What does a head graphic designer do?
Head graphic designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real head graphic designer resumes:
- Create ads, manage copywriting, respond to customer inquiries, generate brand unity, establish clear company identity.
- Design new office space for various companies using 3D software and a AutoCAD
- Create and set up logos for commercial embroidery 5 plus years experience with Tajima illustrator software.
- Design, develop, maintain and update a variety of web sites using valid HTML and CSS.
- Back up industrial embroidery operator.
- Create eye-catching and functional website design with consideration for user interface and experiences.
- Coordinate with photographers to ensure results are consistent with advertising layout design and within deadline parameters.
- Develop, protect and maintain brand identity through careful management of logo usage, photo selection, typography and messaging.
- Edit and proofread company documents and contributor articles for publication.
Head graphic designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Head Graphic Designers are proficient in Graphic Design, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Head Graphic Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Graphic Design, 17%
Introduced leading-edge graphic design and production methods, modernizing company image and receiving enormous boost of in-house graphic productivity.
- Adobe Photoshop, 8%
Worked as an artist specializing in spot color separation using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
- Adobe Illustrator, 7%
Designed labels and original artwork with Adobe Illustrator and InDesign.
- Graphic Art, 6%
Collaborate with graphic artists, editors and writers to produce master copies according to design specifications.
- Photography, 6%
Helped manage e-commerce website with adding new product to the site and uploading of website banners, and photography.
- Layout Design, 5%
Detail-oriented with a strong emphasis on print layout design, editing and production skills and have knowledge of the printing process.
Most head graphic designers use their skills in "graphic design," "adobe photoshop," and "adobe illustrator" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential head graphic designer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a head graphic designer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." Additionally, a head graphic designer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "created all website graphics and basic corporate identity standards maintained product database by developing inventory and adding new products"
Artistic ability. Many head graphic designer duties rely on artistic ability. "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers," so a head graphic designer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways head graphic designer responsibilities rely on artistic ability: "designed artistic signage for special corporate events. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of head graphic designers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday head graphic designer duties, as "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "use of strong communication to provide excellent customer service. "
Computer skills. For certain head graphic designer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "computer skills." The day-to-day duties of a head graphic designer rely on this skill, as "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what head graphic designers do: "generated computer graphics and page layouts, graphic elements and photography. "
Creativity. Another common skill required for head graphic designer responsibilities is "creativity." This skill comes up in the duties of head graphic designers all the time, as "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." An excerpt from a real head graphic designer resume shows how this skill is central to what a head graphic designer does: "worked along side and assisted creative director drew in art direction, graphic design, ideation, concept design and production. "
Time-management skills. Another skill commonly found on head graphic designer job descriptions is "time-management skills." It can come up quite often in head graphic designer duties, since "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day head graphic designer responsibilities: "ensured cad department met and completed deadlines. "
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Compare different head graphic designers
Head graphic designer vs. Graphic artist
A graphic artist is either an illustrator or an animator who creates art work that will be used in graphic projects such as advertisements, posters, or even book covers. Although a graphic artist has his/her own style of artwork, he/she may be often commissioned to create art specifically for a particular project. A graphic artist may work with a graphic designer in order to convey the overall message of a project. The portfolio of a graphic artist includes cartoons, illustrations, and graphic novels.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between head graphic designers and graphic artist. For instance, head graphic designer responsibilities require skills such as "apparel," "customer service," "company logo," and "web development." Whereas a graphic artist is skilled in "sample layouts," "motion graphics," "css," and "desktop." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Graphic artists tend to reach similar levels of education than head graphic designers. In fact, graphic artists are 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Head graphic designer vs. Designer
A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences. Designers are creative thinkers with a great eye to configure the skeletal and structural properties of the targeted output. They work in several fields, such as fashion, architecture, web graphics, and user experience. In spite of the variety of professionals in the design industry, all of them are artistic, passionate, inspiring, and emotionally connected to their projects and brands.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, head graphic designer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "graphic art," "photography," "layout design," and "posters." Meanwhile, a designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "sketch," "css," "html css," and "javascript." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Designers earn similar levels of education than head graphic designers in general. They're 2.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for head graphic designers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida
Head graphic designer vs. Visual designer
A visual designer is someone who creates designs for a variety of platforms such as Internet and intranet sites, games, and wearables. The duties of visual designers depend on the specific project or industry in which they are working. Duties include creating user-centered interaction models, working with information technology and business teams to resolve complex issues, and designing logos, icons, and infographics. The qualifications to become a visual designer include possessing strong problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills and obtaining a bachelor's degree in design.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a head graphic designer is likely to be skilled in "graphic art," "layout design," "posters," and "apparel," while a typical visual designer is skilled in "sketch," "visual design," "ui," and "user experience."
Visual designers typically earn similar educational levels compared to head graphic designers. Specifically, they're 4.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Head graphic designer vs. Layout designer
A layout designer is responsible for designing and creating attractive layouts for publications and marketing materials. Layout designers utilize various software design applications and systems, requiring them to have excellent computer skills for efficient navigation. They work closely with the whole design and graphic teams for content consistency and adherence to quality standards and requirements. A layout designer evaluates the current market trends to identify media elements and modify designs that meet public demands and interests.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between head graphic designers and layout designers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a head graphic designer might have more use for skills like "graphic design," "graphic art," "photography," and "posters." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of layout designers require skills like "cmos," "cadence virtuoso," "virtuoso," and "analog circuits. "
Layout designers reach similar levels of education compared to head graphic designers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of head graphic designer
Updated January 8, 2025
