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What is a lead graphic designer and how to become one
Lead graphic designers are in charge of creating the visual identity of a brand, product, or business. They lead a team of graphic designers working to realize their vision and come up with comprehensive visual communication campaigns with a complex marketing impact.
Working as a lead graphic designer, you will be expected to make independent creative decisions, guide graphic designers on your team, approve their efforts, or push them in the direction you think the project should go. You will need to be an experienced professional to take on this role, with years of practice behind you creating advertising and branding materials.
You will be using digital design programs such as Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, and Illustrator on a daily basis. You will need to keep an up-to-date insight into visual advertising trends and have a feel for efficient use of colors, printing options, layouts, and the like. Keeping in contact with printing presses and vendors will also be your task.
What general advice would you give to a lead graphic designer?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida
Avg. Salary $76,009
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 3%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%
Asian 10.42%
Black or African American 3.42%
Hispanic or Latino 10.63%
Unknown 4.99%
White 70.17%
Genderfemale 38.19%
male 61.81%
Age - 37American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37Stress level is moderate
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Lead graphic designer career paths
Key steps to become a lead graphic designer
Explore lead graphic designer education requirements
Start to develop specific lead graphic designer skills
Skills Percentages Adobe Photoshop 6.88% Graphic Design 6.61% Design Concepts 6.54% Adobe Illustrator 5.40% Adobe Creative Suite 5.24% Complete relevant lead graphic designer training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lead graphic designers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lead graphic designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lead graphic designer resumes.Research lead graphic designer duties and responsibilities
- Manage website redesign including copywriting and updating all website content.
- Web projects (website design, HTML web updates and email marketing design and code).
- Create all PowerPoint, marketing and print materials; including but not limit to trade-show booth, and give-a-ways.
- Design and supervise production of all artwork for print apparel.
Get lead graphic designer experience
Generally, it takes 6-12 months to become a lead graphic designer. The most common roles before becoming a lead graphic designer include graphic designer, graphic designer internship team lead and graphic artist.Prepare your lead graphic designer resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead graphic designer resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a lead graphic designer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable lead graphic designer resume templates
Build a professional lead graphic designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your lead graphic designer resume.
Apply for lead graphic designer jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a lead graphic designer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first lead graphic designer job
Are you a lead graphic designer?
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Average lead graphic designer salary
The average lead graphic designer salary in the United States is $76,009 per year or $37 per hour. Lead graphic designer salaries range between $44,000 and $131,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do lead graphic designers rate their job?
Lead graphic designer reviews
There is so much to like about working as Graphic Designer ... the seeing how all the elements of words, space, colors, visuals (photos, graphics, charts,...) come together on a page...sharing info with others to learn and use
When working with others who can not make up their minds as deadline approaches nor take responsibility and blames others for their own "misdoings".
Interference in mid of work.
Creativity, Innovation, Intact Brand Integrity through Brand Guidelines
The ability to communicate with letters and images for to me its the loudess means of communication.
I dislike being un-informed or not being informed on time, For information and time is a essential to me. My time is precious.
Updated January 8, 2025
