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The differences between graphics illustrators and lead 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 graphics illustrator and a lead designer. Additionally, a lead designer has an average salary of $110,001, 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 lead designer are sketch, user experience, and architecture.
| Graphics Illustrator | Lead Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $64,943 | $110,001 |
| Hourly rate | $31.22 | $52.89 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,854 | 45,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 lead designer is responsible for addressing the clients' needs of digital content and coordinating with the design team for the planning and innovation of the visual design and concept. Lead designers conduct the initial layout of frameworks and collaborate with the art staff for the specifications and outputs using various software applications and digital boards. They regularly update the client of the project's status, including adjustment and design recommendations, ensuring that the plan meets the client's budget goals. A lead designer must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on running diagnostic tests to improve optimal performance.
Graphics illustrators and lead designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphics Illustrator | Lead Designer | |
| Average salary | $64,943 | $110,001 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $101,000 | Between $78,000 And $154,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Uber Technologies | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a graphics illustrator and a lead designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphics Illustrator | Lead Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphics illustrators' and lead designers' demographics:
| Graphics Illustrator | Lead Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% |
| 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% |