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Graphic designer vs interior designer

The differences between graphic designers and interior designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a graphic designer, becoming an interior designer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an interior designer has an average salary of $52,482, which is higher than the $49,450 average annual salary of a graphic designer.

The top three skills for a graphic designer include adobe creative suite, adobe photoshop and adobe illustrator. The most important skills for an interior designer are revit, space planning, and sketch.

Graphic designer vs interior designer overview

Graphic DesignerInterior Designer
Yearly salary$49,450$52,482
Hourly rate$23.77$25.23
Growth rate3%1%
Number of jobs45,62548,020
Job satisfaction55
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age3842
Years of experience124

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.

What does an interior designer do?

An interior designer helps people decorate their rooms and spaces, creating the most functional and beautiful area as possible. They sit with clients to plan desired goals, visualize the space's functions, and sketch the design plan. Then, they pick and order materials and furnishings needed for the project. Additionally, they create a project timeline, estimate cost, and supervise the construction and installation. They follow-up with clients to guarantee their satisfaction once the project is completed. Interior designers should have an understanding of building and construction as well as public safety and security. They must be flexible in their time since they work to meet client needs.

Graphic designer vs interior designer salary

Graphic designers and interior designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graphic DesignerInterior Designer
Average salary$49,450$52,482
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $69,000Between $35,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSacramento, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNorth Dakota
Best paying companyMetaGerman International School New York
Best paying industryTechnologyConstruction

Differences between graphic designer and interior designer education

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

Graphic DesignerInterior Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorGraphic DesignInterior Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCornell University

Graphic designer vs interior designer demographics

Here are the differences between graphic designers' and interior designers' demographics:

Graphic DesignerInterior Designer
Average age3842
Gender ratioMale, 49.8% Female, 50.2%Male, 21.0% Female, 79.0%
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, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage13%23%

Differences between graphic designer and interior designer duties and responsibilities

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

Interior designer example responsibilities.

  • Establish and manage firm's account on NYC DOB website; fulfill office duties and manage office.
  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Project management, interior design, transition planning, and furniture specification for military healthcare projects.
  • Participate on leer certified projects.
  • Put together client invoices in QuickBooks.
  • Design email using HTML and inline CSS/CSS3.
  • Show more

Graphic designer vs interior designer skills

Common graphic designer skills
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 6%
  • Typography, 5%
  • Brochures, 5%
  • Design Concepts, 5%
Common interior designer skills
  • Revit, 12%
  • Space Planning, 8%
  • Sketch, 6%
  • Design Concepts, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • FF, 5%

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