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Graphic designer/production vs graphic design specialist

The differences between graphic designer/productions and graphic design specialists 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/production and a graphic design specialist. Additionally, a graphic design specialist has an average salary of $55,925, which is higher than the $48,619 average annual salary of a graphic designer/production.

The top three skills for a graphic designer/production include graphic design, adobe photoshop and adobe illustrator. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.

Graphic designer/production vs graphic design specialist overview

Graphic Designer/ProductionGraphic Design Specialist
Yearly salary$48,619$55,925
Hourly rate$23.37$26.89
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs95,83149,055
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a graphic designer/production do?

A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company. Graphic designers are an integral part of a company's digital marketing, especially over the internet. The graphic designer must have a good eye for style, typesetting, and the use of colors.

What does a graphic design specialist do?

A graphic design specialist utilizes their artistic expertise in creating imagery and designs that convey a particular message. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs and goals, developing concepts and subjecting it for client approval, and revising designs as necessary. In a company setting, a graphic design specialist may work with a team, coordinating with them while sticking to budgets and deadlines. Furthermore, as a team member, it is essential to report to managers or supervisors, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Graphic designer/production vs graphic design specialist salary

Graphic designer/productions and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graphic Designer/ProductionGraphic Design Specialist
Average salary$48,619$55,925
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $67,000Between $38,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityMenlo Park, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMarylandWashington
Best paying companyOptimum NutritionBerkshire Hathaway
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between graphic designer/production and graphic design specialist education

There are a few differences between a graphic designer/production and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:

Graphic Designer/ProductionGraphic Design Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graphic designer/production vs graphic design specialist demographics

Here are the differences between graphic designer/productions' and graphic design specialists' demographics:

Graphic Designer/ProductionGraphic Design Specialist
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 57.0% Female, 43.0%Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0%
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/production and graphic design specialist duties and responsibilities

Graphic designer/production example responsibilities.

  • Manage production of products; custom banners, t-shirts, satin flags, from concept to final product.
  • Manage various publications including catalogs, catalog inserts, brochures, mailers and advertising material.
  • Develop and update conference materials, including PowerPoint presentations, posters, handouts, badges, table tents, and folders.
  • Produce corporate identity systems and collateral print materials, print advertising, product/capabilities brochures, direct mail and newsletters.
  • Produce daily, weekly and monthly newsletters in both print and HTML.
  • Create cleaner HTML email templates and help others within the group improve their HTML skills.
  • Show more

Graphic design specialist example responsibilities.

  • Launch and manage the acquistion, design and catalog for the animation line of liscens products.
  • Lead the development and execution of several overhead presentations, advertising design, brochure marketing, and desktop publishing initiatives.
  • Create presentations from customer direction, including graphics, charts, and animation.
  • Build email campaigns, database selection, HTML presentation and quality assurance of all outbound campaigns.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for pharmaceutical companies through the process of drug approval in front of the FDA regulatory committee.
  • Assist with the launch of several services, including an HTML newsletter, district YouTube channel and emergency notification system.
  • Show more

Graphic designer/production vs graphic design specialist skills

Common graphic designer/production skills
  • Graphic Design, 14%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 8%
  • Art Direction, 6%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Signage, 5%
Common graphic design specialist skills
  • Graphic Design, 19%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Visualization, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • HTML, 4%
  • Brochures, 4%

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