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What does a Lead Designer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
9 min read
Quoted Expert
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
What does a Lead Designer do

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.

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Lead designer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead designer resumes:

  • Lead development of HTML5, CSS3 and mobile platform prototypes.
  • Lead team in fit meetings and collaborate with TD on sketch updates.
  • Lead & design all creative content stemming from apparel design to web identity.
  • Prepare HTML, CSS and JavaScript coding guides and best practices, and implement, enforce through peer code reviews.
  • Provide expertise skills in CSS, dynamic HTML, java script, and Java development languages.
  • Develop interactive UI features, database schema design, security module design and development.
  • Utilize Dreamweaver and implement HTML/CSS.
  • Revamp outdate websites with responsive layouts build with WordPress.
  • Develop JavaScript, jquery functions depending on the front end requirements.
  • Used HTML, HTML5, PHP, and proprietary software to refurbish website.
  • Create and launch emergency back-up website for TBO using WordPress CMS and RSS feeds.
  • Lead designer and developer on multiple online projects utilizing various server-side technologies including PHP / MySQL, JavaScript.
  • Prepare client presentations and design AutoCAD documentation templates.
  • Coordinate development of 3D computer models using AutoCAD.
  • Execute prototyping of in-store shop concepts and domestic/international roll-outs.

Lead designer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Lead Designers are proficient in Sketch, User Experience, and Architecture. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Lead Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Sketch, 14%

    Sketch phase - 3D Modeling - Rending - Presentation - Modification.

  • User Experience, 6%

    Develop User Experience for touch-screen web-enabled apps, integrating innovative customer experiences and stakeholder requirements.

  • Architecture, 5%

    Designed integration HUB solutions architecture, systems architecture and topology design, in a Highly Available environment across multiple physical locations.

  • UI, 5%

    Performed page design testing to validate user interface design of developed applications against UI Specifications and Navigational diagrams.

  • Design Solutions, 5%

    Support engineers by providing new or alternative design solutions and contribute to product development decisions.

  • Project Management, 4%

    Presented step-by-step project implementation plans to the Project Management and Implementation teams.

Most lead designers use their skills in "sketch," "user experience," and "architecture" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential lead designer responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a lead 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 lead designer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "developed analysis techniques enabling improved reporting of soc vs. ip tickets. "

Artistic ability. Many lead 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 lead designer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways lead designer responsibilities rely on artistic ability: "key areas of responsibility: developed artistic and creative design concepts that support and grow the wally's brand. "

Communication skills. lead designers are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to lead designer responsibilities, because "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." A lead designer resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "maintained a strong internal communication of design intent with sales and production responsible for custom, complete and total design solutions"

Computer skills. For certain lead designer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "computer skills." The day-to-day duties of a lead 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 lead designers do: "coordinated development of 3d computer models using autocad. "

Creativity. A commonly-found skill in lead designer job descriptions, "creativity" is essential to what lead designers do. Lead designer responsibilities rely on this skill because "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." You can also see how lead designer duties rely on creativity in this resume example: "utilized autocad inventor to complete 3d models and fabrication drawings of large truck equipment and other mechanical objects. "

Time-management skills. While "time-management skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to lead designer responsibilities. Much of what a lead designer does relies on this skill, seeing as "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of lead designers: "directed product development to deliver on time, within budget for product launches. "

See the full list of lead designer skills

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Compare different lead designers

Lead designer vs. Designer/art director

An art director collaborates with the design and art staff for books, public relations firms, advertising agencies, or newspaper publishers. Art directors create designs and layouts that embody the organization and send the message they want the audience to get. They work with producers and directors of theatres, television, and movie productions to oversee set designs. Being an art director also includes critiquing people's work, working to reach deadlines while still following the budget allocated for a certain project, and (on occasion) disciplining designers who are slacking off on the job.

If we compare the average lead designer annual salary with that of a designer/art director, we find that designer/art directors typically earn a $12,553 lower salary than lead designers make annually.Even though lead designers and designer/art directors are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require sketch, user experience, and ui in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, lead designer responsibilities require skills like "human centered design," "html css," "architecture," and "design solutions." Meanwhile a typical designer/art director has skills in areas such as "photography," "creative concepts," "website design," and "adobe creative suite." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Designer/art directors earn the highest salaries when working in the media industry, with an average yearly salary of $100,319. On the other hand, lead designers are paid more in the start-up industry with an average salary of $118,563.The education levels that designer/art directors earn slightly differ from lead designers. In particular, designer/art directors are 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a lead designer. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Lead designer vs. Graphic designer, marketing

A graphic designer of marketing specializes in developing creative imagery as part of a company's marketing efforts. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with the marketing team to share insights and strategies, conceptualizing designs in adherence to objectives and deadlines, and preparing presentations. One may also subject designs into various revisions and edits as needed. Furthermore, as a graphic designer, it is also essential to keep abreast of the latest trends and have an understanding of the target audience.

A career as a graphic designer, marketing brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a lead designer. In fact, graphic designers, marketing salary is $61,238 lower than the salary of lead designers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Lead designers and graphic designers, marketing both require similar skills like "sketch," "css," and "html" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, lead designer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "human centered design," "user experience," "html css," and "architecture." Meanwhile, a graphic designer, marketing has duties that require skills in areas such as "adobe creative suite," "brochures," "blog posts," and "flyers." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Graphic designers, marketing earn a lower average salary than lead designers. But graphic designers, marketing earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $52,640. Additionally, lead designers earn the highest salaries in the start-up with average pay of $118,563 annually.In general, graphic designers, marketing achieve lower levels of education than lead designers. They're 5.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Lead 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

Technology is constantly evolving and changing the way we experience the arts, generally for the better. I anticipate great strides in the fields of digital media and digital music. Technology affords us the opportunity to connect with a larger, more global audience on the one hand, and also kindle, in a younger generation, an interest in the arts.

Lead designer vs. Graphic designer/production

A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company. Graphic designers are an integral part of a company's digital marketing, especially over the internet. The graphic designer must have a good eye for style, typesetting, and the use of colors.

An average graphic designer/production eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of lead designers. The difference in salaries amounts to graphic designer/productions earning a $61,382 lower average salary than lead designers.lead designers and graphic designer/productions both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "sketch," "css," and "design concepts," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from lead designer resumes include skills like "human centered design," "user experience," "html css," and "architecture," whereas a graphic designer/production is more likely to list skills in "adobe indesign," "signage," "adobe creative suite," and "brochures. "

Graphic designer/productions earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $59,531. Comparatively, lead designers have the highest earning potential in the start-up industry, with an average salary of $118,563.graphic designer/productions typically earn lower educational levels compared to lead designers. Specifically, they're 6.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Lead designer vs. User experience designer

A User Experience (UX) designer is an individual who measures and optimizes applications to improve the experience of end-users. His/Her or her duties and responsibilities include considering a design's human-computer interaction element, defining interaction models, and working with creative directors and designers. The key skills for UX designers include strong mathematical and problem-solving skills and excellent information technology and programming skills. Having a bachelor's degree in a design or computing-related subject is an advantage to qualify for the UX designer position.

User experience designers typically earn lower pay than lead designers. On average, user experience designers earn a $18,842 lower salary per year.According to resumes from lead designers and user experience designers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "sketch," "human centered design," and "user experience. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between lead designers and user experience designers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lead designer might have more use for skills like "architecture," "project management," "design concepts," and "web design." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of user experience designers require skills like "user research," "visual design," "interaction design," and "xd. "

The start-up industry tends to pay the highest salaries for user experience designers, with average annual pay of $113,676. Comparatively, the highest lead designer annual salary comes from the start-up industry.user experience designers reach higher levels of education compared to lead designers, in general. The difference is that they're 8.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of lead designer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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