identifying new distribution channels and sales leads
  • Create, implement and manage customer activation campaigns and loyalty programs tracking ROI and retention.
  • Manage all aspects of the creative process with includes; sketch formation, client collaboration, production coordination.
  • Manage an in-house advertisement/mailer for a vendor.
  • Manage data migrations and SharePoint integration for corporate Intranet with external consultants.
  • Show more

Graphic designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the transition from paste-up, typesetting, pasting up page layout to digital ad/page building and web printing.
  • Design new template for magazine as well as ads, flyers, brochures, and cards for a variety of events.
  • Plan the development of a social networking site website using HTML, CSS, PHP, and a WordPress management system.
  • Compose and create daily advertisements for national automotive dealerships utilizing typography and design concepts while adhering to corporate brand standards.
  • Follow style guide requirements to maintain brand integrity with specific treatments of photography, typography, graphic elements and team/sponsor/arena logos.
  • Create UI kit for the website.
  • Show more

Graphic designer internship vs graphic designer skills

Common graphic designer internship skills
  • Graphic Design Intern, 11%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Blog Posts, 6%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%
  • Photography, 5%
Common graphic designer skills
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 6%
  • Typography, 5%
  • Brochures, 5%
  • Design Concepts, 5%

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