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Package designer vs production designer

The differences between package designers and production 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 package designer and a production designer. Additionally, a production designer has an average salary of $54,760, which is higher than the $52,273 average annual salary of a package designer.

The top three skills for a package designer include graphic design, CAD and adobe creative suite. The most important skills for a production designer are sketch, graphic design, and adobe creative suite.

Package designer vs production designer overview

Package DesignerProduction Designer
Yearly salary$52,273$54,760
Hourly rate$25.13$26.33
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs59,29296,682
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a package designer do?

A package designer is responsible for designing and developing safe and attractive packaging for warehouse products and merchandise. Package designers strategize their concepts according to product features, business requirements, and client specifications. They identify cost-effective resources and market demands within quality standards and regulations. A package designer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in utilizing various software tools and applications. Package designers generate designs and adjust design illustrations to meet clients' excellent feedback and consumer satisfaction.

What does a production designer do?

A production designer is responsible for monitoring the visual presentation of a media or theatre production, ensuring the set's adherence to the theme, and presenting visual elements according to the production requirements. Production designers research the current industry trends for creative ideas that would attract the audience, creating outstanding visual pictures throughout the production. In most cases, production designers also operate software systems and tools to suggest graphic effects and support the artistic team for deliverables. A production designer develops all visual plans within the budget goals and discusses adjustments to the production management team as needed.

Package designer vs production designer salary

Package designers and production designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Package DesignerProduction Designer
Average salary$52,273$54,760
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $75,000Between $36,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CitySan Leandro, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyThe Home DepotMeta
Best paying industryManufacturingInternet

Differences between package designer and production designer education

There are a few differences between a package designer and a production designer in terms of educational background:

Package DesignerProduction Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Package designer vs production designer demographics

Here are the differences between package designers' and production designers' demographics:

Package DesignerProduction Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 58.9% Female, 41.1%Male, 55.4% Female, 44.6%
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 package designer and production designer duties and responsibilities

Package designer example responsibilities.

  • Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
  • Participate in brainstorming of conceptual designs and perform feasibility studies of relate concepts.
  • Participate in brainstorming for visual direction and mechanical solutions for active and upcoming projects.
  • Develop handbags from initial sketch through final product including material sourcing, development of prototypes, sampling and technical specifications.
  • Work closely with printer for final PDF.
  • Provide detail review of PDF files to identify and alleviate errors.
  • Show more

Production designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage website redesign including copywriting and updating all website content.
  • Migrate HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and XML content from outside sources into content management system.
  • Edit existing PowerPoint slides to enhance the corporate message.
  • Create 3D files and renderings for packaging using SolidWorks and KeyShot.
  • Hire by Collins as a design liaison between Collins and Facebook design teams.
  • Develop and maintain company website and social presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and other networks.
  • Show more

Package designer vs production designer skills

Common package designer skills
  • Graphic Design, 11%
  • CAD, 6%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Design Solutions, 5%
  • Package Design, 5%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%
Common production designer skills
  • Sketch, 11%
  • Graphic Design, 10%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 9%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • HTML, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%

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