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What does a media designer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.

A media designer is a marketing professional who plans, visualizes, and creates marketing materials such as printed documents, electronic or web-based media based on the business needs and guidance from team members in a company. Media designers must develop brand loyalty among customers about the company's line of products. They are required to make known the image of a given company using graphics, design, video, or interactivity to draw in users or customers. Media designers must also create a social marketing presence by establishing blogs or networking pages on a company's website.

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Media designer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real media designer resumes:

  • Manage and develop a stream line Intranet site for better communication purposes and quicker access to documents and company information
  • Create and design an online asset management tool using CSS, PHP, and MySQL.
  • Create UI design elements for the simulation.
  • Design web graphics for social media platforms, such as Facebook.
  • Create and maintain web sites using HTML, Java, and SQL programming.
  • Develop innovative concepts for both UX to UI layouts base on customer brand and functionality needs.
  • Work directly with booking agent to promote shows and other events via Facebook and other social media outlets.
  • Design and develop HTML email templates, pull target email lists from SalesForce.com, and supply email reports.
  • Create CSS spec wire-frame GUI's to be used as generic layouts for multiple international sites utilizing the same product lines.
  • Involve in light photography with photo-manipulation and enhancements.
  • Develop cutting-edge, creative 3D visualization and interactive media solutions including 3D content for virtual reality retailing initiatives.
  • Receive recognition from senior management for contributing to accelerate revenue growth as a result of developing and implementing comprehensive design strategy.
  • Used AngularJS for data binding and AJAX for interaction with the back-end API.
  • Hire originally to design public-facing website, and then transition to working with internal website to completely redesign Intranet architecture.

Media designer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Media Designers are proficient in Graphic Design, Animation, and Motion Graphics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.

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

  • Graphic Design, 9%

    Designed a mobile application through a collaborative study with fellow students majoring in graphic design.

  • Animation, 9%

    Produced multimedia flash animation movies and interactive projects.

  • Motion Graphics, 6%

    Provided video editing service to compliment motion graphics.

  • Video Production, 5%

    Introduced In-House digital photography & audio/video production.

  • JavaScript, 5%

    Coded front-end websites from concept to completion with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

  • Adobe Creative Suite, 4%

    Use of Adobe Creative Suite 3 to achieve graphic art layouts and final files for print or the web.

Common skills that a media designer uses to do their job include "graphic design," "animation," and "motion graphics." You can find details on the most important media designer responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a media designer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what media designers do 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 media designer resume shows how media designers use analytical skills: "web site optimization with meta data and key wording. "

Artistic ability. Another essential skill to perform media designer duties is artistic ability. Media designers responsibilities require that "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers." Media designers also use artistic ability in their role according to a real resume snippet: "serve as artistic support; create restaurant menus, logos, business cards, identity packages and brochures. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of media designers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday media designer duties, as "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "produced a wide array of communications and design projects in support of top international attorneys and highprofile clients. "

Computer skills. media designer responsibilities often require "computer skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." This resume example shows what media designers do with computer skills on a typical day: "provided on-site technology support for mac and pc computer systems for user base of 15. "

Creativity. Another crucial skill for a media designer to carry out their responsibilities is "creativity." A big part of what media designers relies on this skill, since "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." How this skill relates to media designer duties can be seen in an example from a media designer resume snippet: "keep current with emerging multimedia design applications and technologies creation of vector graphics drafting and brainstorming of various creative materials"

Time-management skills. Another skill commonly found on media designer job descriptions is "time-management skills." It can come up quite often in media designer duties, since "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day media designer responsibilities: "collaborate with lead management to create vision, conceive design projects from concept through completion and consistently meet deadlines and requirements. "

Most common media designer skills

The three companies that hire the most media designers are:

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Compare different media designers

Media designer vs. Digital media internship

In a digital media internship, an intern participates in various creative projects while under the supervision and guidance of a supervising manager or staff. They usually perform support tasks to gather industry insights and experience, which typically includes creating digital content according to project guidelines and themes, conducting research and analyses, utilizing client feedback, and handling digital platforms, such as websites and social media pages. They also perform clerical support tasks such as preparing documents, taking calls and other forms of correspondence, and running errands as necessary.

The annual salary of digital media interns is $21,985 lower than the average salary of media designers.Even though media designers and digital media interns are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require graphic design, video production, and adobe creative suite in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between media designers and digital media internship. For instance, media designer responsibilities require skills such as "animation," "motion graphics," "javascript," and "wordpress." Whereas a digital media internship is skilled in "video content," "digital content," "press releases," and "google analytics." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Digital media interns tend to make the most money working in the non profits industry, where they earn an average salary of $32,658. In contrast, media designers make the biggest average salary, $59,977, in the media industry.The education levels that digital media interns earn slightly differ from media designers. In particular, digital media interns are 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a media designer. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Media 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 media designer. In fact, graphic designers, marketing salary is $5,255 lower than the salary of media designers per year.A few skills overlap for media designers and graphic designers, marketing. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "graphic design," "adobe creative suite," and "digital marketing. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, media designer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "animation," "motion graphics," "video production," and "javascript." Meanwhile, a graphic designer, marketing has duties that require skills in areas such as "brochures," "blog posts," "flyers," and "in-house." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Graphic designers, marketing earn a lower average salary than media designers. But graphic designers, marketing earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $52,640. Additionally, media designers earn the highest salaries in the media with average pay of $59,977 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Graphic designers, marketing tend to reach similar levels of education than media designers. In fact, they're 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Media 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.

On average, graphic designer/productions earn lower salaries than media designers, with a $5,399 difference per year.By looking over several media designers and graphic designer/productions resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "graphic design," "adobe creative suite," and "facebook." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, media designers are more likely to have skills like "animation," "motion graphics," "video production," and "javascript." But a graphic designer/production is more likely to have skills like "signage," "brochures," "product photography," and "posters."

Graphic designer/productions earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $59,531. Comparatively, media designers have the highest earning potential in the media industry, with an average salary of $59,977.graphic designer/productions typically earn lower educational levels compared to media designers. Specifically, they're 5.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Media designer vs. Graphic designer internship

In a graphic design internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to accomplish tasks while under the supervision of more experienced colleagues. An aspiring graphic designer may use this opportunity to observe and participate in designing for various industries, handle different clients, participate in creative meetings, and learn strategies from experts. Furthermore, there may also be technical tasks involving research and analysis, gathering materials, coordinating with vendors, and producing reports and other necessary documentation. They may also be responsible for maintaining a database and responding to calls and inquires.

Graphic designer interns typically earn lower pay than media designers. On average, graphic designer interns earn a $18,218 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, media designers and graphic designer interns both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "graphic design," "motion graphics," and "adobe creative suite. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between media designers and graphic designer interns, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a media designer might have more use for skills like "animation," "video production," "javascript," and "wordpress." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of graphic designer interns require skills like "graphic design intern," "blog posts," "flyers," and "typography. "

Graphic designer interns enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $41,614. For comparison, media designers earn the highest salary in the media industry.In general, graphic designer interns hold lower degree levels compared to media designers. Graphic designer interns are 5.8% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of media 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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