Post job

Graphics illustrator vs graphic designer/production

The differences between graphics illustrators and graphic designer/productions 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 graphic designer/production. Additionally, a graphics illustrator has an average salary of $64,943, which is higher than the $48,619 average annual salary of a graphic designer/production.

The top three skills for a graphics illustrator include adobe photoshop, graphic design and adobe indesign. The most important skills for a graphic designer/production are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Graphics illustrator vs graphic designer/production overview

Graphics IllustratorGraphic Designer/Production
Yearly salary$64,943$48,619
Hourly rate$31.22$23.37
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs2,85495,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a graphics illustrator do?

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.

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.

Graphics illustrator vs graphic designer/production salary

Graphics illustrators and graphic designer/productions have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graphics IllustratorGraphic Designer/Production
Average salary$64,943$48,619
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $101,000Between $35,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMaryland
Best paying companyUber TechnologiesOptimum Nutrition
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between graphics illustrator and graphic designer/production education

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

Graphics IllustratorGraphic Designer/Production
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graphics illustrator vs graphic designer/production demographics

Here are the differences between graphics illustrators' and graphic designer/productions' demographics:

Graphics IllustratorGraphic Designer/Production
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 52.9% Female, 47.1%Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
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 graphics illustrator and graphic designer/production duties and responsibilities

Graphics illustrator example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development and execution of several overhead presentations, advertising design, brochure marketing, and desktop publishing initiatives.
  • Involve in developing HTML and JavaScript for client side presentation and, data validation on the clientside with in the forms.
  • Create computer graphics and animation.
  • Proofread catalogs, ads and packaging.
  • Design logos, flyers, mailers, programs, etc.
  • Develop online presence strategy (SEO, Instagram, Facebook).
  • Show more

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

Graphics illustrator vs graphic designer/production skills

Common graphics illustrator skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 14%
  • Graphic Design, 8%
  • Adobe Indesign, 8%
  • Sketch, 7%
  • Web Design, 7%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%
Common graphic designer/production skills
  • Graphic Design, 14%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 8%
  • Art Direction, 6%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Signage, 5%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs