Post job

Layout designer vs design architect

The differences between layout designers and design architects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a layout designer, becoming a design architect takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a layout designer has an average salary of $94,509, which is higher than the $89,139 average annual salary of a design architect.

The top three skills for a layout designer include CAD, CMOS and layout design. The most important skills for a design architect are revit, architectural design, and project management.

Layout designer vs design architect overview

Layout DesignerDesign Architect
Yearly salary$94,509$89,139
Hourly rate$45.44$42.86
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs43,997111,505
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3845
Years of experience124

What does a layout designer do?

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.

What does a design architect do?

A Design Architect plans and designs buildings and other structures under the supervision of a senior architect. They use computer design software programs to craft various sketches or blueprints.

Layout designer vs design architect salary

Layout designers and design architects have different pay scales, as shown below.

Layout DesignerDesign Architect
Average salary$94,509$89,139
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $149,000Between $52,000 And $151,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between layout designer and design architect education

There are a few differences between a layout designer and a design architect in terms of educational background:

Layout DesignerDesign Architect
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorGraphic DesignArchitecture
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCornell University

Layout designer vs design architect demographics

Here are the differences between layout designers' and design architects' demographics:

Layout DesignerDesign Architect
Average age3845
Gender ratioMale, 60.0% Female, 40.0%Male, 74.7% Female, 25.3%
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, 2.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 16.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage13%15%

Differences between layout designer and design architect duties and responsibilities

Layout designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead development team to manage CMOS projects to meet short time frames, keep schedules sharp with excellent time management practices.
  • Accomplish number of I/O libraries for use in many successfully products.
  • Lead efforts for debugging DRC, ERC and LVS layout and verification issues.
  • Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
  • Perform reliability verification, DRC, ERC and LVS.
  • Debug DRC, LVS, and DFM errors in device-level and block-level layout.
  • Show more

Design architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage technical architects for development and support of existing and new terminal platforms to support Walmart mobile and batch application infrastructure.
  • Prepare layouts, drawings and 3D visualization.
  • Sketch and design of require facilities as per contract.
  • Master drawing with Revit and train team members on Revit.
  • Prepare presentation materials (BIM), 3D render images (walk through) animation.
  • Operate in individual role, scope of tasks including project pre-design/design, and construction documents using Revit.
  • Show more

Layout designer vs design architect skills

Common layout designer skills
  • CAD, 11%
  • CMOS, 7%
  • Layout Design, 7%
  • Cadence Virtuoso, 7%
  • Virtuoso, 5%
  • Analog Circuits, 4%
Common design architect skills
  • Revit, 16%
  • Architectural Design, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Sketch, 5%
  • Design Development, 4%
  • C #, 4%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs