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The differences between lead graphic designers and motion graphics designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a lead graphic designer and a motion graphics designer. Additionally, a lead graphic designer has an average salary of $76,009, which is higher than the $62,558 average annual salary of a motion graphics designer.
The top three skills for a lead graphic designer include adobe photoshop, graphic design and design concepts. The most important skills for a motion graphics designer are animation, style frames, and cinema.
| Lead Graphic Designer | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,009 | $62,558 |
| Hourly rate | $36.54 | $30.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 46,260 | 44,960 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A lead graphic designer is responsible for creating, designing, and updating the company's visual aspects. The lead graphic designer works closely with the branding department alongside the advertising and marketing team. It is essential for the lead graphic designer must be creative, willing to think outside the box, and brave to dare novel ideas. The lead graphic designer is also responsible for leading the creative department in accomplishing assigned tasks from management.
A motion graphic designer specializes in producing artworks used in television, film, and web. Their responsibilities often revolve around submitting within a deadline, attending creative meetings, collaborating with fellow designers, following directives from clients, producing trial designs, and editing them in adherence to senior designers or clients' recommendations. There are also instances when a motion graphic designer must manage documentation, address inquiries and concerns, and report to higher-ranking personnel. Furthermore, one may choose to work for a company or independently.
Lead graphic designers and motion graphics designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Graphic Designer | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average salary | $76,009 | $62,558 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $131,000 | Between $44,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Netflix | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead graphic designer and a motion graphics designer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Graphic Designer | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between lead graphic designers' and motion graphics designers' demographics:
| Lead Graphic Designer | Motion Graphics Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.8% Female, 38.2% | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% |
| 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, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |