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Production artist vs graphic design assistant

The differences between production artists and graphic design assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a production artist and a graphic design assistant. Additionally, a production artist has an average salary of $61,870, which is higher than the $40,835 average annual salary of a graphic design assistant.

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

Production artist vs graphic design assistant overview

Production ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Yearly salary$61,870$40,835
Hourly rate$29.75$19.63
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs59,10354,021
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a production artist do?

A production artist is responsible for managing digital content, meeting clients' standard specifications and requests for successful project completion. Production artists must have computer proficiency, especially on utilizing various software tools and applications to create illustrations and layouts. They also work closely with the creative team, cooperating in brainstorming sessions to ensure the consistency for each assigned task. A production artist should be keen on details, adjusting outputs as needed to maintain the highest quality for the actual presentation.

What does a graphic design assistant do?

Graphic Design Assistants help graphic designers in creating art, fulfilling orders, and managing the studio. They may be budding graphic designers looking for industry experience or creative professionals interested in getting into the graphic designing industry. They should be familiar with the different tools and concepts involved in graphic design. Graphic Design Assistants help lead graphic designers to complete different activities. They may assist by lining, coloring, rendering, and adding finishing touches to the designs. They may also be in charge of packaging physical art and booking shipments to buyers. Graphic Design Assistants should be able to showcase their creative prowess. They are welcome to pitch in designs, critique art, and provide input.

Production artist vs graphic design assistant salary

Production artists and graphic design assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Average salary$61,870$40,835
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $94,000Between $28,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew York
Best paying companyAppleGoogle
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between production artist and graphic design assistant education

There are a few differences between a production artist and a graphic design assistant in terms of educational background:

Production ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Production artist vs graphic design assistant demographics

Here are the differences between production artists' and graphic design assistants' demographics:

Production ArtistGraphic Design Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 57.2% Female, 42.8%Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%
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 production artist and graphic design assistant duties and responsibilities

Production artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage print jobs, design, copywriting.
  • Produce and code HTML emails that are browser/email client-friendly, as well code landing pages in CSS.
  • Code web pages with HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and WordPress.
  • Update and maintain CMS website.
  • Work almost daily in the mac studio.
  • Submit sketch approvals to USDA for their review.
  • Show more

Graphic design assistant example responsibilities.

  • Administer company website using PHP coding and manage Instagram/Facebook profiles.
  • Approve lab dips, embroidery size and placement, strike offs, screen prints, and appliques.
  • Supervise production staff that used embroidery machines.
  • Produce: technical drawings, illustrations, animations, PowerPoint presentations and relate graphics for organization.
  • Design PowerPoint presentations with sound/video; replace low-resolution images with high-resolution images in presentations and client proposals.
  • Coordinate photography orders with vendors at direction of creative staff and negotiate image license contracts to maximize company profits.
  • Show more

Production artist vs graphic design assistant skills

Common production artist skills
  • Graphic Design, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 7%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 7%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Production Art, 5%
Common graphic design assistant skills
  • Graphic Design, 14%
  • CAD, 6%
  • Sketch, 5%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%

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