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Operating system designer vs graphic artist

The differences between operating system designers and graphic artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an operating system designer and a graphic artist. Additionally, an operating system designer has an average salary of $58,414, which is higher than the $54,900 average annual salary of a graphic artist.

The top three skills for an operating system designer include co-op, CAD and facebook. The most important skills for a graphic artist are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Operating system designer vs graphic artist overview

Operating System DesignerGraphic Artist
Yearly salary$58,414$54,900
Hourly rate$28.08$26.39
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs68,0848,752
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does an operating system designer do?

OS Designers are responsible for creating and developing customized operating systems geared to cater to a specific task type. These tasks may range from business management to medical-related applications to government and military defense systems. An operating system is the foundation and soul of any computer-based program, so OS designers apply computer science and analysis to develop these operating systems for efficiency and functionality. A typical OS Designer earns an average of $47,865 per year.

What does a graphic artist do?

A graphic artist is either an illustrator or an animator who creates art work that will be used in graphic projects such as advertisements, posters, or even book covers. Although a graphic artist has his/her own style of artwork, he/she may be often commissioned to create art specifically for a particular project. A graphic artist may work with a graphic designer in order to convey the overall message of a project. The portfolio of a graphic artist includes cartoons, illustrations, and graphic novels.

Operating system designer vs graphic artist salary

Operating system designers and graphic artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Operating System DesignerGraphic Artist
Average salary$58,414$54,900
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $98,000Between $35,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Bellevue, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Parsons
Best paying industry-Non Profits

Differences between operating system designer and graphic artist education

There are a few differences between an operating system designer and a graphic artist in terms of educational background:

Operating System DesignerGraphic Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Operating system designer vs graphic artist demographics

Here are the differences between operating system designers' and graphic artists' demographics:

Operating System DesignerGraphic Artist
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 72.9% Female, 27.1%Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage13%13%

Differences between operating system designer and graphic artist duties and responsibilities

Operating system designer example responsibilities.

  • Project managing special orders from corporate customers including custom zipper pulls, and embroidery embellishments.
  • Create production schedule for CNC machine.
  • Create and maintain database for site tracking and scheduling.
  • Execute sales from design to finalization using AutoCAD, Photoshop, and Sketchup.
  • Prepare and run a variety of tests on automotive heating and cooling systems.
  • Create a searchable database of competitor patents and providing summaries of each patent.
  • Show more

Graphic artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage external communications such as brochures and other sales collateral for direct mail from inception to circulation.
  • Develop, debug, and maintain client websites using HTML & CSS, WordPress, and basic use of JavaScript.
  • Flash & Dreamweaver software assisting in production of the company website.
  • Create custom graphic art for cars, windows, store fronts, business signs.
  • Design and implement the company's first Facebook app and engages in designing everything encompassing pixels and print.
  • Design, develop and maintain websites as projects present themselves with the use of HTML and WYSIWYG web development tools.
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Operating system designer vs graphic artist skills

Common operating system designer skills
  • Co-Op, 27%
  • CAD, 25%
  • Facebook, 12%
  • Design Process, 9%
  • Autocad, 8%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 4%
Common graphic artist skills
  • Graphic Design, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 10%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 9%
  • Art Direction, 7%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Brochures, 4%

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