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The differences between lead designers 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 lead designer, becoming an art director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a lead designer has an average salary of $110,001, which is higher than the $88,367 average annual salary of an art director.
The top three skills for a lead designer include sketch, user experience and architecture. The most important skills for an art director are graphic design, art direction, and creative concepts.
| Lead Designer | Art Director | |
| Yearly salary | $110,001 | $88,367 |
| Hourly rate | $52.89 | $42.48 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 45,423 | 11,472 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
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.
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.
Lead designers and art directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Designer | Art Director | |
| Average salary | $110,001 | $88,367 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $154,000 | Between $57,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | The Walt Disney Company |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead designer and an art director in terms of educational background:
| Lead Designer | Art Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between lead designers' and art directors' demographics:
| Lead Designer | Art Director | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% | 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% |