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The differences between graphics illustrators and design directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a graphics illustrator and a design director. Additionally, a design director has an average salary of $132,823, which is higher than the $64,943 average annual salary of a graphics illustrator.
The top three skills for a graphics illustrator include adobe photoshop, graphic design and adobe indesign. The most important skills for a design director are sketch, human centered design, and product design.
| Graphics Illustrator | Design Director | |
| Yearly salary | $64,943 | $132,823 |
| Hourly rate | $31.22 | $63.86 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,854 | 48,337 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A graphics illustrator is an artist that is skilled in drawing, painting, digital illustration, art history, and sometimes marketing. Your job as an illustrator is to create a visual representation of an idea or associated text. Unlike a graphic designer, a graphic illustrator does a lot more drawing, product package design, book illustrations, and graphic novels. As a graphics illustrator, you may be required to lead lots of projects that deal with advertising design and publishing initiatives. In addition to that, you may be expected to produce mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and design specifications.
A design director spearheads and oversees design projects in a company or organization. They typically have the authority to lead the creative and design teams, make significant decisions, delegate responsibilities, set goals and schedules, manage budgets and resources, and direct the project's cycle from planning to execution. They also coordinate with clients and solve issues when any arise. Additionally, a design director leads and encourages teams to reach goals, all while implementing standards and policies, developing new ones when necessary.
Graphics illustrators and design directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphics Illustrator | Design Director | |
| Average salary | $64,943 | $132,823 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $101,000 | Between $82,000 And $212,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Uber Technologies | Proenza Schouler |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a graphics illustrator and a design director in terms of educational background:
| Graphics Illustrator | Design Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphics illustrators' and design directors' demographics:
| Graphics Illustrator | Design Director | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% |
| 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% |