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The differences between graphics specialists and art directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a graphics specialist, becoming an art director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an art director has an average salary of $88,367, which is higher than the $56,007 average annual salary of a graphics specialist.
The top three skills for a graphics specialist include graphic design, adobe illustrator and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for an art director are graphic design, art direction, and creative concepts.
| Graphics Specialist | Art Director | |
| Yearly salary | $56,007 | $88,367 |
| Hourly rate | $26.93 | $42.48 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 12,267 | 11,472 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
A graphics specialist is an expert at conceptualizing and developing visual art for businesses or individuals, typically for marketing or information purposes. Moreover, there are also opportunities for employment in the web and media industry. As a graphics specialist, their responsibilities include liaising with clients to identify their needs, understanding the purpose and message of the project, developing proposals, coordinating with team members, and conducting revisions as needed, all while adhering to the goals and deadlines set by the client or management.
An art director's duty will vary depending on the line of industry involved. However, most of the responsibilities will revolve in taking charge of the artistic direction and decisions in a project or campaign. Most of the time, it is an art director's call to conceptualize and bring a vision to completion and take the lead in coordinating with various artists and creative staff. Furthermore, an art director must oversee the progress of workflow and workforce, develop plans and strategies, and approve or provide suggestions in every creative output from staff.
Graphics specialists and art directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphics Specialist | Art Director | |
| Average salary | $56,007 | $88,367 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $81,000 | Between $57,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | ZeniMax Media | The Walt Disney Company |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a graphics specialist and an art director in terms of educational background:
| Graphics Specialist | Art Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between graphics specialists' and art directors' demographics:
| Graphics Specialist | Art Director | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6% | Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 11% |